Chocolate Brownies, with cocoa and chocolate glaze, aren't Sara Lee's fudgy chocolate brownies that I adored in my childhood. However they sure are close! And to me that's a good thing!
(This is an updated post!)
Growing up my mantra might have been "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee!". If you know the jingle from their television commercials, I apologize for this being stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
And even if you don't know the jingle, I hope you know Sara Lee.
Sara Lee was cheesecakes with cherries and graham cracker crusts all in a foil pan and a cardboard top.
Sara Lee was poundcake fresh from the freezer. And for all I know they may still make those, but I know of no more chocolate fudgy brownies in a foil pan with a cardboard top that went straight from the freezer to my mouth.
No more chocolate fudge brownies, I am sad to say. Very, very sad to say..
Sara Lee's chocolate fudge brownies were something we always looked forward to when my parents went out for the evening, or the weekend, or on vacation.
That and Gino's pizza rolls. And maybe a few Swanson TV dinners.
But back to brownies. I don't ever remember my mother baking brownies. She did bake chocolate chip cookies.
She made a Heath Bar cake. I remember a few bundt cakes and apple pies but I don't remember brownies. And I love brownies.
I prefer fudgy brownies over cake brownies. I don't like mixes, but one day I'll tell you my secret for mixes which comes in handy if you need a pan of brownies at the last minute for a school function.
Though they involve a mix they are truly decadent. But other than those, I stay away from mixes.
Just because I can, I guess. However, I've always been on a hunt for something similar to Sara Lee.
There was always something special about the cold fudgy brownies straight from the freezer.
We would thaw them just a bit while getting ready to savor our first bite. One bite through the thick chocolate glaze and then deeper into the fudgy brownie insides, laden with tiny walnut chunks would send a child like me to heaven.
But what really sent me over the top was our babysitter's treatment of the brownies. No joke. I still remember the time she cut the 8" foil pan of iced fudgy brownies into 4 pieces. One for her and three for us kids.
She was clearly not my mother. My mother would have cut 1 inch squares. We loved our babysitter. And she rewarded us with treasure in the form of fudgy brownies.
I finally found a brownie that reminds me of Sara Lee fudgy brownies AND they are about as close to SARA LEE as I think I'm ever going to find.
They are best, IMO, straight out of the fridge. Cold and chewy, with tiny toasted walnut chunks, these fudgy brownies remind me of those I ate years ago. Truthfully, I couldn't tell the difference. Or perhaps my memory is not as good as it used to be.
But, if you need a simple, but decadent brownie, these chocolate brownies with chocolate glaze are it.
And though no one ever needs a brownie, sometimes your day goes a bit better with one. That's all I'm sayin'.
Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee.
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And a few more you may want to check out:
More Brownies:
White Chocolate Blueberry Brownies
Recipe
Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Glaze
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 45 Minutes
- Yield: 1 8" pan 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
2 eggs
¾ c sugar
1 t vanilla
½ c melted butter
2 T milk
¾ c cocoa
⅔ c unbleached flour
¼ t baking powder
¼ t salt
½ to 1 c toasted, chopped walnuts
Glaze
4 T unsalted butter
1 oz semisweet chocolate
¼ c sugar
3 T milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine eggs with sugar and vanilla. Add butter and milk.
Stir cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt together. Combine with egg mixture. Stir in nuts.
Spread into a greased 8″ square pan or one lined with parchment paper.
Bake 25 minutes. These should still be a bit fudgy. (If you stick toothpick in, there should still be some crumbs sticking to it.) Allow to cool before glazing.
To Make Chocolate Glaze:
Melt butter over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and add chocolate, sugar and milk. Continue heating over low heat, stirring often until mixture is smooth. Don’t let this boil.
Pour hot glaze over cooled brownies and refrigerate to chill brownies.
Slice and serve chilled…IMO!
Notes
Modestly adapted from Creative Culinary
Lynn Bryson says
Does anyone remember the blonde chocolate chip refrigerated brownies by Sara Lee??? I miss those so much..... from back in the 70's-
Abbe says
These I do not remember! But I wish I did!
Gloria Roa Baker says
Absolutely love these Abbe, look wonderful and delicious!
Susan says
Oh, the memories of Sara Lee 🙂 I haven't had a brownie in way too long! These look amazing, Abbe!
Nammi says
Oh yummm. I remember when they started to import Sara Lee cakes over here. But as you say once you start baking your own, you don't want to buy boxed cakes, although I do get tempted sometimes. Hope you have a nice weekend
2 Sisters Recipes says
These look perfect and chewy delicious !! We grew up with Sara Lee and adored all their cakes and desserts.
