Chocolatey, tender, and with a cake-like consistency, this Homemade Brownies For A Crowd recipe is delicious and perfect for sharing.
This large-batch brownie recipe is quick to mix and ideal when you need to feed a crowd.
If you enjoy brownies, you may also like Texas Brownies and Cupcake Brownies.
Recipe For A Big Batch of Brownies
This is a family favorite my mom has made many times to feed friends and gatherings. When you have hungry teenagers or a large group, a half sheet pan of these brownies always disappears fast.
The recipe makes a rich chocolate treat that looks and tastes special with a light dusting of powdered sugar. It’s reliable for bake sales, benefit auctions, team dinners, and any event where you need an economical yet satisfying dessert.
A generously greased 12×17 (half sheet) baking sheet is the perfect size. The recipe is budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor, making it a smart choice for feeding many people.
These brownies come together in about ten minutes using common pantry ingredients. If you like big-batch desserts, try Raspberry Crumb Cake next time.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Prepared in a half sheet pan (about 18 × 12 × 1″) to fit a standard home oven; easy to scale for commercial ovens or larger mixers.
- Flexible serving sizes — cut into small bites for parties or larger squares for generous servings.
- Uses simple, everyday ingredients and mixes up in ten minutes or less.
- A great way to use a lot of eggs if you have them on hand.
Ingredients Needed to Brownies For A Crowd:
- Butter (softened)
- Sugar
- Eggs (about 6–7; roughly 1-1/4 cups)
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Salt
- Chopped nuts (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
How to Make a Big Batch of Homemade Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12×17 baking sheet thoroughly.
- Cream the softened butter and sugar together, then stir in the vanilla.
- Add the eggs and beat well until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, salt, and optional chopped nuts). Gradually blend the dry mix into the creamed mixture until evenly incorporated.
- Spread the batter into the prepared baking sheet in an even layer and bake 15–20 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when done.
- Allow the brownies to cool about 20 minutes, then dust evenly with powdered sugar if desired. Cut into pieces and serve.
Easy Homemade Brownies
A larger mixer can make handling this volume easier, but a 4.5-quart mixer will work if you mix carefully at slower speeds to avoid splashing. Once ingredients are combined, you can increase the speed briefly to finish mixing.
Using a fine sifter to dust powdered sugar creates a uniform, attractive finish, but you can also sprinkle it by hand if needed. The powdered sugar is optional but adds a nice visual touch.
Step By Step Instructions
Cream softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, then the eggs, beating until the mixture is smooth. Scrape the bowl sides and bottom with a spatula as needed.
Sift or whisk together the flour, cocoa, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold until combined, then stir in optional chopped nuts.
Spread the batter evenly into the greased half sheet pan and bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes. Let cool before dusting with powdered sugar and cutting into desired-sized pieces.
Serve and enjoy!
More Easy Dessert Recipes:
A few more classic, easy recipes our family enjoys:
- Easy Cowboy Cookie Bars
- Magic Bar Cookies
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
We hope you enjoy these straightforward, crowd-pleasing desserts as much as our family does.
Brownies For A Crowd
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups butter softened
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1-1/4 cup eggs 6–7 eggs
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 cups chopped nuts optional
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar optional
Instructions
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Cream the butter and sugar; add vanilla.
-
Mix in the eggs, beating well.
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Blend in the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into a well-greased 12×17 half sheet pan and bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
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Cool slightly, then sift powdered sugar over the top if desired and cut into squares.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 37 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 7 g
“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian. Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary with specific ingredients; use a nutrition calculator if exact values are important.
Originally posted October 29, 2018; updated April 26, 2023.
