Lunch Lady Brownies are a nostalgic dessert that many remember from school cafeterias, famous for their fudgy texture and sweet, gooey topping. They typically feature a simple base with a thick, chocolatey icing layer on top. Here’s a recipe to make these delicious brownies at home:
Ingredients:
For the Brownie Base:
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions:
1. Make the Brownie Base:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before adding the frosting.
2. Make the Frosting:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the milk and cocoa powder, bringing the mixture to a boil. Once it begins to boil, remove from heat.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the frosting over the cooled brownies and spread it out evenly.
3. Finishing Touches:
- Allow the frosting to set for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
- Cut into 24 pieces or adjust to your preferred size.
Enjoy these nostalgic, rich, and fudgy brownies that are perfect for a dessert or snack!