Lunch Lady Brownies

5 from 2 votes

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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.

A brownie square with frosting on a white plate with milk in the background.

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. 

Top view of iced brownies in a white dish on a red and white checkered tablecloth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple to prepare, making them perfect for busy schedules or last-minute dessert needs.

• With a rich, fudgy texture and a chocolate frosting that melts into the warm brownies, they’re irresistible to chocolate lovers.

• These are great for any occasion, travel well, and can be made ahead of time, making them ideal for parties, potlucks, or just a treat at home.

• Easy steps make this a great kid friendly recipe to try their hand at baking.

Recipe Ingredients 

  • Butter
  • Cocoa
  • Sugar – You will need white and powdered
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Flour – all-purpose
  • Milk

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

top view of ingredients for brownies in bowls.

How to Make Lunch Lady Brownies

Step 1. Add the melted butter, cocoa, and sugar to a large bowl and beat until well combined, about 3 minutes.

Step 3. Spread batter evenly in baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

top view of brownie batter with eggs being mixed into it.

Step 2. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Then Add the flour and stir until combined.

top view of frosting being mixed by electric hand mixer.

Step 4. To make the frosting add the butter, milk, vanilla, and cocoa to a large bowl and beat until the mixture comes together then add the powdered sugar and salt and beat until combined. Frost the brownies while they are still slightly warm.

Recipe FAQs

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.

Close up view of a brownie with a bite taken out of it.

Expert Tips

  • Frost the brownies while they are still warm for the most delicious results. 
  • Beat the butter, cocoa, and sugar well to fully incorporate air, creating a lighter, chewier brownie.
  • The batter will be thick, so use a spatula to spread it evenly to the edges of the pan to ensure uniform baking.
  • Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are ready.
Top view of a brownie being scooped out of the pan.

How to Serve and Store Lunch Lady Brownies

Lunch Lady Brownies are delicious by themselves, but can also be topped with fresh berries, vanilla ice cream, nuts, my homemade caramel dip, or whipped cream.

If you store your brownies at room temperature in an air tight container, they will last about 3-4 days. They will last about a week in an air tight container in the fridge. For longer storage, wrap individual brownies in a piece of plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in a freezer safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature to serve.

top view of brownies in the baking dish, cut into squares
5 from 2 votes

Lunch Lady Brownies

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.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 16 brownies

Ingredients 

For the Brownies

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup cocoa
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Frosting

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
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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!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 16 brownies, Calories: 398kcal, Carbohydrates: 62g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 80mg, Sodium: 169mg, Potassium: 106mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 47g, Vitamin A: 509IU, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 2mg
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31 Comments

  1. Sarah says:

    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!

    1. Melissa says:

      Rest is what I need… I’m just sooooo tired. You understand that one!

  2. Barbara Schieving says:

    Such a touching post. Joan would love it and that you made her lunch lady brownies. Hang in there.

    1. Melissa says:

      Thanks Barbara. I’m hoping to see you sometime in 2016 🙂

  3. Chrissi says:

    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.

    1. Melissa says:

      I think about you all of the time. I can’t believe you are in Indiana. I need to come visit.

  4. Mary Weeks says:

    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

    1. Melissa says:

      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).

  5. AnnaVirginia says:

    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.

    1. Melissa says:

      You are way too kind Anna. I sure like you.

  6. lacier77 says:

    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.

    1. Melissa says:

      I so wish you lived closer too girl!

  7. Diane says:

    Oh goodness. Perspective is right. You made me cry on this one. Peace and healthy thoughts to your entire family from us.

    1. Melissa says:

      Thank you Diane!

  8. Kirsten/Comfortably Domestic says:

    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.

    1. Melissa says:

      Beautifully said friend.

  9. Beka says:

    I’m so sorry for the pain and trials in your life right now! I’m praying for you, dear friend 🙂

    1. Melissa says:

      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 :/

  10. N Haggerty says:

    So sorry to hear all that you are going through. “Love does” persevere. Hang in there!

    1. Melissa says:

      Thanks friend! I need all the encouragement I can get!