Terri,

I used oil instead of margarine (we don't use butter very often) and ended up with brownies that dried rock-hard, hence the dunking information.

Any brand of cake mix works very well; however, the standard mix size is 18.25 oz. If using a Jiffy cake mix (which I've never seen around here), it will probably take 2 boxes and a bit of measuring or weighing to equate the amount.

With regard to my "weird" cake comment, I've tried a couple of the confetti-type mixes because I liked the idea of the multi-colored end product. Well, looks are one thing, but taste is something else altogether and these mixes just didn't taste pleasant or pleasing at all.

The recipe calls for nuts, but I rarely use them. I do, however, dump in soaked and chopped dried fruits (think dried cherry or strawberry chocolate brownies, etc.) and like the slightly heavier bars. One time I made up a chocolate cake mix, then frosted with a can of pecan-coconut-chocolate frosting; the results were great.

You're right, mixes are cheap! What I like most, though, about this recipe (back of a cake mix) is that I can design my own brownies without keeping a lot of extra ingredients on hand or having to do some shopping. Right now, this alone is a relief.

Enjoy -- Manga, Manga!