The 3-Ingredient Brownies I Can’t Stop Making (They’re So Fudgy)

I consider myself a brownie connoisseur. Brownies were one of the first things I learned to bake in college, and because I made them from a boxed mix, they were an easy go-to for late-night study sessions.

I still make them all the time and love twists on classics, so when I was scrolling TikTok and saw Matthew Bounds of Your Barefoot Neighbor sharing a viral recipe using boxed brownie mix and sweetened condensed milk, I made it immediately. I even had all the ingredients on hand already—it really is that easy!

In this recipe, boxed brownie mix is combined with two eggs and one can of sweetened condensed milk. That’s it! After baking according to the instructions on the box, the result is the richest, fudgiest brownie you’ve ever tasted. The sweetened condensed milk creates a decadent texture that’s like a mix between freshly-made fudge and a brownie. 

If you’re a big fan of gooey chocolate like I am, then this recipe will be right up your alley. 

Tricks for Prettier Brownies

To ensure the nicest-looking result, my first recommendation is to line the baking dish with parchment paper so you can pull the brownies out easily before slicing. Slicing the brownies outside of the baking dish also avoids damaging the dish with a knife. 

Then, utilize the fridge! I’m a big fan of warm brownies, but if you’ve ever been curious how bakeries get those perfectly sliced squares, the trick is to chill. After your brownies cool completely on the counter, refrigerate them for just 15 minutes. Then, when you slice into them, they’ll hold their shape better—plus, the fridge firms them up for a perfectly dense bite. I don’t recommend chilling longer than 15 minutes with these particular brownies because they’re very fudgy and will get a little too firm to slice easily.

Lastly, before slicing, move the parchment with the chilled brownies onto a cutting board to avoid slicing into your countertop. I use my wooden cutting board, but a sturdy plastic cutting board will work as well.

How To Make My Super Fudgy 3-Ingredient Brownies

To make 16 brownies, you’ll need:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 (16 to 18-ounce) box store-bought brownie mix (I love Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge or Milk Chocolate mixes)
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 large eggs

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, sweetened condensed milk, and eggs. Use a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula to mix all the ingredients until fully combined. The batter is fully mixed when no dry spots of brownie mix remain. Don’t overmix this batter—brownies work best when they’re mixed by hand just until everything is fully combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. The batter will be thicker than traditional brownie batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. If the toothpick comes out with some wet batter on it, bake for 5 more minutes and check again.

Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. Once they’re cool, pull the brownies out of the pan with the parchment paper. Chill them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes if you want a firmer brownie. Place on a sturdy cutting board and slice into them.

Store the brownies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days for optimal freshness. You can also freeze them by wrapping each individual brownie in plastic wrap and placing them in an airtight container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them on the counter until they come to room temperature.

Easy Tweaks

When I want to mix things up with this recipe, I love adding a salty element by swirling in peanut butter. I melt 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter in the microwave for 10 seconds, then I spoon six dollops evenly across the top of the batter. Next, I drag a knife through the batter to create swirls. The peanut butter swirls balance out some of the sweetness in the brownies and create a really pretty effect. 

Another way to upgrade this recipe is by adding in crunchy or melty mix-ins, like nuts or chocolate chips. Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans, chocolate or peanut butter chips, or mini marshmallows for another gooey-sweet element.