We all have those moments; two papers due, an entire book to read by Monday and a presentation to prepare when you suddenly remember your promise to bake for one of your many extracurricular activities. In times like these it can be very difficult to whip up something spectacular from scratch, thus forcing us to reach for the boxed mix of brownies and call it a day. While there is nothing wrong with this, here are a few easy and fast ways to transform those brownies from ordinary to extraordinary. With the addition of simple ingredients to the mix, you can trick anyone into thinking your homework took a back seat to your baking.

**Tips and Tricks**

1. Raspberry Brownies. When you don’t have enough time to whip up these chocolate-raspberry brownies, have no fear. Simply take your brownie mix and prepare per the directions. Once poured into the prepared pan, top with spoonfuls of raspberry jam. Using a knife, swirl the jam into the batter for a fruity twist on the classic bake sale treat.

2. Cheesecake Brownies. Cheesecake and brownies are delicious on their own, so combining them makes for an incredible dessert. Prepare the brownies according to the directions on the box, then pour into prepared pan. Then, beat together with an electric mixer, or by hand, 1 package of room temperature cream cheese, 1 egg and 1/3 cup of sugar. Once the mixture is smooth, dollop on and swirl into the brownie batter. Bake according to package instructions, let cool and then enjoy.

3. S’more Brownies. S’more brownies are a decadent take on a campfire classic. Mix some graham crackers and butter together for an easy crust. Pat down in the pan, then top with brownie batter. Bake 5 minutes less than package directions. Remove from oven and top with mini marshmallows. Bake for 5 more minutes, or until marshmallows are lightly browned (watch carefully if you are afraid of burning the topping). With these treats, no one will miss the time spent skewering marshmallows over the fire.

4. Cookie Dough-Topped Brownies. In an earlier post this year, we showed you how to spruce up simple chocolate chip cookies. One suggestion was the combination of cookie dough and brownie batter. Simply put the brownie batter in a pan and top with cookie dough. Bake for 30-35 minutes and let cool before cutting up the hybrid treat.

5. Brownie Bites. For something unexpected, try this ultimate variation on the brownie bar. Prepare and bake brownies according to the package, then let cool. Using a small biscuit cutter, cut out small circles of brownies. Melt chocolate or white chocolate chips until smooth, then use as a dip for brownie bites. Top with sprinkles, if desired, and leave the treats to harden…so long as you can stand the wait.

Bethany Imondi, a junior studying Government and English at Georgetown University, admits to doctoring up boxed baked goods when her busy schedule doesn’t allow her to spend hours in the kitchen. Read more…