Frosted Chocolate Chunk Brownies

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Chocolate, on chocolate, on chocolate. These chocolate chunk brownies are cakey and sweet with the creamiest chocolate frosting on top.

A dish towel that says "Let's stay home" next to a batch of frosted chocolate chunk brownies.

I love a good brownie. Or any cookie bar for that matter. I have made them in many different ways over the years from using cocoa powder to melted chocolate chips. I have made them with marshmallows on top and even experimented in making Nutella brownies. 

A picture showing the cover images for all three cookbooks written by Aileen Clark.

Today I am sharing a wonderfully cakey brownie recipe. They are airier than the chewy variety with the added texture of chocolate chunks mixed in. The perfectly sweet and fluffy chocolate frosting on top knocks this chocolate chunk brownie recipe out of the park.

A close up photo of chocolate chunk brownies with the words "frosted chocolate chunk brownies".

The trick to making cakey chocolate chunk brownies

Here is my secret to making perfectly cakey brownies. I whip the batter. A lot. I used my KitchenAid stand mixer for this but you could easily use a hand mixer or your muscles.

You start by whisking together the butter and sugar in this recipe and you want it to be really light and fluffy. If using a mixer, let it mix for about a minute. If using your hands, you will probably need to double that time. 

Then you slowly mix in the rest of the wet ingredients and mix until it’s light and fluffy again. You want all of that air mixed in with the batter. Continue to repeat this process until everything is incorporated. 

A triple stack of chocolate chunk brownies on a white marble counter top.

Making dark chocolate brownies

If you prefer the flavor of dark chocolate brownies than you can make that change in this recipe. The first time I tested this recipe I actually made them in a dark chocolate variety.

They didn’t “look” quite the way I wanted them to so I switched back to regular chocolate chunk brownies. That’s not to say they didn’t taste great as dark chocolate brownies, they just didn’t photograph well.

To make these chocolate chunk brownies into dark chocolate brownies, swap out the cocoa powder in the brownie batter and frosting to Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa. Leave the chocolate chunks semi-sweet. It adds a nice layer of flavor the brownies. 

Three chocolate chunk brownies on top of a paper towel.

The chocolate frosting

This frosting is so creamy and delicious. It’s made with just a few ingredients: unsweetened cocoa, powdered sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla. It is really important that you take the time to sift the powdered sugar in this recipe.

Otherwise, you will end up with lumpy frosting. Trust me, you do not want lumpy frosting. I know from experience that it takes away from the overall texture of the chocolate chunk brownies. 

A little girl sitting on a kitchen counter holding a whisk covered in chocolate frosting, next to a batch of chocolate chunk brownies.

If you’re not sure how to sift an ingredient, here is how: 

  1. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a mixing bowl
  2. Add your powdered sugar to the strainer
  3. Lightly tap on the side of the strainer until all or most of the powdered sugar has fallen through into the mixing bowl.

This prevents any pieces of powdered sugar that have stuck together into tiny hard rocks. I know, my terms aren’t scientific, but that is what happens. And it makes for a lumpy frosting. Trust me on this and sift your powdered sugar. It’s worth the extra 2 minutes. 

A child's hands holding a chocolate chunk brownie.

An Extra set of hands

Having little helpers is not a requirement, but it makes it a lot more fun! My littlest helped me make the frosting – and reaped the benefits. 

My middle helped me make the brownie batter and acted as my hand model. If you do have kids and want to start inviting them into the kitchen with you, then check out this post on cooking with kids. There are also several kid-specific recipes on my blog. Just search “cooking with kids” to find them.

A little girl licking a whisk coated in chocolate frosting.

Can you freeze brownies?

Yes, you can freeze brownies – even frosted brownies! Here is how:

  1. Start by letting your brownies cool down all the way too room temperature. This will take an hour or longer, depending on the temperature in your house.
  2. Cut the brownies into squares and wrap each one in plastic wrap or foil.
  3. Place each wrapped brownie in a freezer safe container or freezer bag. 
  4. Freeze up to 3 months. 
  5. Defrost at room temperature and enjoy!

You may also like: Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Bars

A close up of 6 frosted chocolate chunk brownies.

Frosted Chocolate Chunk Brownies

Aileen Clark
Chocolate, on chocolate, on chocolate. These chocolate chunk brownies are cakey and sweet with the creamiest chocolate frosting on top.
4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 9
Calories 427 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Chunk Brownies

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Chocolate Frosting

  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1/8 cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

For the Brownies

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 8x8 baking dish and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 1/2 cup melted butter and granulated sugar. Mix until light and fluffy.
  • Add in eggs, one at a time, allowing each to be fully incorporated.
  • Pour in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and continue mixing for 30 seconds.
  • Combine flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a bowl and mix.
  • Working in batches, slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix batter well after each addition.
  • Fold in the chocolate chunks.
  • Pour batter into greased baking dish using a rubber spatula.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

For the Frosting

  • Combine the powdered sugar, 1/4 cup softened butter, milk, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Beat, 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
  • Spread frosting on brownies while still hot.
  • Let brownies fully cool before serving. Store any uneaten brownies in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownieCalories: 427kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 134mgFiber: 2gSugar: 45g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
We love a good batch of brownies and these frosted chocolate chunk brownies are a new family favorite!

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6 Comments

    1. Hi Kim! Yes, they can be frozen. I advise you to let them fully cool first. Then cut them into squares and individually wrap them in foil or plastic wrap. Finally, place them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container to freeze. They should stay fresh for 3 months+.

  1. Oh, wow! I really have to try this recipe. I know what I’m going to use the next time I make brownies!