Are you in charge of desserts at your next gathering and want to make a batch of brownies ahead of time? Or maybe you're making a plate for yourself and want to ensure that the leftovers remain fresh all week long? Whatever your plans for your brownies are, there are several ways that you can guarantee that they taste just as good a few days later. Keep scrolling to learn the best way to freeze, refrigerate and store this tasty dessert.
Can you Freeze Brownies?
Delicious freshly baked brownies, cocoa powder and walnuts on wooden table, flat lay. Space for text
Wondering if you can freeze the large batch of brownies that you just made? The answer is yes! Freezing brownies is a simple and effective way to ensure that they remain fresh and ready to eat. Some brownies may thaw better than others, depending on the brownie recipe used. When making a brownie with a glaze or swirls on top, it's important to note that liquid-based ingredients might sweat a little when thawed to room temperature. While this may change the appearance of the brownie some, it won't affect the flavor.
Note: If you know that you'll be freezing brownies ahead of time, we recommend leaving frosted brownies unfrosted and applying the topping after they've thawed.
Freezing Brownies
Placing brownies in the freezer is the best method to store brownies for extended periods. When stored in the freezer, brownies must be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container. This will help protect them from air and freezer burn. If stored correctly, the brownies will remain fresh for around two months.
When you're ready to eat the brownies, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw to room temperature while they are still wrapped. For a faster thawing process, place the brownies in the microwave for a few seconds to help them return to their soft and chewy nature.
Storing brownies in the freezer is an excellent option if you plan on making a large batch of brownies and want to treat yourself to a sweet treat daily. By making brownies ahead of time and wrapping them individually, you can have a grab-and-go dessert waiting for you whenever the craving hits.
Freezing a Whole Pan of Brownies
If you know that you'll be freezing your brownies ahead of time, we recommend leaving them uncut. Freezing an entire pan of brownies is the best way to protect them from freezer burn and oxidation. Additionally, while air may creep into the pan and affect the edge of the brownies over time, the center will be fully protected from drying out.
The best way to freeze a pan of brownies is to line the pan with parchment paper before baking the brownies. Make sure that there is enough paper so that you can quickly grab the edges to remove the brownies from the pan after baking. Once baked, allow the brownies to cool off completely. Then, wrap the entire sheet of brownies with plastic wrap and then with foil. Though this method does make it hard to grab a bite of a brownie quickly, it is the best way to ensure that they remain fresh. Once you're ready to eat the brownies, allow them to thaw completely before serving.
Freezing Individual Brownies
If you're baking for your household alone, you may find a few leftovers when baking a large batch of brownies. Freeze the leftovers individually to ensure that you always have a brownie ready to go, whether you're heading to the couch or out the door.
Once sliced and cooled, brownies should be placed in a glass or plastic container for freezing. When freezing individual brownies, stick to single layers and avoid stacking the brownies on top of each other. If you need to stack individual brownies, cover the first layer with parchment paper, press down slightly, and then top with another layer of brownies. For maximum freshness, cover the top layer with parchment paper before placing the airtight container into the freezer.
Thawing Brownies
Defrosting frozen brownies is simple. When you're ready to enjoy the brownies in your freezer, unwrap them or remove them from the container they're placed in and allow them to thaw to room temperature.
For a faster thawing method, place the frozen brownie into the microwave for about 10 seconds, checking to confirm it's reached the right temperature.
Additional Brownie Storing Tips
While freezing brownies is the best way to keep them as fresh as the day you made them, there are several other ways that you can preserve the ooey-gooey flavor and texture of this dessert.
Avoid Cutting Brownies
As we mentioned, if you plan to store your brownies right away, it's best not to cut them until you're ready to eat them. Cutting brownies exposes more parts of the brownie to air, which can cause them to dry out quicker. For a chewy brownie that tastes great days later, allow the brownies to cool off completely and keep them in the tray uncut until you're ready to eat them.
Keep the Air Away
Air and brownies are not friends. If you've already cut your brownies and are searching for the best way to store the leftovers, you'll want to wrap them tightly to prevent the air from drying them out. To preserve your brownie's freshness follow the steps above and wrap each brownie in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container before putting them into the refrigerator or freezer.
Store Them with Bread
Worried that your airtight container isn't keeping all of the air out? Place a piece of bread in it alongside the brownies. The moisture from the bread will help keep the brownies soft and fresher for longer. If the bread begins to dry out after a day or so, simply replace it with a new one.
For Short-Term Storage Keep at Room Temperature
If you plan on storing your brownies for a few hours before enjoying them, the best way to preserve their chocolatey flavor is to keep them at room temperature. Chocolate tastes best when enjoyed at room temperature, and brownies will remain soft and chewy for a day or so when wrapped in plastic wrap and left on the counter.
Refrigerate
If you're searching for ways to keep brownies fresh for more than a few days, then refrigerating or freezing is the best method. To properly refrigerate brownies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in the fridge. When stored properly, the brownies will remain fresh for about a week. When you're ready to eat one of the brownies, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to thaw to room temperature before enjoying it. Bringing the brownie back to room temperature will ensure that it has a freshly baked brownie's soft and chewy texture.
Best Brownie Recipes
Ready to bake a batch of brownies that you can freeze and enjoy throughout the week? We've gathered up a list of our favorite brownies recipes for added inspiration.
Peanut Butter Brownies (Gluten Free)
Create a brownie recipe that freezes perfectly and make these Gluten Free Peanut Butter Brownies. In this recipe, the classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter is combined to create a candy-like brownie that's both sweet and salty. Made with our Gluten Free Brownie Mix, these brownies are celiac friendly and a treat that everyone can enjoy.
Cream Cheese Brownies Gluten Free
If you've ever wished that you could eat two desserts at once, then you'll love this brownie recipe. These Cream Cheese Brownies combine the delicious flavor of cheesecake with a chocolatey brownie to create an addictively good dessert. Easy to make, only six ingredients are needed to complete this mouthwatering flavor combo. Prepped and cooked in under an hour, these brownies will quickly become your favorite homemade treat.
Sourdough Brownies
Do you love making sourdough bread? If so, then we've found another use for your excess sourdough starter. Rich, flavorful, and fudgy, these Sourdough Brownies are the perfect way to expand your sourdough baking skills. With a flavor combo that's sweet and tangy, they have a crave-able chocolate flavor that makes them hard to put down. Next time you're craving a chocolatey treat, use our Sourdough Starter Recipe to create these brownies.
Now that you know how to freeze brownies properly, keeping your leftovers fresh will be a breeze. Whip up a batch of one of the brownies above and freeze them individually for a portable snack that you can enjoy all week long. From the Bob's Red Mill family to yours, happy baking!
Do you enjoy making homemade brownies often? We'd love to hear about the many wonderful recipes that you create. Share your favorite brownie recipes with us in the comments below. We can't wait to hear from you.
