Jan. 1—Here's a name familiar to anyone who has ever stepped into a kitchen, puzzled over a recipe or wanted to bake an easy cake or a quick batch of brownies: Betty Crocker. Even at the age of ...

To find the best option at the grocery store, I made brownie versions from Pillsbury, Ghirardelli, Duncan Hines, Kodiak Cakes, and Betty Crocker using boxed mixes. Here's how each brownie mix ...

But that's where I get tripped up. Which is the best brownie mix for these last-minute occasions? Should you choose a classic brand like Betty Crocker or reach for a fancier name like Ghirardelli?