Ciara Kimsey

Pudding Brownies are a Back of the Box Nostalgic Recipe

You may recognize this pudding brownie recipe from the back of a Jell-O box, or maybe written on an index card in your grandmother's recipe box. It's a classic because these brownies are so easy to make and they are so, so good. Pudding brownies are a little like a poke cake, where you pour sweetened condensed milk or pudding over a warm cake, except in this recipe the pudding is baked right in. These chocolate brownies are the best!

Although Jell-O chocolate pudding was first introduced in 1936, this particular recipe is from 1968. Back of the box recipes were popular for their convenience; many of those recipes are still around because they're also good. Although brownie mixes are the classic brownie box recipe, using instant chocolate pudding mix is just as delicious.

An indulgent slice of brownie

Ciara Kimsey

If you like to experiment with your dessert recipes, this pudding brownie is a good blank canvas. Add chocolate chips to kick up the chocolate flavor, or swirl a ribbon of peanut butter through the batter. Or keep it old school, the same way your granny did.

However you make them, these nostalgic pudding brownies are sure to be a winner with your family.

Chocolate Pudding Brownies Recipe

slices of pudding brownies

Ciara Kimsey

The steps to make these pudding brownies couldn't be easier. First, preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Then combine the pudding mix, flour and baking powder in a bowl and stir together. Melt the butter in a saucepan or a large glass bowl in the microwave, and add in the melted butter.

Add the sugar, then add one egg at a time and stir until the mixture is smooth. Add the dry ingredients and the teaspoon vanilla extract and mix until combined. If you're using nuts or other add-ins, now's the time to fold those in.

Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes. There's not a lot of liquid in this recipe, so these chocolatey brownies bake up dense and chewy. If you want a more gooey texture, make sure you take the pudding brownies out of the oven a minute or two early.

Jell-O Chocolate Fudge Pudding

Let the brownies cool in the pan before serving. Cut into 18 bars (or make them bigger or smaller based on your preference and how long you want the brownies to last). You can dust them with a little bit of powdered sugar or serve them with ice cream. These brownies are excellent as the foundation for brownie sundaes, just layer a warm brownie in a bowl with vanilla ice cream and top with hot fudge or caramel sauce, nuts and whipped cream.

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Pudding Brownies

You might remember your grandma making pudding brownies from a back of the box recipe. We've got that recipe and you're going to want to try it at home.

  • 1 pkg instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Combine the pudding mix, flour and baking powder in a bowl and stir together. Melt the butter in a saucepan or a large glass bowl in the microwave, and add it in. Add the sugar, then add one egg at a time and stir until the mixture is smooth.
  2. Melt the butter in a saucepan or a large glass bowl in the microwave. Add the sugar, then add one egg at a time and stir until the mixture is smooth. Add the dry ingredients and the vanilla and mix until combined
  3. Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes. Let the brownies cool in the pan before serving.