August serves up dozens of month-long observances, but this one in particular caught our attention: National Brownies at Brunch Month. 

The opportunity to merge sleeping in late with having dessert for breakfast and easing yourself into an indica or sativa afternoon was too exquisite to pass up. So, we searched for some must-try brownie recipes that you can follow or modify to suit your tastes and wellness needs (no sugar, low fat, etc.) while you party like it’s 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. all month long. 

If you’re a foodie and a weedie, you’ll love knowing that 4/20 has its very own food-focused events. Check out our birthday party invitation to learn what they are. Photo by Tonya Wright on Unsplash

On Brownies and Brunch

Much like having cereal for dinner, having brownies at brunch seems a bit mismatched, almost unnatural. So, how is it that brunch was chosen? The best answer to that question comes from an article by Awareness Days about the event: “[B]rownies are usually treated as an afternoon or after-dinner treat, so this is a gentle nudge to bring them forward and enjoy them earlier in the day.” Otherwise put, why not brunch?

Interestingly, brownies and brunch share the same hometown: Chicago. In the case of brownies, a Chicago socialite named Bertha Palmer came up with the idea to bake cakes that were small enough to serve in boxed lunches, which she wanted to hand out to women at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. To realize her vision, she commissioned the pastry team at Chicago’s Palmer House hotel (a Hilton property today). The team created a dense, rich chocolate confection with crispy edges, topped with walnuts and apricot glaze. (Recipe here.)

The cakes weren’t called “brownies” until roughly 1907, following the 1906 edition of “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.” That edition contained the first recipe with all the ingredients and instructions needed to bake what we know today as brownies — despite the fact that the author, Fannie Farmer, didn’t call them that. The name “brownie” became widely used in American cookbooks as more and more households used Farmer’s recipe though. The Bangor Brownie (recipe here) in the 1912 edition of “Lowney’s Cook Book” is an example.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

As for brunch, in the United States, this trend caught on sometime in the 1930s. According to Evan Jones, author of “American Food: The Gastronomic Story,” Hollywood stars and people rich enough to afford the trips would travel across the country by train and stop off in Chicago for a late-morning meal. Jesse Rhodes of “Smithsonian Magazine” observes that hotels championed this meal because most restaurants were closed on Sundays. (People staying in hotels are typically from different time zones anyhow, so the local-time delineation between morning and mid-day would be irrelevant, too.) As the trend spread throughout the country due to such things as the rise of the automobile, restaurants began opening their doors on Sundays. Before long, they even created brunch-specific menus with such things as sauerkraut juice, clam cocktails and chicken liver omelets.

The word “brunch” is believed to have been coined by British students. Specifically, it’s been attributed to Guy Beringer, who wrote the article “Brunch: A Plea” for publication in the Aug. 1, 1896, issue of “Hunter’s Weekly.” In his article, he makes the case for breaking free from society’s confines through the institution of a meal that “combines the tea or coffee, marmalade and kindred features of [breakfast] with the more solid attributes of [lunch.]” His reason? Doing so enables you to stay out partying later on Saturday nights. He provides supporting reasons too, but is transparent in providing them as less-impassioned, preemptive rebuttals to any moral-high-ground counterarguments.

How the word found its way into U.S. culture is less easy to track down, apparently. A better option, as historian Shelley Thompson points out, is to find how the word found its way into the culture of wherever you live:

“If you’re curious about the history of brunch where you live, you don’t need a degree—just a few good search strategies and a willingness to follow clues. Start with local library resources (many libraries provide access to digitized newspapers), and keep notes as you go so you can compare what you find.”

Don’t limit your brunch to the stereotypical Bloody Mary, Bellini or Mimosa! Boost your brownie high with brunch-friendly THC beverages. Photo by Justin Aikin on Unsplash

Brownies and brunch are both iconoclastic. One defies the traditional texture of cake, and one defies the traditional practice of separating morning meals from mid-day meals. They’re a fine pair of rebels, these two. No wonder they’re entitled to 31 days of fame a year.

Brownie Recipes

Here are links to 10 recipes that sound too amazing not to try, but there are lots more (over 300, combined) in the sources cited at the end of this article. To convert them from regular brownies into pot brownies, simply use cannabis-infused butter (cannabutter) or oil instead of milk-derived butter, or add cannabis in another way. To make your own cannabutter, follow our tutorial here. For dosing guidance, as well as expectations for when the effects will kick in and how long they’ll last, click here. 

