Lunch Lady Brownies

You need more than one brownie recipe. One day you might want a dense, fudgy brownie; another day you might want something more cakey. Maybe you want nuts, maybe you just want a sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar on top. The brownie possibilities are endless! But if you loved those extra-fudgy brownies from the elementary school cafeteria—the ones with a slick of sweet frosting—this recipe is for you.

Lunch lady brownies are super simple by design, since cafeterias have to prep large quantities in a short time. The batter is easy and basic, made with melted butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking cocoa and a touch of baking powder to help them rise. You can have these brownies on the table in less than an hour, complete with a thick, crackly frosting for even more chocolate flavor. It’s a brownie recipe for the masses and one everyone loves—even if it’s just for the nostalgic factor.

Ingredients for Lunch Lady Brownies

• Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar contributes to the tender, fudgy texture.
• Eggs: Eggs add richness and help the brownies rise. Make sure to use room-temperature eggs for baking.
• Vanilla extract: A good vanilla extract enhances the flavor of these homemade brownies.
• Butter: Melted butter provides moisture, flavor and richness to these brownies. Use unsalted butter and melt it before prepping the rest of the recipe. Melted butter also serves as the base of the frosting.
• All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides structure in this lunch lady brownies recipe.
• Baking cocoa: The two types of baking cocoa—natural and Dutch-processed—are mostly interchangeable, though Dutch-processed cocoa offers a smoother chocolate flavor. Hershey’s is still one of the best cocoa powders for baking.
• Baking powder: Baking powder helps the brownies rise during baking. Haven’t baked in a while? Check to make sure your baking powder is still fresh.
• Salt: Just a touch of salt goes a long way in balancing sweetness in any baked goods recipe.
• Frosting: These brownies get a chocolaty frosting made with baking cocoa, melted butter, confectioners’ sugar and milk.

Directions

Step 1: Start the brownie batter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat in the melted butter.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture to the batter and mix well.

Step 3: Bake the brownies

Pour the batter into a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake the brownies until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool them on a wire rack.

Editor’s Tip: One secret to making perfect brownies is to bake them until they have crackling edges and a soft, fully baked center. This will ensure a final chewy texture once cooled.

Step 4: Top them with frosting

Combine the baking cocoa and butter. Stir in the sugar until the mixture is smooth, and add milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Spread the frosting over the brownies.

Lunch Lady Brownies Variations

• Add mix-ins: Dress up these lunch lady brownies however you like. Incorporate mini or regular chocolate chips into the batter, add peanut butter chips, or stir in chopped pecans, walnuts or pistachios.
• Go for dark chocolate: This recipe calls for regular, unsweetened baking cocoa. For a boldly flavored brownie, use a dark chocolate baking cocoa instead.
• Include mint: Love the combination of mint and chocolate? Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the brownie batter or the frosting for a contrast of flavors.

How to Store Lunch Lady Brownies

Store lunch lady brownies in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. They’ll last up to five days at room temperature or a week in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze lunch lady brownies?

You can freeze brownies in an airtight container or wrap them in a layer of storage wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Store the brownies in the freezer for up to three months, then thaw them at room temperature. You can freeze baked, cooled and frosted brownies, or you can freeze unfrosted brownies and frost them before serving them.

Lunch Lady Brownies Tips

Can you make lunch lady brownies with a different frosting?

While the crackly frosting is a signature of lunch lady brownies, you can top them with any other type of frosting. Use a smoother, creamier chocolate frosting recipe, or add more milk to make a thinner topping. You could also try a peanut butter frosting, or you could lighten the overall chocolate flavor by topping the brownies with vanilla frosting.

How do you serve lunch lady brownies?

Lunch lady brownies are an ideal treat on their own, whether as a snack or a dessert. Pair them with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee or a cup of tea. However, you can certainly use them to craft another dessert. Make a brownie sundae with a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce, sprinkles or nuts, or chop up leftover lunch lady brownies to build a brownie trifle.

How can I decorate lunch lady brownies?

You can dress up frosted lunch lady brownies with melted dark or white chocolate, rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips or your favorite chopped nuts.