@wirecutter
Instagram · Talking Head Edit
@wirecutter To find the gooiest, fudgiest brownies, we baked 15 batches from boxed mixes and landed on four favorites. (Spoiler: Ghirardelli didn't make the cut.) See all of the finalists at the link in bio.
@wirecutter
Instagram · Talking Head Edit
@wirecutter To find the gooiest, fudgiest brownies, we baked 15 batches from boxed mixes and landed on four favorites. (Spoiler: Ghirardelli didn't make the cut.) See all of the finalists at the link in bio.
Performance
Video #32974 · Talking Head Edit
[01]
The creator, a writer from Wirecutter, presents the results of a blind taste test of over 20 boxed brownie mixes. She reveals the surprising "upset" (Ghirardelli not winning), then details the top picks in different categories: the overall best (Trader Joe's), the best for dark chocolate lovers (Bob's Red Mill), and the best gluten-free option (King Arthur). She uses B-roll and on-screen text to illustrate the qualities of each winning brownie before concluding with a call-to-action to see the full list on the Wirecutter website.
[02]
[03]
[04]
[05]
What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds
Title hook · 35%
WIRECUTTER TASTE TEST The Best Boxed Brownie Mixes
Verbal hook · 50%
The one upset of this whole taste test was definitely Ghirardelli.
Visual hook · 15%
A close-up shot of a pan of rich, dark, fudgy-looking brownies that have been partially eaten, showcasing their appealing texture.
[06]
Steal this for your own video
The one upset of our entire test was definitely .
[07]
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
Start with a controversial 'upset' that challenges a widely held assumption about the topic, creating immediate intrigue and a reason to discover the 'correct' answer.
Payoff
A direct call to action that leverages the established authority and rapport to drive the audience to a primary platform for more detailed information.
[08]
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Upset & Crown
To establish authority by first invalidating a popular belief (the 'upset') and then presenting a new, well-researched hierarchy of 'best in class' options (the 'crown'), segmented for different user needs.
The Contrarian Hook
State a surprising or counter-intuitive finding that debunks a popular favorite or common knowledge, immediately creating an information gap.
The Authority Statement
Briefly explain the rigorous methodology used to arrive at the findings (e.g., 'blind test,' '20+ options'), establishing credibility and the scale of the effort.
The Top Pick Reveal & Caveat
Announce the #1 overall winner, justify its position with specific qualities, and provide a nuanced caveat about who it is (and isn't) for, adding depth to the recommendation.
The Niche Champion Reveal
Introduce a secondary winner that excels in a specific, desirable sub-category, appealing to a more discerning audience segment.
The Specialty Pick Reveal
Present a third winner that serves a practical, needs-based category (like a dietary, budget, or alternative-use option), adding service-journalism value.
The Empathy Bridge
Acknowledge and validate the audience's potential pre-existing loyalties or preferences, disarming disagreement and building rapport before the final call to action.
To find the gooiest, fudgiest brownies, we baked 15 batches from boxed mixes and landed on four favorites. (Spoiler: Ghirardelli didn't make the cut.) See all of the finalists at the link in bio.
title · beginning
WIRECUTTER TASTE TEST The Best Boxed Brownie Mixes
contextual · beginning
Antara Sinha Writer at Wirecutter
informational · beginning
20
informational · middle
THE BEST BOXED BROWNIE MIX Trader Joe's Brownie Truffle Baking Mix
contextual · middle
mini chocolate chips
contextual · middle
not the *prettiest*
informational · middle
BEST FOR DARK-CHOCOLATE LOVERS Bob's Red Mill Fudgy Brownie Mix
contextual · middle
rich, toasty caramel notes
contextual · middle
on the stouter side
informational · middle
BEST GLUTEN-FREE BROWNIE MIX King Arthur Baking Company Gluten-Free
contextual · middle
vanilla and butter aromas
contextual · middle
most expensive of the gluten-free options
branding · end
The Best Boxed Brownie Mix By Antara Sinha
call-to-action · end
To see the rest of our picks, head to Wirecutter.
The one upset of this whole taste test was definitely Ghirardelli. It wasn't even a pick. We did a brand concealed taste test of over 20 different brownie mixes. Here's what we found. Our top pick was Trader Joe's, which we loved for the Goldilocks ideal of milk chocolate to bittersweet. It is a very kid friendly, in a polite way, brownie better if you're looking for something closer to a baked good from a high end better, that's probably not the mix to reach for. One of those unexpected mixes that we really enjoyed was the Bob's Red Mill. It's really best for how richly complex and semi sweet its chocolate flavor is. So if you're someone who really looks for a chocolate forward brownie, this is the pick for you. Our gluten free pick was the King Arthur gluten free brownie mix. It's very excellently chocolaty, balanced, sweet, and the texture was really spot on. I fully understand that if you have your loyalty to a brand because your mom made it for years growing up, we're not gonna be able to convince you to switch it up, then that's totally fine. To tier rest of our picks, head to Wirecutter.