These Old Fashioned Brownies with Cooked Icing are a delightful treat, boasting a rich, fudgy brownie base crowned with a smooth, glossy icing. Sweet, decadent, and perfectly balanced, these brownies are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a delicious brownie, each bite a perfect blend of chocolatey goodness and creamy, sugary perfection.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Deeply chocolatey with a sweet, rich icing.
- Textures: Fudgy, dense brownies complemented by a smooth, creamy icing.
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with about 20 minutes of active preparation.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; a perfect recipe for those new to baking!
What You’ll Need
The magic of these Old Fashioned Brownies with Cooked Icing starts with the basic brownie ingredients: rich cocoa, butter, sugar, eggs, and flour to create that irresistible fudgy texture. And don’t forget the secret touch, the cooked icing that adds a layer of sweet, glossy delight to every single brownie.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted Butter – Using unsalted butter allows you to control the exact amount of salt in your brownies’ final flavor.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – This is the star of the show! It gives these brownies their deep chocolate flavor. Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Granulated Sugar – This provides sweetness and helps create the perfect brownie texture.
- Eggs – Eggs help bind the ingredients and give the brownies their structure.
- All-Purpose Flour – This provides structure and helps create those delightful, fudgy brownies.
- Powdered Sugar – This forms the base of the divine cooked icing.
- Milk – This helps create the desired creamy consistency of the icing.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds a touch of warmth and enhances the overall flavor of the brownies.
- Salt – Just a pinch of salt helps balance and enhance the sweetness of the brownies and icing.
Add-ins and Substitutions
Want to customize these brownies? Here are a few ideas:
- Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the brownie batter before baking for a delightful crunch.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.
- Espresso Powder: A teaspoon or two of espresso powder can intensify the chocolate flavor.
How to Make Old Fashioned Brownies with Cooked Icing
Making these Old Fashioned Brownies with Cooked Icing is a straightforward process, and the results are truly worth the effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create this sweet treat.
- Prep the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures the brownies bake evenly and prevents them from sticking.
- Melt the butter and cocoa: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, and salt until well combined. Gradually whisk in the melted butter and cocoa mixture until everything is blended.
- Add dry ingredients: In a separate bowl mix the flour. Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before icing.
- Make the icing: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until the icing is smooth and glossy (about 5–7 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Ice the brownies: Once the brownies have cooled, pour the cooked icing over the top and spread evenly. Allow the icing to set before cutting and serving.
Pro Tip: Be sure to let the brownies cool completely before adding the icing; otherwise, it will melt.
Recipe Tips
Achieving brownie perfection is all about the little details. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the brownie batter can lead to a tougher texture. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Test for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around 25 minutes. The ideal is a toothpick with moist crumbs, and a slightly soft center.
- Cool Completely: Allowing the brownies to cool completely before adding the icing ensures a smooth, even finish.
- Use Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the final taste.
- Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for perfect brownie squares.
FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about Old Fashioned Brownies with Cooked Icing:
- Can I use a different size pan?
You can use a different sized baking pan; however, the baking time may need to be adjusted. - How can I store these brownies?
Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. - Can I make the icing ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the icing ahead of time. Icing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; whisk to re-constitute before using. - Can I freeze the brownies?
Absolutely! Once the brownies and icing have set, you can cut and freeze them. Wrap portions in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze them for up to 1–2 months.
Serving Suggestions
Once you try these brownies, you will want to serve them in every possible way! Here are some fun serving ideas:
- A la Mode: Serve warm brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- With Coffee: Enjoy brownies with a cup of your favorite coffee or espresso.
- Alongside Milk: Nothing beats a classic brownie with a glass of cold milk!
Make This Recipe in Advance
The components of this recipe can be prepared ahead, making them great for gatherings:
- Brownie Batter: The brownie batter can be made up to a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Icing: The cooked icing can be made a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Be sure to whisk before using.
- Storage: Baked and iced brownies can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for longer storage.
Old Fashioned Brownies with Cooked Icing
- Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Yield: 13x9 inch pan 1x
Description
These Old Fashioned Brownies with Cooked Icing are a delightful treat, boasting a rich, fudgy brownie base crowned with a smooth, glossy icing. Sweet, decadent, and perfectly balanced, these brownies are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
BROWNIES
1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
ICING
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
For the brownies, whisk melted butter and cocoa powder in a large bowl.
Add sugar, salt, and vanilla, stirring to combine.
Mix in eggs one at a time.
Stir in flour, then spread batter in a greased 13″9″ pan.
Bake on the center rack for 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Let cool 10-15 minutes before icing.
For the icing, melt butter, milk, and cocoa in a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking until smooth.
Whisk in powdered sugar, bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and pour evenly over brownies. Let icing set before serving.
Store covered at room temperature.
Notes
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the brownie batter can lead to a tougher texture. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
Test for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around 25 minutes. The ideal is a toothpick with moist crumbs, and a slightly soft center.
Cool Completely: Allowing the brownies to cool completely before adding the icing ensures a smooth, even finish.
Use Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the final taste.
Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for perfect brownie squares.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
