Lunch Lady Brownies
Lunch Lady Brownies are rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with an intense cocoa flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they offer a dense and moist bite that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying alone. This versatile recipe can be customized for dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan options, making it an indulgent and adaptable dessert choice.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with flour substitution)
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Variations
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (for nutty delight)
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks (for chocolate chunk boost)
- Gluten-free option: substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend
- Vegan option: replace butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs or applesauce instead of eggs
- Spiced twist: add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or chili powder
- Prepare Your Ingredients and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Measure all ingredients beforehand to make the process smooth.
- Melt the Butter and Mix with Cocoa: Gently melt the butter using a saucepan or microwave. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth and thoroughly combined, developing the intense chocolate flavor needed for fudgy brownies.
- Combine Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla: In a separate bowl, beat granulated sugar and eggs until thick and glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract to add a subtle, irresistible aroma to the batter.
- Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together: Slowly fold the cocoa-butter mixture into the egg mixture. Then gently incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt, taking care not to overmix to keep the brownies dense and tender rather than cakey.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are set and start pulling away from the pan but the center remains slightly gooey—a hallmark of perfect fudgy brownies.
- Cool and Cut: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out with the parchment paper and slicing. Cooling ensures clean cuts and maintains the delicious fudgy texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to achieve a smoother batter.
- Don’t overbake; remove from oven while the center is still slightly underdone to maintain fudginess.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper to make removing brownies easier.
- Sift dry ingredients like cocoa powder, flour, and salt to prevent lumps and ensure even mixing.
- Chill brownies for about 30 minutes before cutting for neat, clean slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (assuming 16 servings)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Lunch Lady Brownies, fudgy brownies, chocolate brownies, easy brownies, gluten-free brownies, vegan brownies option, rich chocolate dessert