To bake pot brownies, substitute milk-derived butter with cannabis-infused butter, which you can make yourself by following our reader-friendly 10-step guide. Photo by Monserrat Soldu from Pexels.com

Get baked!

With the above recipes and countless others available in cookbooks and online, you’ve got plenty of ways to join the nation-wide celebration. Make brownies from scratch (baked or unbaked), buy them from local bakeries, host a brownie brunch, or simply tell a fellow foodie who will be happy simply to learn of the event’s existence. Share photos and recipes on social media with the hashtags #NationalBrowniesAtBrunchMonth and #BrowniesAtBrunch2026 (or whatever the current year is).

Oh! By the way, if you found this article in autumn, hang on to these recipes. You can use them in December for National Brownie Day (Dec. 8).

The information in this article and any included images are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations or your health, you should always consult an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.

Kathleen Hearons is a writer, editor, linguist and voice over actor from Los Angeles. She specializes in creative writing and research-intensive analysis and reporting.

 

Additional Recipes, Sources and Suggested Reading

“36 Brownie Recipes to Satisfy Every Chocolate Craving.” Food Network. Last updated Nov. 21, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/brownie-recipes. 

Antonella. “No-Bake Weed Brownies.” Weed Stripes. Dec. 18, 2025. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://weedstripes.com/no-bake-weed-brownies/. 

Brown, Maegan “The BakerMama.” “Breakfast Brownies.” The BakerMama. March 7, 2026. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://thebakermama.com/recipes/breakfast-brownies/. 

“Brownie Recipes.” Martha Stewart. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.marthastewart.com/1502268/brownie-recipes. 

“Brownie Recipes.” Taste of Home. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/dishes-beverages/brownies/. 

“Brownies.” All Recipes. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/838/desserts/cookies/brownies/. 

“Brownies.” Broma Bakery. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://bromabakery.com/category/desserts/brownies/. 

“Brunch Began as a Victorian Plea to Let Sunday Start Later.” Missed History. May 2026. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.missedhistory.com/article/brunch-origin-1895. 

“Chocolate Brownies.” Veganuary. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://veganuary.com/en-us/recipes/chocolate-brownies/. 

Drummond, Ree. “Mocha Brownies.” The Pioneer Woman. June 7, 2013. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11687/mocha-brownies/. 

Edwards, Emma A. “Easy No Bake Brownies Recipe — Ready in 15 Minutes (No Oven Required!).” Bakelix. Last updated July 29, 2026. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://bakelix.com/no-bake-brownies/#google_vignette. 

Farmer, Fannie Merritt. “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.” 1906. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://archive.org/details/bostoncookingsch00farmrich/page/n5/mode/2up. 

Favorito, AJ. “Raise Your Glass High: The Future of THC Beverages.” Head Magazine. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://headmagazine.com/raise-your-glass-high-the-future-of-thc-beverages/. 

Filson, Mackenzie. “50 Brownie Recipes That Will Earn You Major Brownie Points.” Delish. Last updated Oct. 2, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/g2796/brownie-recipes/. 

Franciosi, Anthony. “How to Make Your Own Cannabis Butter: A Tutorial.” Head Magazine. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://headmagazine.com/how-to-make-your-own-cannabis-butter-a-tutorial/. 

Grimsrud, Devan. “12 Irresistible Brownie Recipes to Satisfy Every Craving.” Simply Recipes. Oct. 26, 2025. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/mexican-hot-chocolate-brownies-3631434. 

Hearons, Kathleen. “Head Magazine’s Birthday Party! Celebrate 4/20 With Us and the Foods That Share Our Day.” Head Magazine. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://headmagazine.com/head-magazines-birthday-party-celebrate-4-20/. 

“How To Make the Perfect Marijuana Brownies.” The Weed Blog. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://theweedblog.com/recipe/how-to-make-perfect-marijuana-brownies. 

Howard, Maria Willett. “Lowney’s Cook Book.” 1912. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://archive.org/details/bwb_S0-ELB-124. 

Kelly, Tammy Fry. “Salted Caramel Brownies.” Veganuary. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://veganuary.com/en-us/recipes/fathers-day-salted-caramel-brownies/. 

Kim. “No-Bake Brownies.” Insanely Good Recipes. Last updated July 24, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/no-bake-brownies/. 

Kim. “Pistachio Brownies.” All Recipes. March 29, 2026. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.allrecipes.com/pistachio-brownies-recipe-11925233. 

