Lunch Lady Brownies

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Thick, chewy, fudgy brownies with generous chocolate icing are enticing enough to have me eating these Lunch Lady Brownies for dinner. 

This post was originally published eight years ago. I remade these brownies earlier this year while thinking about my friend Joan. I reshot them at the time, knowing that I wanted to share this post again on the 8th anniversary of her passing.

chocolate frosted brownies stacked on white plate with red and white napkin

Chocolate for Joan

My chocolate-loving friend Joan would most definitely approve of eating brownies for dinner! This Lunch Lady Brownie recipe is one of hers that has become a family favorite for us as well.

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Joan passed away unexpectedly on October 22, 2015. While crying and grieving the next day, I decided to bake in memory of her. I spent that weekend making many of her favorites and then shared the sweets with friends.

Joan was passionate about her desserts and I imagine that she would have gotten a kick out of being remembered with an abundance of chocolate.

dark chocolate brownies on parchment lined tray

Lunch Lady Brownies

You’ll need the following ingredients to make the brownies:

  • butter
  • cocoa
  • light brown sugar
  • white sugar
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • all-purpose flour

Chocolate Frosting for Brownies

You’ll need the following ingredients to make the frosting:

  • butter
  • powdered sugar
  • cocoa
  • salt
  • milk
scoops of frosting on top of warm brownies

Lunch Lady Brownies Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan or line with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter, cocoa, brown sugar, and white sugar.

Add the eggs and the vanilla. Whisk again until smooth. Add the flour and stir until combined.

Pour into the prepared pan and use a spatula to spread the thick batter to the corners. Bake for 22-24 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

spreading frosting on brownies

Brownie Frosting Recipe

While the brownies are baking, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt.

Beat with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes, until combined. The mixture will be mostly dry crumbs. Add the milk and beat again for 1-2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.

Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool for just a few minutes. Gently spread the frosting over the brownies while they are still quite warm. Let cool before slicing.

close up photos of brownie with thick chocolate frosting

To know Joan was to love her and laugh with her, she impacted countless lives every single day. In her memory, chocolate recipes have been shared around the internet.

My friends, surround yourself with people who bring you joy. Hug them tight. And eat some chocolate today too, #chocolateforjoan.

chocolate frosted brownie on parchment with spatula

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chocolate frosted brownies stacked on white plate with red and white napkin

Lunch Lady Brownies

5 from 2 votes
Thick, chewy, fudgy brownies with generous chocolate icing are enticing enough to have you eating these Lunch Lady Brownies for dinner. 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 24 minutes
Total Time: 34 minutes
Servings: 18 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup butter melted
  • ½ cup cocoa
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour*

*Gluten-Free Alternative

  • 1⅓ cup brown rice flour
  • ½ cup tapioca starch
  • cup potato starch

Frosting

  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 5 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Brownie Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan or line with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter, cocoa, brown sugar, and white sugar. Add the eggs and the vanilla. Whisk again until smooth. Add the flour and stir until combined.
  • Pour into the prepared pan and use a spatula to spread the thick batter to the corners. Bake for 22-24 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

Frosting Instructions

  • While the brownies are baking, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt. Beat with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes, until combined. The mixture will be mostly dry crumbs. Add the milk and beat again for 1-2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
  • Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool for just a few minutes. Gently spread the frosting over the brownies while they are still quite warm. Let cool before slicing.

Notes

Frost the brownies while they are still warm. The frosting will melt down a bit into the brownies creating an irresistible crust.

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcal · Carbohydrates: 56g · Protein: 4g · Fat: 15g · Saturated Fat: 9g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g · Monounsaturated Fat: 4g · Trans Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 71mg · Sodium: 154mg · Potassium: 111mg · Fiber: 2g · Sugar: 43g · Vitamin A: 453IU · Calcium: 32mg · Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

recipe adapted from and with loving thanks to Chocolate, Chocolate and More

{originally published 10/28/15 – recipe notes updated 10/22/23}

Leave the world a better place #chocolateforjoan

It hurts, friends. It hurts so much. Losing a friend is never easy. It shouldn’t be. Friends impact our lives in countless ways, and really great friends take a piece of our heart with them when they are gone.

I’m a better person for having known Joan Hayes. She was a wonderful friend and she will not be forgotten.

Remembering Joan Hayes of Chocolate, Chocolate and More #chocolateforjoan

There are so many memories. The time Joan ordered ALL THE FOODS on the Snooze menu because she couldn’t narrow it down and wanted to at least taste everything. The times she refused to eat a subpar dessert because it wasn’t worth the calories.

The countless times she laughed and said that fruit isn’t dessert, chocolate is the only real dessert. Laughing as she confidently asked a chef if he was sure there wasn’t something fabulous hiding in the kitchen that wasn’t on the menu and then watching in amazement at the tray of chocolate desserts that were magically provided.

The night she said, “We should just stay up all night, we’re halfway there already.” Seven hours later, with blurry eyes and an aching side from hours and hours of laughter, we dropped her off at the airport.

