Blue Funfetti Cake Mix Brownies
Easy, colorful brownies using cake mix for parties, showers, and holidays
These Blue Funfetti Cake Mix Brownies are colorful, easy to make, and perfect when you need a playful dessert for a party, baby shower, holiday, or color-themed celebration. If you have ever wondered whether you can make cake brownies, the answer is yes! This simple method turns a box of cake mix into soft, chewy brownies using cake mix with just a few adjustments.
Update: When I went to make these again, I could not find the Pillsbury Funfetti colored cake mix. However, I did find a blue cake mix at Walmart from Alma’s Culinary Company. It produces a slightly different shade of blue. If you cannot find blue cake mix, use white cake mix and add blue food coloring a little at a time until you reach the shade you want.
I followed the same basic method as my Strawberry Cake Mix Brownie Recipe, but used the colored packages instead of the box. I did not use pudding mix or chocolate chips in this version. I baked the batter in a 9×13-inch dish; for thicker brownies, use an 8×8-inch baking dish or square cake pan and allow extra baking time as needed.
For another fun party treat, use a few of these Blue Cake Mix Brownies in my Blue Muddy Buddie (Puppy Chow) Mix. It is an easy way to carry the same color theme across the dessert table.
Why Make Brownies Using Cake Mix?
Cake mix is a convenient shortcut because the flour, sugar, flavoring, and leavening are already measured. The secret is to ignore the cake directions on the box and use less liquid. The thicker batter bakes into bars instead of a fluffy layer cake.
These funfetti brownies are especially useful when you want a dessert that matches a celebration. Choose a colored mix, start with white cake mix and tint it, or fold in coordinating sprinkles.
Fun Facts About Cake Brownies
- Cake mix and brownie mix contain many of the same basic dry ingredients, but their proportions and box directions are designed for different textures.
- Reducing the liquid helps cake-mix batter bake into a denser, sliceable bar.
- Oil encourages a moist, chewy texture, while an extra egg generally creates more structure and a cakier result.
- Light-colored batters are easy to customize with food coloring, extracts, sprinkles, or baking chips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cake mix and brownie mix?
Traditional brownies are usually dense, moist, and chewy, while cake is lighter, softer, and more airy. Changing the amount of eggs, oil, and other liquid allows cake mix to produce a brownie-like bar.
Can cake mix make brownies?
Yes. Do not follow the cake directions printed on the box. Use the ingredient amounts in the recipe so the batter stays thick enough to bake as brownies rather than cake.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Funfetti Brownies
- Line or grease the pan: This makes the bars easier to remove and helps protect the edges from sticking.
- Mix only until combined: Overmixing can make the finished bars tougher. The batter will be much thicker than regular cake batter.
- Add color carefully: Gel food coloring gives vivid color without adding much liquid. Start with a small amount and add more as needed.
- Choose the right sprinkles: Jimmies usually hold their shape better than nonpareils, which can bleed into the batter.
- Do not overbake: Begin checking near the lower end of the recipe’s baking range. The center should look set, and a tester may have a few moist crumbs.
- Cool before cutting: Let the brownies cool completely for cleaner squares. A plastic knife can also reduce sticking.
- Adjust for pan size: A 9×13-inch pan creates thinner bars; an 8×8-inch pan creates thicker bars and may require more time in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these blue funfetti brownies at birthday parties, baby showers, school events, game-day gatherings, or patriotic celebrations. Cut them into small squares for a dessert tray, or use a cookie cutter to create simple shapes after the slab has cooled.
- Top each square with a swirl of vanilla frosting and extra sprinkles.
- Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate for contrast.
- Layer brownie cubes with whipped topping for individual dessert cups.
- Arrange them beside other color-coordinated treats for a themed dessert board.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Room temperature: Keep cooled brownies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment or wax paper between layers so decorated tops do not stick.
Refrigerator: Refrigerate for up to 5 days if the brownies have a perishable frosting or topping. Let them sit at room temperature briefly before serving for a softer texture.
Freezer: Wrap individual unfrosted brownies tightly, place them in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature while still wrapped to help prevent condensation from making the surface sticky.
Make-ahead tip: Bake the bars one day in advance, cool completely, and store them uncut. Slice and decorate shortly before serving so they look fresh.
ITEMS/INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE – Below are a few items I used, or items similar to them. These are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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Rock on!
~Bobbi
Blue Cake Mix Brownies
Equipment
- 8×8 baking dish or 8×8 cake pan
- OR 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 Pkg, 15.25oz Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix Or any blue cake mix
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 1/4 Cup Oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350°. Spray 13 x9 or two 8×8 square pans with cooking spray.
- Combine the cake mix, egg, water and oil in a large bowl or stand mixer.
- Beat on medium for 2 minutes or until well blended. Note: It will be thick. See the picture.
- Spoon into pan(s). You will have to press it down. I used a baggie on my hand and sprayed it with cooking spray.
- Bake @ 350° for 20-25 minutes. Cool for 3 hours unless serving warm, then cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle with powdered (confectioners) sugar.
Notes
Nutrition
I’m totally confused. Above in the recipe their is nothing about pudding mix needed but when I read the comments their adding it. So how do I make the blue brownies
Sorry for the confusion Krystal. Someone was referring to the Strawberry Cake Mix Brownie recipe and asked if they could add the pudding mix and white chocolate chips. I explained she could, but the result would be a little different. If you want, you can refer to that recipe.
Again…sorry for any confusion!! Thanks for asking the question and stopping by!!
Have a great day!
What is the white sprinkled on top ? Powdered sugar?
Yes…sorry for the delay..I was out of commission due to an illness.
Quick question- someone mentioned a pudding mix- how much (small or large box) and do you just throw it in with all the dry cake mix? When do you add the chips in? Can you add the pudding and not the chips?
I usually use the 3.3/3.4 instant pudding mix. Yes, throw it in with the cake mix and no, you don’t have to add the chips. That’s optional.
Thanks for the question 🙂
Have a great day!
Sorry I don’t understand. Do you use the recipe above or the one for the strawberry brownies?
For these, the blue brownies…use the recipe on this page. Thanks so much for stopping by and asking a great question!
Have an awesome day 🙂
Hi Bobbi!
I want to make the blue cake mix brownies but I have a question. Do I add the white chocolate pudding mix and white chocolate chips like in the strawberry cake brownies or just the ingredients posted in the recipe?
Thanks!
Amanda
You can make it either way. I really liked the pudding mix and white chocolate chips better. Totally up to you. If you add the pudding mix, the batter will be a tad thicker and more brownie like than cake like.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for the awesome question!!
Have a great day 😉
WOWWW
This brownies look such fun!
We don’t have here this mix…. but I’d love to try if I could. I love colors in desserts
Winnie recently posted…עוגת שוקולד וגזר
Pretty bright huh? Kids love colors better 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by and checking it out!
Have a wonderful weekend Winnie!