Manning, Joy. “Pumpkin Blondies.” Taste of Home. Aug. 19, 2025. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pumpkin-blondies/. 

“Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies.” Food Network. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/mexican-hot-chocolate-brownies-3631434. 

Mike. “The Brunch Historian: A History of Brunch.” Brunch DC. Aug. 7, 2008. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://brunchdc.blogspot.com/2008/08/brunch-historian-history-of-brunch.html. 

Mitchell, Sarah. “Delicious Pot Brownie Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide.” Baking Secret. April 19, 2026. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://bakingsecret.com/pot-brownie-recipe/. 

Miyashiro, Lauren. “Cookie Dough Brownies.” Delish. Last updated March 18, 2019. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a20128171/cookie-dough-brownies-recipe/. 

Monette, Amy. “National Brownies at Brunch Month.” National Day Calendar. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/national-brownies-at-brunch-month-august. 

“National Brownie Day.” Days of the Year. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/brownie-day/. 

“National Brownies At Brunch Month.” Days of the Year. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/national-brownies-at-brunch-month/. 

“National Brownies At Brunch Month 2026.” Awareness Days. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-brownies-at-brunch-month/. 

“Origin and history of brunch.” Etymonline. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.etymonline.com/word/brunch. 

Osborne, Kris. “The 3-Ingredient Brownies I Make When I Need Instant Comfort.” Simply Recipes. Oct. 3, 2025. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.simplyrecipes.com/nutella-brownies-recipe-11815123. 

Palmer House, Hilton. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chiphhh-palmer-house/. 

“Red Velvet Brownies.” Southern Living. Last updated Nov. 2, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.southernliving.com/red-velvet-brownies-6539948. 

Rhodes, Jesse. “The Birth of Brunch: Where Did This Meal Come From Anyway?.” Smithsonian Magazine. May 6, 2011. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-birth-of-brunch-where-did-this-meal-come-from-anyway-164187758/. 

Sarah. “How to Make Brownies Without an Oven (5 Alternative Methods).” Baking Neads. Last updated Jan. 13, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.bakingkneads.com/how-to-make-brownies-without-oven/. 

Sofi. “Copycat Cosmic Brownies.” Broma Bakery. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://bromabakery.com/copycat-cosmic-brownies/. 

Speake, Carol G. “List of August Awareness Months & August National Months.” Always the Holidays. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://alwaystheholidays.com/august-awareness-month/. 

Stewart, Martha. “Peanut-Butter Swirl Brownies.” Martha Stewart. Last updated Jan. 26, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.marthastewart.com/354419/peanut-butter-swirl-brownies. 

“The History of Brunch: Where Did It All Begin?.” Honey & Herb. Nov. 25, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://honey-and-herb.com/the-history-of-brunch-where-did-it-all-begin/. 

“The Palmer House Brownie Recipe For Brownies At Brunch Month.” The Nibble Blog. Last updated Aug. 19, 2025. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://blog.thenibble.com/2025/08/19/the-palmer-house-brownie-recipe-for-brownies-at-brunch-month/. 

Thompson, Shelley. “How Brunch Became and American Weekend Tradition: A Short, Surprising History.” Best History Class. May 7, 2026. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://besthistoryclass.com/how-brunch-became-an-american-weekend-tradition-a-short-surprising-history/. 

“Vegan Brownie Recipes.” Veganuary. Accessed Aug. 7, 2026. https://veganuary.com/en-us/?s=brownie&post_type=recipe. 

“Weed Brownies Recipe Guide: Tips For Safe Homemade Edibles.” STRNG Seeds. July 6, 2026. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://strngseeds.com/learn/weed-brownies-recipe-guide-tips-for-safe-homemade-edibles/. 

Wells, Mary Shannon. “22 Homemade Brownie Recipes That Will Wow At Every Bake Sale.” Southern Living. Feb. 19, 2026. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.southernliving.com/homemade-brownie-recipes-11905205. 

White, Joyce. “Bangor Brownies: Vintage Recipes and a History of this Beloved Treat.” A Taste of History with Joyce White. Feb. 4, 2016. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://atasteofhistorywithjoycewhite.blogspot.com/2016/02/brownies-vintage-recipes-and-history-of.html. 

Zauberman, Kara. “35 Best Brownie Recipes for All Your Chocolate Cravings.” The Pioneer Woman. Last updated Jan. 22, 2024. Accessed Aug. 8, 2026. https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g40218416/brownie-recipes/.