Grandma’s Brownies
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These brownies are special because they are my Grandma’s Brownies. There are no other brownies out there quite like hers. These are the thickest, most indulgent cake fudge brownies you will ever eat with a warm fudge frosting that you literally can sink your teeth into. I’ve been told these are the best brownies…ever!
I’ve been wanting to share this recipe for a long time and I am not quite sure why I haven’t. This is my grandma’s brownie recipe, with no alternations, just hers. I think part of me wanted to keep it just to us because recipes are special…grandma’s are special.
I just visited my grandma with my two daughters and mom and although it was quite the adventure…staying in a hotel for the first time with my 3 year old – of course she got the stomach bug and got sick in bed and then in the car on the way home. The pool at the hotel was of course “out of order” so we were stuck with not a lot to do other than Target dollar bin art stuff (thank God for that though!). With all this said…it was hard, tiring and a little stressful but at the end of the day my 100 year old grandma got to see my girls and we took pictures. It was wonderful.
Since then I’ve been thinking about my grandma. She was the kindest person, funny and loved to bake. I can only hope this is how my granddaughter will describe me someday. Her life has been full…she has loved, been loved, STILL LOVES, ate good food, had the cleanest house in the world, and she made the best freaking brownies.
My mom makes these all the time for her get togethers with friends. They always get devoured and she always gets rave reviews. She laughs because we have eaten these brownies for years and we knew they were good, but I don’t think we realized just how amazing they really are.
First, they are the thickest brownies you will ever eat. The batter is crazy good…so thick and full of cocoa flavor. You will definitely want to lick the spoon for this one.
I love when you spread a batter out and it leaves the “spreading lines.” It just emphasizes how good these are actually going to be.
You bake this delicious batter for about 30 minutes and let it cool until it’s warm then….
they’re topped with the most unusual delicious frosting that sets up like fudge. This is what makes these brownies stand apart from any other brownies out there. The frosting seals in all the goodness and adds a thick layer of additional cocoa flavor and sweetness.
You end up with these – a moist, thick, fudgey brownie with a cocoa fudge icing.
I mean…these look pretty damn good.
Then you bite into one and everything is right in the world. I take a bite of these and yes, I taste an amazing brownie, but I also feel the love of my grandma.
These are special and I am happy to share them with you because I hope they become special to you, too.
Enjoy my friends! Although these are my favorite brownies on the blog, I do offer other wonderful brownie recipes like my Peppermint Brownies with Fudge Ganache, Best Fudge Brownies and Caramel Brownies!
Grandma's Brownies
This brownie recipe is unlike any other brownie out there. This indulgent dessert features a rich, thick cake fudge brownie as its base and is topped with the most delicious fudge frosting creating the most decadent melt-in-your-mouth brownie ever!
Ingredients
Brownies
- 3 sticks (24 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk (suggest using 2% or whole)
- 3//4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 6 tablespoons milk (use at least 2% milk fat)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, making sure the sides hang over the edge of the pan. You can then remove the brownies using the parchment paper to make it easier for cutting.
- Using a stand-alone mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (hand-held mixer works, too) cream together butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.
- Mix the dry ingredients into a bowl: cocoa powder, flour and salt.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk mixing on low speed until incorporated – dry ingredients, milk, dry ingredients, milk then dry ingredients.
- Pour into prepared pan, spread evenly and bake for 30 minutes. Once done baking, let cool for 20-30 minutes before frosting. Don’t completely cool though…you want the brownies to be slightly warm when frosted.
- To make the frosting add the butter, milk and granulated sugar to a saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and boil for one minute. Remove from heat, whisk in salt and 1 cup milk chocolate chips. Whisk vigorously until smooth then immediately pour onto warm brownies spreading before it starts to set - an offset spatula works well for this. The frosting starts to harden quickly so work fast! Let brownies set for at least an one hour before cutting into them.
Notes
You can bake these in an 11×17 pan as well just bake for 25-30 minutes. The brownies won’t be as thick. I usually cut these small because they are very thick and a little goes a long way. Most people seem to enjoy these in “bite size” portions which is why it can make up to 40 small brownies.
Brownies can last 3-4 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Brownies can last up to week in the refrigerator
Brownies can last up to 3 months in the freezer, but their quality and taste will decline if frozen for too long.
Hey Jessica , should the butter be melt or not ??
Nope, you don’t melt the butter for the brownies. Just make sure it’s room temp.
Very good, no doubt about that. However they are more cake like than brownie like
yes! They are more of a cake brownie than a fudge brownie.
Do you think I could double this recipe and cook them in a half sheet pan? I need a lot to bring to a party.
yes that would probably be fine. Just check them half way through. I can tell you that the 9×13 does make a lot. I cut them pretty small because they’re so thick and fudgy.
You say they are thick and fudgy but in other comments you say its cake like. I want thick fudgy brownies not cake like. Which is it ?
Hi Jayne! That does sound confusing for sure. I highly recommend you try this recipe. It’s a brownie recipe that hits everything you love about a brownie – it has deep chocolate flavor, it’s dense and fudge like but also has a velvet crumb to it. I hope this helps!
I just used the last of my granulated sugar on the brownies and don’t want to go to the store. Can I use confectioners sugar for the frosting and how much would I use?
Hi Kimberly – I don’t think that would work. I’m sorry! I’ve never tried it and I would hate for it not to turn out for you.
Oops, I didn’t realize it said not to let the brownies completely cool before frosting. I’m guessing they will still turn out alright, but why is it that it’s better to frost them when still a little warm?
it’s ok! it’s just that when they’re very hot, the frosting will not set as quickly.
Can’t wait to try them. Do you recommend milk or semisweet chocolate for the frosting?
I use semi-sweet but either would work!
My 92 year old mom used to make these exact brownies but could no longer remember the recipe. I am sooo thankful to have found this. I have been craving them!
So glad you found this recipe!
Could you bake in a 9×9 pan? That is usually the size I make brownies in. Or how could I adjust recipe for a 9×9 pan?
Hi Madeline! You will have too much batter for a 9×9 pan. You could either use two 9×9 pans or you can trying halving the recipe. Enjoy!
Is unsweetened cocoa powder ok?
yes!
Jessica, after baking for 30 minutes, should a toothpick come out completely clean? Or is it supposed to be a bit moist still??
it should come out clean! they’re pretty thick so it may have some brownie on it but it shouldn’t be wet.
Hi Jessica, I’m Madelein from South Africa and I just made this recipe. The mouthwatering pictures had me sold! I have to tell you, it’s so refreshing to make a recipe and every step looks exactly like your pictures! The brownies came out perfectly as per your pictures and tasted even better than amazing! This is hands-down the very best frosted brownie I have ever made and tasted. Thank you so much for sharing your Grandma’s recipe… HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Thank you for sharing! I am so glad you enjoy them as much as I do! Happy Holidays to you too!
These were really good. More like a very dense cake but very delicious. Definitely keeping this recipe to make again and again.
thank you!