Lunchroom Ladies Brownies

These Lunchroom Ladies Brownies are a nostalgic trip back to the cafeteria—thick, cakey, and topped with a signature fudge frosting that sets into a slightly crackly “crust.” Unlike dense fudgy brownies, these have a softer crumb that perfectly supports the rich, pour-over icing. The secret is icing them while they are still warm so the glaze bonds to the brownie base.

Lunchroom Ladies Brownies

Ingredients:

How To Make Lunchroom Ladies Brownies:

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and line it with a parchment paper or foil “sling” for easy removal later.

Step 2: Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup of melted butter and 2 cups of sugar. Add the 4 eggs and 4 teaspoons of vanilla, mixing until the texture is smooth. Stir in the flour and cocoa powder until just combined. The batter will be very thick.

Step 3: Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 20/25 minutes. Test with a toothpick; it should come out clean. Do not overbake, as these brownies are best when they remain slightly soft.

Step 4: The 15-Minute Rest: Remove the brownies from the oven and let them sit for exactly 15 minutes. They need to be warm enough to melt the icing slightly, but not so hot that the icing completely disappears into the cake.

Step 5: Ice and Set: While the brownies rest, whisk together the softened butter, milk, cocoa powder, and 3 cups of powdered sugar until smooth. Pour the icing over the warm brownies and spread quickly to the edges.

Step 6: Cool and Slice: Allow the brownies to cool completely at room temperature. This allows the icing to set into a firm, fudgy layer before you lift them out and slice them into squares.