The Fruity Addition That Instantly Upgrades Boxed Brownies

Can you add other types of fruit to brownies?

If you find yourself without dried fruit in your pantry, there's a good chance you have some form of fruit available in your kitchen, whether it's fresh, freeze-dried, frozen, or in the form of jam. You can certainly incorporate any of these fruit varieties into your boxed brownie mix, but each requires a different preparation method. For fresh or frozen fruit, it's best to coat them in flour or cornstarch beforehand. This step is crucial because as the brownies bake, the fruit will release juices that could make the brownies soggy; the dry coating helps mitigate this issue.

Regular dried fruit retains some moisture, while freeze-dried fruit has had all its moisture removed, resulting in a crunchy, dry piece of fruit that packs a punch of flavor. This concentrated flavor allows you to infuse your brownies with fruit essence without affecting their moisture levels. You can grind 1 ½ cups of freeze-dried fruit, such as raspberries or strawberries, into a powder and mix it into the brownie batter, or use it as a colorful topping for the finished brownies.

Using raspberry or strawberry jam is another simple way to incorporate fruit into brownies without complicating the brownie mix preparation. After pouring the brownie batter into a baking pan, you can spoon jam on top and swirl it in. Alternatively, once the brownies are out of the oven, you can spread a thin layer of jam over the top for added flavor.