Happy 4th Abby !!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Fun to see these make another appearance! They look terrific. And speaking of terrific, have a terrific 4th!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Darn you! Now I'm going to have to make brownies today. My dessert weak spot. These look fabulous Abbe. Happy 4th.
playingintheworldgame says
Lovely post about something I also remember fondly from my childhood. My post about these delights is here: https://playingintheworldgame.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/sara-lee-all-butter-brownies/ - I also had stumbled across the Pinot Noir recipe but included a different one which also comes very close. I pester Sara Lee a couple of times a year, hoping that they'll get tired of me and just bring them back. My post also includes a link to a Foodservice Direct website where Sara Lee brownies are offered in industrial quantities; I have yet to try any from that source. Thanks for posting this.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I did check their site a long time ago, but with my diet I best stay away from industrial quantities! Keep pestering! And thanks for writing!
Willows Scentials - Natural Soap & Candles says
Well I have dreamed about Sarah Lee's Brownies forever, totally missed them.
Tell my kids you have not had a real Chocolate Brownie until you had Sarah Lee's.
Even my husband hadn't never had it, and I felt like he had really missed out lol.
It was by chance I typed into google praying for something like the Sarah Lee's Brownies from you childhood days (now I am making myself feel old).
Found this blog and recipe and got so excited, and actually started to squeal like a child who had just seen a carnival for the first time.
Now Abbe, being a .au blog, am I right to assume you are in Australia?
Oh gosh I hope so, because I would really like to know what you used for the 'Gjirardelli Sweet Ground Cocoa'.
I am really looking forward to making this, and showing my family what they missed out on!
Barb | Creative Culinary says
How did I miss this Abbe? They are lively brownies aren't they?
Now we have met...time for coffee soon?
Tina @ Tina's Chic says
Chocolate on top of chocolate?! I'm so there.
Laura Dembowski says
Those look incredible! Fudgy is always better than cakey!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Good deal Tricia! And I'm sorry but that song does have a way of sticking with you! You will love these brownies!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Hey Amy! Thanks - I am now singing that song for the rest of the day! Love brownies and these are beautiful. Heading over now to check out the recipe. Thanks
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Amy. Bur really Sara Lee's were pretty darn good especially when that was the only way to get a brownie!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I love homemade brownies - I'm sure that yours are much more delicious that the Sara Lee ones!
Abbe Odenwalder says
You are right. They do have good pound cake. I forgot about that!But the brownies are different than any other brownie I've had!
Amy says
Oh...where have I been? I don't think I've ever tried Sara Lee's chocolate brownies! I only know about their pound cakes. Hm...glad I got this now. Can't wait to try them.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Julia, they are different than many brownies I've had but because they are chilled it makes the brownie very dense and chewey. Let me know what you think!
julia says
I definitely want to try the recipe, i agree with you, fudgey brownies are so much better!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Ronnie, isn't it funny? I remember the cheesecake as great but I really remember the brownies!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Kankakee never had an outlet, we just went to the grocery. You should make these to go with your ham sandwiches and split pea soup!
RonnieVFein says
I think it was when I was a newlywed that the cheesecake came out. But whenever, my husband and I ate at least two per week. They were so creamy and delicious. Never had the brownies! But I'll take your word that they are great.
ChgoJohn says
When I first moved here, there was a Sara Lee "outlet" store but a few blocks away. I was there more than a few times but all good things must come to an end. About 2 years later, a "We're Closing" sign was hung on the door and that was that. I should make these brownies as a tribute to a beautiful relationship that ended far too early. 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Small world, isn't it? Well, it will be fun to meet her! I don't know much about Sara Lee but there brownies stuck with me! So to speak... I'm taking a photography class online for better photos in 30 days. So far I'm not sure what I'm learning but hopefully you will see some results!Just wish I knew how to use the camera!
Kitchen Riffs says
Barb does good stuff - I know her only from her blog, but we somehow determined we actually went to the same high school! (She's originally from St. Louis, where I lived at that time, and returned to a few years ago.) Anyway, Sara Lee may still make their brownies, but sell them only to restaurants and such - I'm under the impression, perhaps incorrect, that they still have a wholesale-only business going. Anyway, great stories and great brownies. Love the milk bottle in your pictures!
Abbe Odenwalder says
They are very good Angie!
Angie Schneider says
These fudge brownies look so good that I want to bake a batch myself too. Off to check the recipe. Thanks, Abbe, for sharing.
I wish you a great weekened!
Angie
Abbe Odenwalder says
Totally agree, Liz!
Liz Berg says
Sara Lee baked goods were always a special treat for us, too! I will check out Barb's recipe...one cannot have too many brownie recipes 🙂