Lunch Lady Brownies are thick, fudgy, and not too “dark”. They are perfect for the milk chocolate lovers in your life. What makes them so delicious? The thick layer of frosting on the top.
Rumor has it that this is the same recipe passed down from years and years of lunch ladies. Do you remember these same brownies being served at your school lunch for dessert? Making these at home is simple and tastes so good!
Lunch Lady Brownies
Is there a more classic dessert than brownies?! I love homemade brownies because they taste delicious but they are also quick to whip up, easy to serve, you can make in advance, and they travel well. Sounds like a winner in my book.
Chocolate frosted brownies are really easy to make and perfect for a budding chef to bake. In a large bowl add the melted butter, cocoa, and sugar. Then add the eggs, vanilla and then mix well. Add the flour and stir until combined. Now place the batter in the baking dish making sure to spread it out nice, even, and all the way to the edges and bake for 22-25 minutes.
The frosting is a must and totally levels up the brownies. Pro tip: frost the brownies while they are still warm for the most delicious results.
How can I tell when brownies are done baking?
The best way to make sure your brownies are cooked all the way through is to insert a toothpick into the center of the pan. If it comes out clean they are done.
Is it better to cut brownies warm or cold?
As tempting as it is to dive into a pan of brownies, you’ll get the best results if you wait to cut them until they are completely cooled. If you cut them before they are thoroughly cooled, you will end up with a gooey mess. To get nice, clean edges just wait to cut them. And because we have frosted these brownies, making sure they are cool will help the frosting not to melt too.
How long will brownies stay fresh?
Brownies taste the best when they are eaten in 3-4 days. However, it is rare that they make it past day 1 at our house. That being said, I think these brownies with chocolate frosting on top last longer than a traditional brownie. The frosting seems to help hold in the moisture.
More Brownie Recipes
- Small Batch Double Chocolate Brownies
- The Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Sundaes
- Homemade Triple Chocolate Brownies
- Cheesecake Brownies
- Perfect Every Time Brownies
If you’ve tried this Lunch Lady Brownie recipe or any other recipe on Bless this Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories AND add your photo to your comment so that other can see your creation.
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Lunch Lady Brownies
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
Description
Lunch Lady Brownies are thick, fudgy, and not too “dark”. They are perfect for the milk chocolate lovers in your life and you won't believe how great the chocolate frosting is on top of a chewy brownie.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 1 cup butter, melted
- ½ cup cocoa
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Frosting
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup cocoa
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish well.
- In a large bowl add the melted butter, cocoa, and sugar. Beat until well combined, about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
- Add the flour and stir until combined.
- Place the batter in the baking dish and spread it out evenly. It will be very thick, so make sure it gets to all of the edges of the pan.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- To make the frosting add the butter, milk, vanilla, and cocoa to a large bowl and beat until the mixture comes together, about 2 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar and salt and beat until combined. Frost the brownies while they are still slightly warm.
- Let cool and them cut and serve. You are going to love these!
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: lunch lady brownies, homemade brownies, how to make brownies, brownies with icing, brownies with frosting, brownies with chocolate frosting, chocolate frosting for brownies recipe
Lunch Lady Brownies are the best brownies you will ever make. They are rich, fudgy, and have the most delicious frosting. I think more brownies with chocolate frosting are needed in your life. I really wish I could bring you a plate.
Heather McKay
I have made these twice in the last week to rave reviews! I took one pan to a family dinner and everyone kept coming back for these. I do love a good bake-and-frost recipe like this where you get to mix it all up, toss it in the pan, bake it and frost it as soon as it's out of the oven so you can make it and be done. I ended up subbing melted coconut oil and 1/2 tsp. salt for the butter in the brownie part of the recipe but still used butter in the frosting and it was still fabulous! Thank you for another keeper!
Tara
My 11 year old made these for dinner tonight! They are amazing!! She made them last night and didn't add the frosting until today. They are so yummy!
