The name comes from the secret ingredient in these brownies which gives them their signature flavor: chocolate pudding mix. But, don’t let the name fool you- these brownies have a lovely chewy texture and a delectable crunch from the addition of nuts. We added peanuts to ours for a really classic flavor combination that is reminiscent of homemade after school treats. Plus, this recipe couldn’t be easier to make.

To make these yummy brownies you start by combining the dry ingredients. The wet ingredients are mixed separately and after the two are mixed then the nuts are folded in. This last step is optional. However, the nuts really do add a lovely texture and taste to these springy brownies.

Then you bake it for 35 minutes for a nice, chewy brownie. If you like your brownies a little on the fugdy side then you’ll want to take these out sooner. How long to bake brownies is an extremely personal choice as every family seems to have their own preferences in this matter (and rightly so).

This brownie recipe hails from the 1960s when box mixes simplified a whole range of recipes from cakes to cookies to brownies and beyond. This type of cooking made it even easier for busy home cooks to create homemade dishes and recipes like these were pretty common, even among stay-at-home housewives.

For many folks recipes like these really bring back a lot of memories. This was back when cookies (or brownies) and milk was a perfectly acceptable afternoon snack- one most kids eagerly looked forward to. When a recipe is this easy to prepare then it’s all the more reason for a little trip down memory lane.

Makes 16 brownies

20 minutes active, 35 minutes inactive

Ingredients
  • 1 3.9 ounce-box instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/3 cup butter (melted)
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup nuts (optional)
Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
  2. Combine pudding mix, flour, and baking powder.
  3. In a separate bowl mix melted butter and sugar, then add to dry ingredients.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time and add vanilla extract. Fold in nuts.
  5. Spread batter into pan and bake for 35 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

Recipe adapted from Domestically Speaking.

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