Joan was a master at making every moment of life the best it could possibly be.

Remembering Joan Hayes of Chocolate, Chocolate and More #chocolateforjoan

We walked up and down the beach in St. Thomas, talking about our kids, and dreams for the next few years, and the crazy world of blogging. Joan called this past year her “year of travel.”

She met online friends in person and made countless new friends and memories. I’m happy that so many of us were able to hug the neck of our sweet friend and get to know her in person this year, as well as online.

The last time I saw her was in Georgia while I was visiting my family there. She drove up to Augusta, over 3 hours each way, just so that we could spend a few hours together. Not because “I” was important, but because relationships were important to her.

Joan loved spending time with friends and family and she lived her life to the fullest. She was one of the least pretentious, friendliest, and absolutely real people I’ve ever known.

Wandering around Augusta, GA together, we browsed antique stores looking for old silverware. Later we found a bakery to try.

She sweet talked the staff into pulling cakes out of the cold case so she could photograph them by the window and remember them to re-create the recipes at home.

Ordering a slice of every single dessert in that bakery, so she could taste each one. Laughing as we packed and took home two shopping bags full of the remaining desserts to share with my family.

Remembering Joan Hayes of Chocolate, Chocolate and More #chocolateforjoan

Joan was an indescribably generous person. She achieved great success professionally and she shared her knowledge, her phenomenal social media reach, her blog’s traffic, every aspect of her success was shared with others.

She believed with every bit of her heart that blogging should be part of a community and never a competition. She helped everyone she met and made everyone’s life better just by knowing her.

Joan was the most prepared for death person I have ever known. She wanted to know that her children would be taken care of no matter what. She told everyone to “put it in writing” and “make sure everyone knows your intentions.”

It breaks my heart that her message to BE PREPARED turned out to be such practical advice instead of the hypothetical wisdom I would much rather it have been.

Her family was her world and she loved her kids so much that I ache for them right now. Joan’s love of life, family, and chocolate was evident through her blog, Chocolate, Chocolate, and More.

She created a chocolate-filled legacy for her family. Her dream was that her blog would help support her family over the coming years.

Sweets and treats from Chocolate, Chocolate and More #chocolateforjoan

Joan died of a massive heart attack in the middle of the night. She was only 49 years old. She mentioned a stomach ache before going to sleep, not recognizing this is one of the signs of a possible impending event. (Many women think they are getting the flu prior to a heart attack.)

Please read through these Heart Attack Symptoms and always get checked out if you experience any of these and share them with your friends and family.

In Memory of Joan Hayes founder of Chocolate, Chocolate and More #chocolateforjoan - Photo Credit: Shanna Schad
Joan Hayes 1966-2015, Photo Credit: Shanna Schad

Most importantly, go now and hug someone special to you, kids, spouse, friend, anyone. No matter what, just do it.

Wake them up, pick them up, get their attention, and tell them you love them. I’m heartsick for the loss of my friend and reminded once again that life is short.

“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

A full list of blog posts dedicated to Joan can be found here

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Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

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  1. Jamie says

    I am sorry but I followed this recipe to the letter and they were dry, not chocolatey or fudgey at all, and after 3 of us tasted them, we threw the whole pan of them in the trash. What a disappointment. There must be something missing or wrong with the recipe. Sorry for the loss of your friend though.

    • Mary Younkin says

      Hi Jamie, it is possible that they overcooked? I can’t think of any other reason why they would’ve been dry. I’m sorry for your frustration though!

    • Martha says

      These are DELICIOUS! I doubled the recipe because I knew my family would love them and they did! I plan to make them again soon and I was wondering if I could freeze some for those unexpected occasions that come along.
      My sincere condolences for the loss of your friend and such an amazing friendship. May comfort come to you through faith and God’s promises.5 stars

  2. Karen says

    I remember Joan and her terrific blog and actually made/make many of her recipes to this day. I remember when she passed and it was extremely sad.
    I also had a heart attack at age 54, unexpected. I had no pre-existing conditions and had the normal symptoms, but no one believed me. I realize the medical community is getting better at recognizing women having MI’s, but when this happened I was told I had “anxiety”. Having the widow maker and surviving has been tough in some ways. Now I do have anxiety issues and I did not before! Women need to be persistent when having symptoms and not allow doctor’s to tell you differently. You know your own body!
    I am glad to see you dedicating this day to her and making others aware of heart attack symptoms. Thanks Mary for a wonderful blog and your caring personality. We need good people like you in this world.

    • Mary Younkin says

      I’m so glad that you survived, Karen, and hate that it’s taken so long for the medical community to understand how serious it is. Thanks for taking the time to leave your words here today to encourage us all to pay attention to our bodies and what they may be telling us.

  3. Gaby says

    What a beautiful tribute to your friend, who sounded like am amazing person. She was too young:(

    I will make sure to make this brownie recipe in honor of your friend!

  4. Liz Maresh says

    I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. But that she touched your heart and those of others is a tribute to her life. Please accept my sincerest condolences .