Ultimate Guide to Making Lunchroom Ladies Brownies
Ingredients
All-purpose flour: 2 cups
Granulated sugar: 2 cups
Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), melted
Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/4 cup
Eggs: 4, large
Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Chopped nuts (optional): 1 cup
Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:
Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup (1/2 stick), softened
Milk: 1/4 cup
Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/4 cup
Powdered sugar: 3 cups, sifted
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Make the Brownie Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir until well combined.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. If using, fold in the chopped nuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake to ensure the brownies stay fudgy.
Prepare the Chocolate Frosting:
While the brownies are baking, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter, milk, and cocoa powder until smooth.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
Frost the Brownies:
Allow the brownies to cool slightly in the pan before spreading the frosting on top. For best results, the brownies should be warm but not hot when frosted to help the frosting set properly.
Serve:
Let the frosted brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This will allow the frosting to set and make it easier to get clean cuts.
