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These brownies are FABULOUS!!! Everyone I have shared them with loves them!!!
Suzanne
Yes, That’s What I Said. Party Brownies!
My sister Kristin has been making these fudgy, sprinkly, crowd-favorite brownies all summer, and I’ve sent her 100 texts to get all the info on this recipe over the last few weeks because I am obsessed with these babies.
Kids love them, adults love them, they’re easy, they’re fun, and they disappear alarmingly fast. They’re PARTY BROWNIES!
The base: a box of brownie mix (affiliate link). I don’t feel bad about this in the slightest. It makes these perfect “party brownies” because you can throw them together at a moment’s notice with minimal effort.
The top layer: an old-fashioned-style chocolate fudge frosting. The kind with the dry, crackly exterior, the kind my mom puts on my dad’s birthday cake every year, the kind that everybody’s grandma has a recipe for somewhere in an old stained church cookbook. It’s so good and it’s the exact top layer I never knew my brownies needed.
I call these party brownies because there is an event to bring them to nearly every weekend.
A pool party at my parents’ house, Bjork’s extended family reunion, an impromptu hangout with friends – the answer to all scenarios is a pan of Party Brownies. ♡
How To Make This Recipe
1
Make Brownie Mix.
I give you permission to use a box of brownie mix. Ghirardelli Double Chocolate is our house favorite. (affiliate link)
2
Make The Frosting / Icing / Fudge Top Layer.
Boil your butter, milk, and sugar for a good 45 seconds. SET A TIMER! We don’t want to over (or under) cook this.
3
Pour Frosting On Brownies.
Add chocolate chips to the boiled frosting and pour immediately over the brownies. It’s going to want to set fast, so let’s go, chop chop, no checking Instagram right now!
4
Add Sprinkles!
Add them to the frosting immediately before it sets!
5
You’re Done. Yum.
LIKE SERIOUSLY REALLY YUM.
Watch How To Make These Brownies
Party Brownies
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 brownies 1x
Description
Brownies covered with a thick layer of fudge frosting and rainbow sprinkles. The best way to jazz up a box of brownie mix!
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (usually 16–18 ounces)
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Make the brownies: Bake the brownies according to package directions in a 9×13 pan or slightly smaller rectangular pan (see note 1). I usually try to let them cool for an hour before frosting them.
- Make the frosting: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt; bring to a consistent boil over medium heat and cook for 45 seconds (it should be at a rolling boil for the full 45 seconds). Set a timer so you don’t overcook it!
- Mix in the chocolate: Turn off the heat and add chocolate chips and stir to combine (if there are stubborn lumps, just whisk it for a minute).
- Frost the brownies: Working quickly, pour the frosting over the brownies and spread evenly and add sprinkles. The frosting will start to set immediately, so don’t be a slow poke with this part (see note 2)!
- Rest and serve: Let the frosting rest for 15-30 minutes, depending on how clean you want your slices to be! Cut, serve, PARTY TIME!
Notes
1. A 9×13 is what my sister always uses – but I also love to use a smaller rectangular pan if you have one (mine is 10.5 x 7.5) to make the whole thing just slightly thicker. A square pan will make the frosting too thick, so I would not recommend that.
2 – If you are scrambling to find your sprinkles when the frosting starts to set on top (been there), just add the sprinkles to the dry-ish top and use the back of a spoon to gently tap them into the frosting a bit so they will hold in place.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: brownies, brownie mix, boxed brownies, easy brownies
These were a bit hit for my family gathering! Everyone loved them, young and old alike! I also reduced the sugar to 1 cup and used salted butter and I was very happy with the results.
My brownies baked for about 24 minutes in the 9×13 in pan.
Definitely going to make again!
These are delicious! I made them in a 9×13 and used two brownie mixes. The ratio of brownie to frosting was great – and still generous! Loved the frosting and the brownies were a hit at the party. Will make again for sure. Thank you for the recipe!
These are delicious, quite sweet in the best kind of way. I have never made an icing like that and it set beautifully.
I would definitely wait the recommended amount of time before slicing.
I never leave comments or reviews but these are SO good I had to! I’ve shared them with multiple families and everyone LOVES them!
Thanks For Share This Blog !! Good Recipe Share With ME !!
Try using coffee for the liquid called for in the brownie box mix. It won’t taste like coffee but does add depth to the chocolate flavor
These brownies are what I want cosmic brownies to taste like!! So good! Also great cold from the refrigerator!
These brownies are delicious! So moist and chocolaty. I love the sprinkles. They make the brownies perfect for a party or casual get together.
These are so tasty! I make the recipe as written, except in an 8×8 pan. I just prefer those proportions! So tasty and easy to prepare for a chocolate treat!
Great easy recipe! My frosting was lumpy after adding the chips but the whisking did the trick and it came out smooth in no time. Next level brownies!
Made this frosting over chocolate cake (sheet pan) a birthday and it was so good
You really do need to work quickly like dump the frosting and spread instantly it gets the texture like the icing on top of donuts
Absolutely delightful this is going to be my go to frosting now for sheet pan cakes
It’s fudgy and delicious
Will you please confirm the cooking time for a single bag of brownie mix in a 13 x 9 (or slightly smaller rectangle) pan? Or, do I follow box instructions for a square and cut the icing recipe in half?
Hi Lauren! Great question! I’d check the brownies at 35 minutes to see if the middle is set and the edges have started to pull away from the pan. If they haven’t, keep checking in 2 minute increments until done. The icing recipe is for a 13 x 9 or slightly smaller pan, so no adjustments needed for that!
Have made these twice, I use 2 boxes of Ghiradelli mix for 9×13. My family loves these brownies!
These are delicious! I think I was too worried about over cooking my frosting that it didn’t boil long enough somehow? It was quite runny. Still insanely delicious though! My daughter says the best frosting she’s ever tasted. So I guess I should practice again!
These are fantastic! I made these for a potluck and they were quickly devoured. I had to go home and make a second batch for my family because I need more of these brownies! These are so easy and tasty – they will definitely be added to the regular dessert rotation.
I haven;t made brownies myself for quite a long time, but this recipe has got me wanting to give it a try again. Party Brownies look and sound delicious!
Can I make the frosting ahead of time, store it in the fridge for a day, and then gently warm to use?
This is really best done right when the fudge is done cooking – I wouldn’t recommend waiting!
My brownie mix is for an 8×8 pan. Do I halve the icing recipe?
These brownies are FABULOUS!!! Everyone I have shared them with loves them!!!
Glad to hear it, Suzanne!
Definitely a PLATE of yum! I made these using Pillsbury Dark Chocolate brownie mix and without sprinkles (☹️) because some people in my house don’t like their texture. This recipe is a keeper!
Fudgy goodness!
These brownies were amazing! I cut the sugar in the frosting down to 1 cup. It still hardened, and they were still plenty sweet. Such an easy way to make boxed brownies more impressive!
Loved these! I used the Ghirardelli mix and baked for 24 minutes in a 9×13 pan. I definitely DO NOT suggest adding flaky sea salt to the brownies before the frosting as this made some bites a little too salty with the salt in the frosting. Otherwise they were easy and delicious and everyone loved them.
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I have the same Ghirardelli box mix, but there are no instructions for baking in a 13×9 pan. How long should I bake? I have both glass and metal pans. Thanks!