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Perfect Lunch Lady Brownies Recipe

4.7 from 79 reviews

Perfect Lunch Lady Brownies are fudgy, rich, and topped with a glossy chocolate frosting that melts in your mouth. This classic recipe combines melted butter and cocoa powder with eggs and sugar to create a deeply chocolatey base, while a smooth, honey-sweetened frosting adds an indulgent finish. These brownies bake up dense and chewy with slightly crispy edges, making them truly irresistible for any chocolate lover.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brownies:

  • 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder

For the Frosting:

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 4 tablespoons heavy cream (adjust for consistency)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra paper hanging over the sides to easily lift out the brownies later. If you don’t have parchment, non-stick spray can be used as an alternative.
  2. Melt the Butter: Gently melt the butter on the stovetop or in the microwave until smooth and golden. This will give the brownies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  3. Whisk Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy without any lumps.
  4. Add Cocoa Powder and Vanilla: Sift in the unsweetened cocoa powder and add the vanilla extract. Whisk until the batter is silky and evenly combined, revealing a rich chocolate color.
  5. Add Eggs: Crack the eggs in one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. The batter will thicken and come together as you mix.
  6. Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture fudgy rather than cakey.
  7. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula, making sure to cover every corner.
  8. Bake the Brownies: Bake in the preheated oven for 26 to 32 minutes. Check at 26 minutes with a toothpick; the brownies should have moist crumbs but no wet batter. The edges might get slightly crispy, which adds to the delicious texture.
  9. Make the Frosting: While the brownies cool, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in cocoa powder, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and honey until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
  10. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until the frosting thickens but remains spreadable. Adjust consistency with a bit more heavy cream if needed.
  11. Frost the Brownies: Once the brownies have cooled completely, generously spread the frosting evenly over the top. Let the brownies set until the frosting is firm enough to cut cleanly into squares.

Notes

  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for best chocolate flavor and richness.
  • A pinch of sea salt sprinkled on top of the frosting adds a delightful sweet-and-salty contrast.
  • For a nutty crunch, fold in chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter before baking.
  • Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • For freezing, cut into squares and freeze on a baking sheet before wrapping individually and storing in a freezer-safe bag.

Keywords: Lunch Lady Brownies, fudgy brownies, chocolate brownies, brownie frosting, classic brownies