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Retro-style Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies. Taking it back to grade school today with these DELICIOUS classic fudge brownies. Picture a fudgy, buttery, milk chocolate brownie base, layered with the most delectable, roll your eyes back good, chocolate icing. These brownies are rich, sweet, and fudgy. Added bonus…these bars require only pantry staple ingredients and take almost no effort to make. They’re sweet, salty, heavy on the chocolate, and every last bite is truly delicious. The perfect treat to enjoy as an afternoon/after-school snack. And equally great for any upcoming fall gatherings…including game days. Basically, they’re pretty perfect for just about everything.

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Every single year around this time, I fall back on “old school” style desserts. The ones that our moms or grandmas would make…and we’d all happily devour. Something about September, the start of school, and fall being only weeks away, always make me crave old-fashioned, vintage-style desserts.

Granted, brownies don’t ever really go out of style per se, but these feel like a classic, retro brownie. Like the ones sold at bake sales, with the most delicious chocolate icing, and sprinkles on top.

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

I don’t say things are perfect almost ever, but these really are pretty perfect. Every single bite just leaves you wanting another.

And, come on, they’re pretty fun too!

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

So the inspiration?

Well like I said, it was really just the time of year. With school starting back up again and a coolness brewing in the air, I wanted to share a dessert that would be great for packing up in lunch boxes, or enjoyed as an after-school treat.

Or of course, a dessert that could be sold at all the upcoming school bake sales.

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Diving into the details – lets start with the brownie

The brownie is, of course, the best part. While maybe not the best part, since it’s really made better with the frosting. But my point is that even without the frosting the brownie is so good.

It’s my crinkle top brownie recipe, just adjusted to be a little less sweet since we’re adding icing.

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

The key is to use melted semi-sweet chocolate chips and a lot of whisked eggs.

The extra chocolate is obvious, but the whisked eggs? You need those to create a crinkly top with a fudgy, rich chocolate brownie underneath. Whisking the eggs prior to mixing creates air within the eggs. This helps to create that delicious crinkly top.

The batter comes together quickly, just melt the chocolate and butter together. Add the sugar, coffee, and vanilla, then stir in the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda.

Nothing fancy at all, but I promise you, this batter yields the best brownies.

Oh, and don’t forget to stir in a handful of chocolate chips at the ends. We love a few chocolate chips swirled throughout our brownies.

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Onto the icing…the only way to make brownies better

Normally, I don’t love an overly sugary icing, but man oh man, I love this icing so much. It really does complete these brownies and gives them an “old-fashioned” vintage vibe.

The icing needs to be thick and fudgy, with a crackly top. Think of a just set top that has glazed over and stiffened, but then underneath is fudgy, loose frosting.

Very old school, very vintage…that’s what I was going for.

The ingredients are simple: butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and milk.

The trick is to whisk in some almost hot milk. The heat from the milk warms the butter and turns the cocoa powder into a rich creamy chocolate.

Once the brownies are cooled, simply spread the icing over top. And that’s it…easy!

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

If you’d like to decorate with sprinkles, now’s the time. Once the frosting sets, it becomes hard on top and the sprinkles will not stick.

If you’re into sprinkles you can have a lot of fun with all the different types. Target has orange and black, monster mash, and graveyard ghouls that are super cute!

When you cut into the bars, the icing will crack into the fudginess underneath. It’s almost magical, and trust me, it’s going to get you excited. One bite is all you need to become addicted…but in a good way. Because nothing beats a really great brownie!

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other back-to-school desserts? Here are a few ideas: 

Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

Gooey Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Homemade Vegan Twix Bars

Salted Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie Snickers Bars

Lastly, if you make these Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 22 brownies
Calories Per Serving: 342 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Chocolate Icing

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper.
    2. In the microwave, melt together the butter and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (stir at 30 second intervals) until melted and smooth. Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and instant coffee. 
    3. In a small bowl whisk the eggs for 1 minute until bubbly on top. Stir the eggs into the chocolate mix. Add the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Stir until just combined. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until the brownies are just set. Let cool.
    4. Meanwhile, make the icing. Add the butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and 1/4 cup warm milk to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until smooth, adding additional warm milk until the frosting becomes thicker, but still drizzly. Taste, adding more sugar if needed. Spread the icing over the bars. Let set 10 minutes, then decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Let set another hour or until dry. Slice, snack, and enjoy! 

Notes

To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour or Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour. 
Storing: These bars keep well for 3-4 days at room temperature or in the fridge. 
To cool the bars quickly for icing: place in freezer for 15 minutes. Remove and frost.
To Bring Eggs to Room Temperature: place the eggs in a bowl and fill with warm water. Let sit 5 minutes.
For extra thick brownies: bake in a 9×9 inch square baking dish for 30-35 minutes. 
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Old Fashioned Iced Fudge Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

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  1. 5 stars
    Holy moly these brownies are off the hook amazingly delicious! Make them, just do it! They are so creamy and fudgy and decadent! MMMM! Thank you for this awesome recipe!

    1. Hey Alison,
      Fantastic! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! Xx