This homemade version of Lunch Lady Brownies Recipe is both nostalgic and delicious. If I’m being honest, they’re even better! Do you remember the brownies you would have for dessert during lunch at school? These Lunch Lady brownies are both moist and chewy, which is everything you could ever want in good brownies.
How to Make Lunch Lady Brownie Recipe
One of the reasons why Lunch Lady Brownies are the best is the chocolate frosting for brownies is bursting with flavor, taking them to the next level. I remember back in the day when we would look forward to pizza day at school, and anytime they served dessert, it was always the best!
Related: Yummy Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
The ingredients used in this recipe are very easy to get hold of. Chances are, most of them are lurking in your pantry right now. Plus, they take less than 30 minutes to bake and even less time to prep. They’re perfect to make with your kids.
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Ingredients Needed to Make Lunch Lady Brownies
Ingredients for the Brownie Batter
- Butter – The unsalted butter needs to be slightly melted and cooled
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs – Large is best, and they should be at room temperature.
- Vanilla extract
Ingredients for the Chocolate Frosting
- Butter – We like using unsalted butter, especially in frosting. Make sure the butter is softened before mixing it into the frosting.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Powdered sugar – You can sift the powdered sugar to avoid clumping, but that is optional.
- Milk or heavy cream – This is a personal preference. The cream adds a richer flavor but the milk works great, too.
- Vanilla extract
Directions for Brownies with Icing
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2
Spray your baking dish (13×9) or jelly roll pan (10x15x1) generously with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 3
Beat the melted butter and cocoa powder together in a large bowl until smooth.
Step 4
Beat in flour and sugar until combined without overmixing.
Step 5
Beat in the eggs and vanilla just until incorporated. Don’t overmix.
Step 6
Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
Step 7
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (continue to bake in 5-minute intervals if the brownies are not fully baked).
Step 8
While the brownies are baking, beat all of the frosting ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth.
Tip: The frosting will be thick if you choose heavy cream instead of milk. Use milk if you enjoy a slightly thinner frosting.
Step 9
Allow the brownies to cool for at least 15 minutes before frosting. You want the brownies to still be warm but not hot.
Step 10
Let the frosting set.
Cut and serve or store the brownies in an airtight container.
Helpful Tips and SUGGESTED Variations FOR LUNCH LADY BROWNIES RECIPE
- Not feeling the chocolate overload? Skip the frosting or use a different flavor, like vanilla.
- Want more chocolate? Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the brownie batter! (Even peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or nuts would be yummy, too).
- If you are making extra brownies and want to freeze them, they can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If there are any leftovers, that is.
- You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for these brownies. It depends on your preference or whatever you have on hand.
Lunch Lady Brownies Recipe
This homemade version of Lunch Lady Brownies is both nostalgic and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate Frosting
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (sifting optional)
- ½ cup milk or heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Spray a 10x15x1 jelly roll pan or 13x9 baking dish lightly with cooking spray, set aside
- In a large bowl, beat together melted butter and ½ cup cocoa powder until smooth
- Add flour and sugar and beat until well combined, don’t overbeat though
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth, again don’t overbeat the batter
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish and spread evenly
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
- While the brownies are baking, make the frosting
- Allow the brownies to cool for 15-20 minutes, then frost while brownies are still warm.
- Let set until frosting is set
- Cut to serve or store in an airtight container in a single layer
Frosting:
- If you are sifting the powdered sugar, do that first. The step is optional, however it does make the frosting smoother.
- Beat together all ingredients until smooth
More Easy Dessert Ideas from Kid Activities Blog
- Want easy dessert recipes? Try one of these 20 Super Easy Desserts.
- These Snickerdoodles are the perfect holiday cookie.
- Dutch oven brownies are easy and delicious
- Check out our favorite brownie recipes
- Caramel tastes good on just about everything. This Quick and Easy Caramel Sauce is perfect for apple dipping or ice cream.
- Hot chocolate mug cake is quick, easy and serves one!
- How about chocolate brownie dip?
- Strawberry brownies are really pink brownies!
- Try one of these yummy puppy chow recipe ideas!
- Oh, and try this corner brownie pan if you are a fan of the edge
- While you are at it, check out these lunch box ideas for kids!
- Come and check out this homemade McDonald’s Happy Meal!
Have you tried our Kid Friendly Lunch Lady Brownies Recipe? Share your thoughts with us below!
Uh oh. When does the cream go in?
Hi, Karen! That would be “Step 8: While the brownies are baking, beat all of the frosting ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth”. I hope that helps, and I hope you enjoy your brownies!