A delightful combination of butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and cocoa powder makes these Recess Treat Brownies irresistible.
Ah, the memories of school days! Recess was the highlight of every student’s day, but nothing could compare to the joy of discovering a sweet treat waiting for us in the cafeteria. These “Recess Treat Brownies” take me back to those carefree days. I remember the excitement of trading snacks and sharing desserts with friends. The lunch ladies always had a special way of making even the simplest dishes taste like a gourmet experience. This brownie recipe, with its rich chocolate flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, is a tribute to those wonderful ladies who knew how to put a smile on our faces, one brownie at a time.
What makes this Recess Treat Brownies special ?
The “Recess Treat Brownies” boast several unique selling points:
- Nostalgic Flavor: These brownies capture the essence of classic school cafeteria treats, bringing back cherished memories of childhood.
- Simple Ingredients: Using pantry staples like butter, sugar, eggs, and cocoa powder, these brownies are easy to whip up without any fuss.
- Perfect Texture: The combination of a slightly crispy top and a fudgy center makes these brownies irresistible.
- Quick and Easy: With just a 15-minute prep time and 25-minute bake time, these brownies are perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings in no time.
- Delicious Frosting: The smooth and rich chocolate frosting that melts into the warm brownies adds an extra layer of decadence.
What do you need to make this Recess Treat Brownies special:
Intro: The “Recess Treat Brownies” are made with simple, yet flavorful ingredients that come together to create a deliciously nostalgic dessert. Here’s a closer look at each component and some tips to make the most out of them:
- Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the brownies. Melting the butter helps blend it seamlessly with the sugar, creating a smooth batter.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides the sweetness and contributes to the brownies’ crispy top.
- Eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients together. Make sure they are at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a delightful depth of flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Gives the brownies their rich chocolate flavor. Sift the cocoa powder to avoid any lumps in the batter.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the brownies. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
Pro Tip: For an extra kick of flavor, you can add a pinch of instant coffee granules to the batter. It enhances the chocolate flavor without making the brownies taste like coffee.
Steps to make this Recess Treat Brownies
Intro: Making these “Recess Treat Brownies” is as enjoyable as eating them. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfect brownies every time.
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350˚F. Line a 9”x9” baking pan with foil, ensuring that the foil extends over the sides of the pan. This will make it easier to lift the brownies out once they are baked.
- Mix the Batter: In a mixing bowl, cream together the melted butter and granulated sugar. This step is crucial as it helps to dissolve the sugar, resulting in a smooth batter. Continue mixing until the mixture lightens in color and texture, indicating that the sugar is well incorporated. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder to the wet mixture. Mix just until the batter’s color is uniform, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can result in tougher brownies.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a knife into the center of the brownies. It should come out mostly dry with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to maintain a fudgy texture.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the brownies are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Mix until you achieve a smooth frosting texture. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if too dry or more powdered sugar if too runny.
- Frost the Brownies: Spread the frosting over the brownies while they are still warm. This allows some of the icing to melt into the brownies, enhancing their flavor and texture. Once frosted, cut the brownies into squares. Use the foil to lift them out of the pan for easy serving.
Recess Treat Brownies
A delightful combination of butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and cocoa powder makes these Recess Treat Brownies irresistible.
Ingredients
- For the Brownies:
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- For the Frosting:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Line a 9"x9" baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring that the foil extends over the sides of the pan for easy removal of the brownies later. Grease the foil lightly with non-stick spray or butter.
- Prepare the Brownie Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the melted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process should take approximately 2-3 minutes. Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Gradually add the cocoa powder and flour, blending until the batter is smooth and uniform in color. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Baking:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to ensure a fudgy consistency.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- While the brownies are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Mix until a smooth frosting is achieved. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. If it is too runny, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
- Frost the Brownies:
- Once the brownies have cooled slightly but are still warm, spread the frosting evenly over the top. The warmth from the brownies will help some of the frosting to melt into the surface, enhancing the flavor and texture. Allow the frosted brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- Serving:
- Once the brownies have cooled completely, use the overhanging foil to lift them out of the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into squares of desired size. Serve and enjoy the rich, chocolatey goodness of the Recess Treat Brownies.