I picked up a box of Ina’s brownie mix during our recent travels. I had been wanting to try out a brownie mix for a while. I also had been wanting to give Ina a try in an attempt to get over my anti-Ina-ness. Seeing this box on the shelf seemed a bit like fate. Well, probably not, but I bought it anyway.
I’ve made a few brownie mixes over the years, mostly in my younger days. Never being anywhere near impressed with any of them, I didn’t expect much from this one. I will admit, though, that these brownies are actually not bad. They have almost a cake-like texture and lots of chocolate flavor. I shared these with my co-workers, and they loved them. I am far too honest to take full credit, and they were surprised to hear that I had used a mix. Overall, I would say that these are surprisingly good and would certainly do in a tight. Maybe that Ina knows what she’s doing after all.
October 23rd, 2006 at 4:16 pm
I wondered if they were any good. Thanks for trying them out.
October 24th, 2006 at 5:43 am
I made her recipe from Barefoot Contessa Cookbook a little while ago, but have never tried any of Ina’s mixes. I wonder how much they resemble the ones in her book!
Thanks for the review.
October 24th, 2006 at 9:05 am
hmm, i actually like brownies that are not so cakey- so i probably wouldn’t like these… good to know
October 24th, 2006 at 9:17 am
Oh my gosh, she’s selling a mix???
October 24th, 2006 at 10:45 am
I also wondered if Ina had a similar recipe. I don’t have any of her books, but maybe at Food Network’s website?
Joanie, she apparently has several mixes and other products. Follow the link in this post to the mix, and then click on “other products by Barefoot Contessa Pantry.”
October 24th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Too bad the mix is cakey… I’ve made an oreo version of the actual outrageous brownie recipe from Ina and they are quite fudgy!
October 24th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
I have a bad aversion to mixes – I feel like I’m cheating; I too would have to be honest about using it.
I’ve heard good things about the recipe from her book; I wonder how these compare.
October 24th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I have wanted to make this recipe for a while – might do so around Christmas..it’s good to know the boxed version can be used in a pinch. I’m a big Ina fan – I like that fact that most of her recipes have a short ingredient list!
October 25th, 2006 at 9:42 am
I’m not a huge brownie fan so if I make them, I always just use a mix. I like reading your reviews…keep it up
October 25th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
You don’t like Ina? Well I bet you would like her brownies made from scratch, especially since the boxed kind were good. It’s my new favorite brownie recipe.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
I know, Natalia. I’m trying to get over it. I have recently overcome by anti-Martha-ness, so Ina is next.
October 26th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
I have never tried any of Ina’s mixes but I actually like her show. About this mix??—do you know if there are trans fats in them. Someone told me about a brownie mix from Cherrybrook Kitchen-but I have not tried this one either.
I do think that Ina’s packaging is very nice. Great-so now I want a brownie!!
October 27th, 2006 at 9:54 am
Ellen, I don’t have the package anymore, but I found the nutritional information at Stonewall Kitchen’s website. It doesn’t list any trans fats, but I’m not sure how complete that information is.
October 31st, 2006 at 8:01 am
I have all of her cookbooks. I have made the brownies a number of times and get rave reviews each time. In fact these were my gift for my dad for Father’s Day. He didn’t want anyone to have any other than himself. He kept them in the freezer and then would take them out and place in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds and oh so good.
November 5th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Ina’s Outrageous Brownnie recipe is SO GOOD…I’ve made the oreo version as well..both are rich and fudgy..and oh so decadent. My brother’s request them all the time
November 25th, 2006 at 10:09 am
I got Ina’s Outrageous Brownie recipe after seeing them on a show and made them for a wedding I catered in June. They were a smash hit. I also made her Lemon Bars for the event which disappeared as well. They are both family favourites now!
December 10th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
I love soft and chocolatey brownies so. I love this recipe!!!I have tried other recipes but they were not as good as this recipe.Ina’s recipes are so good.Keep up the GREAT work Ina!!!
June 13th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I bought Ina’s mix and I didn’t like it. I’m not crazy about cake-like brownies. But I liked the way she mixed chocolate chips in with the flour. I’ll use that method when I bake my next batch from scratch.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I just made the Ina Chocolate Ganache Cake. It was awesome in looks and taste (when garnished with mint leaves and fresh berries). For a non-baker, it was an impressive feat.
March 7th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I have made these brownies. They are awesome
and were a big hit with my famly.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Use Ina’s Recipe for these brownies and you will not be sorry. This is my favorite recipe for almost four years. They are not for the faint hearted, even for chocolate lovers.
K
April 16th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hi,
Does anyone have the ingredients that you are supposed to add to the Barefoot Contessa’s Brownie Mix? By mistake, I threw out the box, which of course, had the baking directions on it.
Thanks so much,
Kari
December 18th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I am very pleased that so many of you think that Ina Garten is so wonderful because the pre-mixed foods that her company puts out under the name Bare Foot Contessa brand are horrible. I made one of her coffee cakes for Thanksgiving and everyone Hated it and so did I. Yuk!
The brownies are probably just as disgusting.
January 30th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
I’ve never tried the mix, but the from scratch recipe always gets rave reviews. If you must use a mix, I suggest pouring 1/2 the batter then layering something in the center like chocolate chips or the like, then pouring the rest of the batter on top.