Description
Lunchroom ladies brownies, a nostalgic chocolate delight from school cafeterias, bring back memories of childhood comfort. Generations of students have savored these rich, classic brownies that blend simple ingredients with timeless flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup butter, melted
Chocolate and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Combine melted butter and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl, whisking until the mixture becomes glossy and uniform.
- Incorporate sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, blending vigorously until the ingredients are completely integrated and the mixture looks glossy.
- Gently fold flour into the wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing. If desired, fold in chopped nuts for added texture.
- Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, ensuring a smooth surface for consistent baking.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking time. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge with a few moist crumbs, indicating perfect brownie consistency.
- While brownies are still warm, prepare the frosting by whisking butter, cocoa powder, milk, and powdered sugar until silky and spreadable.
- Immediately spread the frosting over the warm brownies, allowing it to slightly melt into the surface for maximum flavor integration.
- Allow brownies to cool completely at room temperature before cutting into squares for clean, precise edges.
Notes
- Ensure butter is fully melted and at room temperature for smooth batter consistency.
- Toast chopped nuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent sinking in the batter.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, keeping same measurement.
- Create a clean cut by using a warm, wet knife when slicing brownies for perfectly smooth edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg