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These frosted brownies are a childhood FAVORITE!!! This dessert is one mom has been making for decades.

We’ve known and loved these addicting brownies all of our lives, and we love that our own kids know and love them as “Grandma’s Famous Brownies”.

Although most brownie recipes do not have a frosting, the frosting on these bars is so simple and so delicious, it takes regular brownies to a whole new level. It’s a must in our opinion, and what makes them extra special!

For more brownies, try our Nutella Brownies, Mexican Brownies, and Fudgy Brownies.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Extra special. The frosting adds a decadent and creamy texture that provides a perfect balance of sweetness.
  • A feast for the eyes. The glossy finish that makes the brownies look irresistible.
  • Still quick and easy. You’re taking Homemade Brownies to the next level, but they are still ready in only about 30 minutes!

Frosted Brownies Ingredients and Substitutions

Brownie

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 whole eggs – Room temperature eggs because they incorporate better than cold ones.
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder – natural cocoa powder, or Dutch processed cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons milk
  • 1½ tablespoons butter – salted or unsalted
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips Use good-quality chocolate chips. Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate.

How to Make Frosted Brownies

  1. BROWNIE BATTER. Blend melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add and mix well with a wooden spoon.
    • In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
    • Add dry ingredients to the egg mixture until well blended.
  2. BAKE. Spread into a 9×9-inch prepared pan. Bake the brownie base in the oven at 350°F for 27-29 minutes.
  3. FROSTING. Mix sugar, milk, and butter in a small saucepan on medium/high heat. Bring to a boil.
    • Boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips until they are all melted.
    • Pour the chocolate frosting over the brownies immediately. Add sprinkles immediately as well. Let cool.
  • We like to line the pan with parchment paper, but you can also grease and flour the pan.
  • Don’t over-mix. Whisk the dry ingredients first to aerate and equally distribute the ingredients, then combine them with the wet ingredients.
  • If baking at high altitude, use extra-large eggs or add an extra egg. The added moisture will help give the brownies a better texture. 
A close up of cut, frosted brownies topped with sprinkles.
4.95 from 55 votes

Frosted Brownies Recipe

These next-level frosted brownies are a family favorite, delivering soft, chewy, and decadently rich perfection in every bite!
Servings: 9
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 27 minutes
Total: 32 minutes

Ingredients 

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • cup sugar
  • teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Blend melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl. Add eggs and mix well with a wooden spoon.
  • In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add dry ingredients to the egg mixture until well blended.
  • Spread into a 9×9-inch pan. Bake at 350°F for 27-29 minutes.

Frosting

  • Mix sugar, milk, and butter in a small saucepan on medium/high heat. Bring to a boil.
  • Boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips until they are all melted.
  • Pour over brownies immediately. Add sprinkles immediately as well. Let cool.

Video

Notes

Recipe tips.
  • We like to line the pan with parchment paper, but you can also grease and flour the pan.
  • Don’t over-mix. Whisk the dry ingredients first to aerate and equally distribute the ingredients, then combine them with the wet ingredients.
  • If baking at high altitude, use extra-large eggs or add an extra egg. The added moisture will help give the brownies a better texture. 
Store. These brownies can be stored with or without the frosting. Keep them in an airtight container, separate any layers with wax paper, and store them on the counter for 3-4 days.
To freeze, wrap each brownie with plastic and store them together in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 409kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 101mg, Sodium: 308mg, Potassium: 131mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 44g, Vitamin A: 621IU, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Store brownies with or without the frosting. Keep them in an airtight container, separate any layers with wax paper, and store them on the counter for 3-4 days.
Wrap each brownie with plastic nd store together in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. 

This recipe was originally published April 2012.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.95 from 55 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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53 Comments

  1. Jessica says:

    5 stars
    Love these brownies and so many other recipes I have used from Lil Luna !

    1. Lil' Luna Team says:

      I’m so glad you love them!

  2. Karen says:

    5 stars
    These brownies were over the top delish. My family ate them right up.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay! So glad to hear that!

  3. Kelly J says:

    5 stars
    Perfect! We added chocolate chips and peanut butter chips and they were delicious, thank you.

  4. Jane says:

    3 stars
    I made these in a glass 8×8 pan, baked for about 50 minutes and they are still not fully cooked in the middle. They taste good and I will try them again. But I’m going to put them in a 9×13 and double the amount of frosting.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Sorry to hear they didn’t bake through for you. I appreciate the feedback and giving the recipe a try!

  5. STEPHANIE E JARMAN says:

    5 stars
    I just made the frosting to ice box mix brownies and it worked!!! I re-read the recipe many times because I was skeptical that you only need 1 1/2 tablespoons of both butter and milk and 1/3 cup of sugar, especially if you have to boil them but I followed the instructions, boiled for 30 seconds and took off heat, added chocolate chips and poured right away and it was 😃 great! It set so quickly at the edge of the pot so if I didn’t ice immediately there would have been a situation! Thanks for sharing your recipe 💕

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