★★★★★
Emily
You are so sweet Melissa. I follow you on instagram and love your recipes! I think your a wonderful mother. I'm sorry you've had such a rough few weeks.
Marcia Santos
Such beautiful words ~ I thank you for your generosity. Blessings to you and your family ?
Karen
I circled back around to this post today to tell you how much it has helped me the last couple days. I have two out of three kids throwing up from a stomach bug, so I know well the desperate prayers whispered over the sick and likely soon-to-be sick. The Love Does mantra is helping me through the loads of laundry and endless calls for help, so thanks.
Aimee @ ShugarySweetsa
Love definitely DOES. What a beautiful post 🙂 Hugs to you!!
Melissa
Thanks Aimee. You are a blog ninja, I'm pretty star struck you commented...
Kathy
Bless you and your family. You are an amazing young lady.
Melissa
Kind words are so welcome Kathy. Thank you.
Tonia
So sorry for your difficult times you've been having! Thank you for the reminders of why we sometimes just need to change our perspective. These brownies are the perfect way to remember Joan.
Melissa
Thank you Tonia, I think she'd agree. Long live the Lunch Lady Brownie.
Sarah
Oh you poor mama! I'm glad you had a friend who would make it possible to get to the program. Sweet looking brownies. 🙂 Get some rest!
Melissa
Rest is what I need... I'm just sooooo tired. You understand that one!
Barbara Schieving
Such a touching post. Joan would love it and that you made her lunch lady brownies. Hang in there.
Melissa
Thanks Barbara. I'm hoping to see you sometime in 2016 🙂
Chrissi
Major Melissa, I love you and I miss you. This post is exactly what I needed, and you have spoken to my heart. Praying that you are all healthy again soon and that you can feel strengthened to handle it all. Praying for your cousin and your friend Joan too.
Melissa
I think about you all of the time. I can't believe you are in Indiana. I need to come visit.
Mary Weeks
Hi Melissa, I definitely feel for you, I had a bout with some nasty virus exactly like that several years back with my youngest kids, and I can only imagine what your family and friends must be going through. Your post at least lets me know I'm not alone, thank you. I lost my job September 2nd, my daughter lost nearly everything she owned and her three dogs (my grandbabies) to a house fire...on her 27th birthday October 17th. Although I do not know you personally, I would like to offer you my support, allbeit virtually, and I would love to thank you for your site...it is fantastic! I enjoy it very much.
Mary
Melissa
Mary, I'm so sorry for your losses. My husband's childhood home was lost to fire when he was a teenager and it is something that still affects their lives these 10 years later. You aren't alone friend. I'll add you to my prayer list too (and your daughter).
AnnaVirginia
Thanks for this beautiful post. You have a way with words and it's wonderful to read some similar thoughts to my own that I just don't know how to put into words.
Melissa
You are way too kind Anna. I sure like you.
lacier77
Whoa momma! You are in the thick of it right now! I just cooked up a bunch of food for a friend of mine that's in the thick of it too. I wish I could bring you food, if only to take one thing off your plate! Love does...I like that! Love does make me sorry I don't live closer to give you helping hand.
Melissa
I so wish you lived closer too girl!
Diane
Oh goodness. Perspective is right. You made me cry on this one. Peace and healthy thoughts to your entire family from us.
Melissa
Thank you Diane!
Kirsten/Comfortably Domestic
I adore this post, Melissa. We've all been seemingly thrust in the trenches of motherhood where every little thing can feel like an epic battle to be won. Love, prayer, and perseverance are the only tools required to weather those storms. Then something like the loss of a loved one casts everything in a different light-- one which makes it abundantly clear that Love does.
Melissa
Beautifully said friend.
Beka
I'm so sorry for the pain and trials in your life right now! I'm praying for you, dear friend 🙂
Melissa
We'll get through, we always seem to. Thank you for your kindness though. Pray this baby doesn't get sick, he's my biggest worry :/
N Haggerty
So sorry to hear all that you are going through. "Love does" persevere. Hang in there!
Melissa
Thanks friend! I need all the encouragement I can get!