A box of Duncan Hines brownie mix contains enough dry mix to make around 24 brownies. However, the number of calories per brownie can vary depending on the specific Duncan Hines brownie mix product and preparation method.
Calories per brownie by Duncan Hines product
Here is a breakdown of the approximate calories per brownie for different Duncan Hines brownie mix products:
| Duncan Hines Product | Calories per brownie |
|---|---|
| Duncan Hines Classic Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix | 130 |
| Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix | 140 |
| Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix | 150 |
| Duncan Hines Salted Caramel Brownie Mix | 160 |
| Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Brownie Mix | 180 |
As you can see, the number of calories per brownie ranges from 130 to 180 calories depending on the specific Duncan Hines brownie mix.
Does preparation method affect calories?
Yes, the preparation method can also impact the final calorie count per brownie. Here are some preparation factors that can increase calories per brownie:
- Using oil instead of butter
- Adding extra eggs
- Mixing in chocolate chips, nuts, or other calorie-dense add-ins
For example, the basic Duncan Hines brownie mix instructions call for adding vegetable oil and water. If you instead melt butter and use it in place of oil, each brownie will gain about 36 calories. Likewise, throwing in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips will tack on about 90 more calories per brownie.
Exact number of calories per box
So the total calories per box will depend on:
- The specific Duncan Hines brownie mix product
- The number of brownies the mix makes (usually around 24)
- Any extra ingredients added beyond the basic mix
As an example, here’s a breakdown of the total calories in a box of Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Brownie mix:
- Calories per brownie: 140 calories (with basic preparation)
- Number of brownies per box: 24
- 140 X 24 = 3,360 calories per box
So a box of Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate brownie mix contains approximately 3,360 calories total. Of course, this will vary if you add additional ingredients or get more or fewer brownies out of the box.
Nutrition facts per serving
The Dunkan Hines box will also list nutrition facts per serving. Typically, the nutrition facts are based on making 24 brownies, with 1 brownie being 1 serving.
Here are the nutrition facts for a serving (1 brownie) of prepared Duncan Hines Classic Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie mix:
| Amount | Calories |
|---|---|
| 130 | Calories from fat 18 |
| Total Fat 2g | Saturated Fat 0g |
| Trans Fat 0g | Cholesterol 0mg |
| Sodium 85mg | Total Carbohydrate 24g |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | Sugars 18g |
| Protein 1g |
Factors that increase calories
As mentioned above, there are several factors that can increase the calories in a prepared brownie:
- Using butter instead of oil
- Adding extra eggs
- Mixing in additional ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, frosting, etc.
- Making bigger or thicker brownies
- Cutting brownies into fewer, larger portions
Sticking closely to the package instructions without additions will keep the calories lowest. But customizations for a more dense, rich, and indulgent brownie will increase the calorie count.
Tips for lightening brownies
If you’re looking to enjoy Duncan Hines brownies while keeping calories in check, here are some tips:
- Use oil instead of butter
- Swap out half the oil for unsweetened applesauce
- Use egg whites instead of whole eggs
- Replace some of the mix with cocoa powder and additional flour
- Use a sugar subsititute in place of regular sugar
- Stir in some extra vegetables like grated zucchini or pumpkin puree
- Cut brownies into smaller portions
Implementing some of these substitutions and adjustments can save 20-50 calories per brownie, without sacrificing too much flavor or texture.
High protein brownie options
In addition to the traditional Duncan Hines mixes, you can also find high protein, lower calorie brownie options:
- Duncan Hines High Protein Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix – 160 calories, 18g protein per brownie
- Duncan Hines Keto Friendly Fudge Brownie Mix – 120 calories, 5g protein per brownie
- Duncan Hines Protein Brownie Mix – 150 calories, 10g protein per brownie
These provide a protein boost while keeping calories in a reasonable range. They make for a great healthier choice when craving Duncan Hines brownies.
Calorie totals for other Duncan Hines mixes
While this article has focused specifically on traditional Duncan Hines brownie mix, Duncan Hines makes a wide variety of cake, muffin, and dessert mixes. Here’s a run down of calorie totals for some other popular Duncan Hines mixes:
| Duncan Hines Mix | Total Calories per Box |
|---|---|
| Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake Mix | 4,320 calories |
| Duncan Hines Creamy Homestyle Cream Cheese Frosting Mix | 3,600 calories |
| Duncan Hines Classic Butter Golden Cake Mix | 4,320 calories |
| Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix | 3,840 calories |
| Duncan Hines Classic Carrot Cake Mix | 5,040 calories |
| Duncan Hines Blueberry Muffin Mix | 3,888 calories |
| Duncan Hines Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Mix | 4,896 calories |
The calorie count can increase in these mixes too if additional ingredients like oil, eggs, frosting etc. are added during preparation. But this provides a general idea of the calorie totals in other popular Duncan Hines baked goods mixes.
Comparisons to other brands
How does Duncan Hines compare calories-wise to other brands of brownie mix?
Here’s a calorie per brownie comparison between some top brands:
| Brand | Calories per brownie |
|---|---|
| Betty Crocker Brownie Mix | 160 |
| Ghirardelli Brownie Mix | 220 |
| Bakery on Main Brownie Mix | 130 |
| Pillsbury Brownie Mix | 140 |
| Duncan Hines Brownie Mix | 130-180 |
As you can see, Duncan Hines brownies are very comparable calorie-wise to other popular national brands of brownie mix. The calorie count comes out slightly less than Ghirardelli (which is known for being more dense and rich), and similar to Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Bakery on Main.
Are brownies healthy?
While brownies aren’t typically thought of as a “health food”, Duncan Hines brownies and other boxed brownie mixes can be part of balanced diet in moderation. Some potential health benefits of brownies in moderation:
- Provide carbohydrates – Brownies provide a quick source of energy from carbs.
- Contain antioxidants – Cocoa is high in antioxidants which promote health.
- Don’t raise cholesterol – Brownies prepared without butter or eggs won’t affect cholesterol levels.
- Can be vegan – Those avoiding dairy can enjoy brownies made with oil and no eggs/butter.
- Deliver fiber – The white flour in boxed mixes provides a little bit of fiber.
While not the poster child for healthy eating, brownies in moderation can potentially offer some benefits along with their great taste.
Conclusion
So how many calories are in a box of Duncan Hines brownie mix? The exact total can vary, but here are some key takeaways:
- Brownies contain 130-180 calories each depending on Duncan Hines variety
- Total calories per box ranges from 3,000-4,500 with basic preparation
- Butter, oil, eggs, and add-ins can significantly increase calorie count
- High protein, keto, and lighter options are available
- Moderation is key for enjoying brownies as part of healthy diet
Armed with the calorie specifics of Duncan Hines brownie mixes, you can enjoy your chocolate fix while keeping nutrition in mind!
