Bob Mills brownie mix is a popular pre-packaged brownie mix that allows home bakers to easily make delicious brownies in their own kitchens. The mix contains several key ingredients that give the brownies their rich chocolate flavor, chewy texture, and fudgy interior.
The Main Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Bob Mills brownie mix are:
- Sugar
- Enriched bleached wheat flour
- Vegetable oil
- Cocoa powder
- Dextrose
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Natural and artificial flavors
These core ingredients provide the structure, texture, moisture, and of course chocolate taste that make Bob Mills brownies so delicious. Let’s explore each key ingredient in more detail.
Sugar
Sugar is the very first ingredient listed, which means it is the most abundant ingredient in Bob Mills brownie mix. Sugar not only provides sweetness to balance the bitterness of the cocoa powder, but it also helps give the brownies a chewy, cake-like texture.
The specific types of sugars used in Bob Mills brownie mix are:
- Sucrose – This is regular granulated white sugar, which contributes sweetness.
- Corn syrup – A viscous sweetener that keeps the brownies moist and chewy.
- Dextrose – A form of glucose that enhances moisture retention.
Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour
Flour provides the structure and skeletal framework that gives the brownies their distinctive bar shape and texture. Enriched bleached wheat flour has had some vitamins and minerals added back after processing. It results in lighter, fluffier brownies than whole wheat flour would produce.
Vegetable Oil
The vegetable oil, which can include soybean, cottonseed, or palm oil, gives the brownies a rich, moist, and tender crumb. Oil coats the flour proteins and prevents them from forming too much gluten. This results in brownies with a more cakelike than bready consistency.
Cocoa Powder
What would brownies be without chocolate? Bob Mills brownie mix gets its deep chocolate flavor from both natural and Dutch processed cocoa powder. Cocoa powder gives the brownies an intense chocolate taste without adding extra moisture or fat.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a form of glucose derived from corn. It helps retain moisture in baked goods, keeping brownies soft, fudgy, and chewy even after cooling.
Salt
A small amount of salt balances out the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the overall flavor. Salt also strengthens gluten development for slightly chewier brownies.
Baking Powder
The chemical leavener baking powder leads to increased volume and lighter, cakey brownies. It produces carbon dioxide gas bubbles that make the brownie batter rise.
Natural and Artificial Flavors
These flavors ensure the brownies have a rich, chocolatey taste. Natural flavors can come from sources like vanilla or cocoa, while artificial flavors are synthetically created in a lab.
Minor Ingredients
In addition to the major players, Bob Mills brownie mix includes a few other minor ingredients to enhance shelf life, texture, and processing.
Potassium Sorbate
A food-grade preservative that prolongs freshness and prevents mold growth.
Soy Lecithin
An emulsifier made from soybeans that helps blend ingredients together smoothly and evenly disperse the cocoa powder.
Mono- and Diglycerides
Emulsifiers that stop the brownies from forming a skin on top as they bake.
Nutrition Facts
Understanding what is in packaged brownie mix also means looking at the nutrition facts label. Here are the nutrients supplied in a typical 50g serving of Bob Mills fudge brownie mix:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 10mg |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 22g |
| Protein | 2g |
Bob Mills brownie mix provides a significant amount of calories, carbohydrates, sugar, and fat per serving. This reflects the indulgent nature of brownies as a chocolate dessert treat.
Ingredients for Variations
In addition to the original fudge brownie mix, Bob Mills also offers several other brownie mixes with extra ingredients tailored to create different flavored brownies:
Brownie Mix with Walnuts
Contains chopped walnuts that add crunch and nutty flavor.
Double Fudge Brownie Mix
Includes additional cocoa powder for an ultra-chocolaty fudgy brownie.
Brownie Mix with Cream Cheese Swirl
Has packets of cream cheese to mix in for a creamy cheesecake-like swirl.
Salted Caramel Brownie Mix
Features a packet of salted caramel bits to mix throughout the batter.
Cookie Dough Brownies
Contains edible chocolate chip cookie dough pieces that melt into pockets of doughy goodness.
Conclusion
Bob Mills brownie mixes contain a precise balance of ingredients like sugar, flour, chocolate, and leaveners to create high-quality brownies with great homemade taste. While the basic fudge brownie mix focuses on traditional ingredients, the flavored varieties open up options for creating gourmet brownies with mix-ins like nuts, cream cheese, or cookie dough. Understanding what goes into this popular brownie mix makes it easy to whip up a pan of delicious brownies anytime.