The best-tasting brownies: Betty Crocker dark chocolate
Methodology:
Four brands of brownies were tested from box mixes. All the brownies were baked in metal pans at 350 degrees, and used versions that had syrup packets included, if available. An extra egg was also added to each for the "cake style" option. This taste test was done at work, and each taste tester had one small brownie of each type. Thanks to Laurie C. in help with baking all these brownies! We had 42 people participate as taste testers.
Here's how people's top choices ranked:
Betty Crocker= 20 people
Duncan Hines= 11 people
Pillsbury= 6 people
Best Yet(store brand)= 5 people
Betty Crocker really did well, and many said it was very chocolaty. I liked Duncan Hines the best, and really thought that Pillsbury was quite bland. Greg Gorski disliked the Best Yet brownies, saying they were "awful-- dry, with a flat taste." Some thought Duncan Hines was too chewy. The majority, however, seemed to be pleased with all of the brownie options.