A fresh batch of brownies can turn a good day into a great one. Now, if you live in a household with a few people, it's unlikely that there will be leftovers. But, if you're making a large batch of brownies and want to make them ahead of time, you may wonder how to store brownies properly to make them last longer. If that's the case, you're in luck. This article will discuss the many ways to properly store brownies so that they stay fresh and chewy until you're ready to enjoy them. Continue reading to learn more.
What Is a Brownie?
Though you've probably tried brownies before, if you haven't made them yourself, you may be wondering what brownies are made of. Brownies, a delicious chocolate-y square featuring an ooey-gooey texture, are a popular dessert. The typical brownie batter usually includes a combination of chocolate, eggs, butter, sugar, flour, salt and vanilla extract. And while the ingredients are similar to chocolate cake, the best brownie recipe often features a fudge-y texture and crackly top. The perfect chocolate brownie will include a soft, gooey inside and a crispy outside. You can enjoy this baked treat dessert alone, top it with ice cream, or pair it with a glass of milk. Brownies come in all types of flavor combinations from grain free brownies to fudge brownies, cream cheese brown recipe brownies, and more.
The Shelf Life of a Brownie
Homemade brownies are delicious, and when stored properly, they can last a good amount of time—although we are confident that any leftovers will be eaten quickly. Like most baked goods, brownies taste best when stored at room temperature, and will remain fresh for up to 5 days if stored correctly. Still, there's a proper way to keep and cut brownies to protect them from outside odors and air, and knowing basic storing methods will help ensure you get the most out of this tasty dessert.
In general, when a brownie is left uncut and stored in an airtight container, it will remain fresh for five days at room temperature. A pre-cut brownie stored in an airtight container will only stay fresh for 2-3 days.
Storing Brownies
So, you've baked the perfect brownie. Now, what? How do you store them? Can you freeze brownies? How long can brownie batter sit at room temperature? If you're brownies baked to the perfect texture and flavor and you aim to keep them that way, at least for a few more days, you'll want to do everything possible to store them correctly. To ensure that your brownies remain as fresh as they were right out of the oven, follow the steps below.
Allow Brownies to Cool
After baking your brownies, allow them to cool off completely in the baking tray. Storing brownies that are not yet cool will create unwanted moisture and change the texture of the brownies. It will also make them much harder to transport.
Keep Them in the Tin
For long-term storage (up to 5 days), leave the brownies in the tin, uncut. Brownies that are pre-cut before being stored come in contact with a lot more air and will dry out much quicker than those left uncut.
Make Sure They're Airtight
To keep your brownies as fresh as possible, you'll want to place them in an airtight container. Unfortunately, the air is your brownie's biggest enemy, and even a little bit of it can quickly turn soft brownies into dry, crumbly ones.
Wrap Pre-Cut Brownies
If you do cut your brownies to serve and have leftovers that you'd like to keep fresh, be sure to wrap them individually. The best option is to wrap each brownie in an airtight wrapping such as plastic wrap. Wrapped brownies can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator and should be consumed within 1-2 days before they become dry and stale.
Keeping Brownies Soft
As we mentioned, air is the enemy of soft brownies, and to ensure that they remain fresh, you'll need to keep them away from it. Several storage methods can help ensure that your brownies stay soft and moist. Here are a few of the most common.
Plastic Wrap
To properly wrap brownies in plastic wrap, pull the wrap tightly around each brownie and ensure that all edges are covered. Plastic wrap can be applied in multiple layers and used to wrap brownies for storage on the counter, refrigerator and freezer.
Aluminum Foil
When wrapped tightly, aluminum foil can be used to keep your brownies fresh. Wrapping aluminum foil around individual brownies or a tin of brownies will block the air from entering and preserve their chewy nature.
Airtight Containers
Airtight containers work well when storing brownies. However, they should be used in addition to parchment paper. Use parchment paper to layer brownies into an airtight container for best results.
Tip: When storing brownies in an airtight container, add a slice of bread in with them. The moisture from the bread will help keep your brownies fresh and soft for a couple more days.
Resealable Bag
For a quick and easy method of storing brownies, place brownies into a resealable bag. This method is beneficial if you plan on transporting your brownies. It also works well when refrigerating and freezing brownies and protects them from freezer burn.
Storing Brownies in the Refrigerator
During the summer and in hotter climates, brownies might not last as long when stored at room temperature. If you're worried about the heat affecting the delicious taste of your brownies, we recommend storing them in the refrigerator instead. Storing brownies in the fridge can keep them fresh for up to two weeks.
For the best storage method, wrap each brownie tightly before placing it in the fridge. Because baked goods are porous, they tend to absorb the odors and flavors of the foods around them. To ensure that your brownies taste the same as when they went in, double wrap them in plastic wrap or place them into an airtight container. Then, once you're ready to enjoy them, remove the brownies from the fridge and allow them to thaw to room temperature. For faster enjoyment, you can also warm refrigerated brownies in the microwave for a few seconds.
Freezing Brownies
Wondering if you can freeze brownies? The answer is yes! Freezing brownies is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of this baked treat. When stored in the freezer, brownies can last for a few months. Freezing brownies is an excellent option if you need to make a large batch in advance or want something sweet to snack on when the craving hits.
Like all other methods of storing brownies, freezing brownies works best when the brownies are kept away from the air. Aluminum foil, airtight containers, plastic wrap, and resealable bags can all be used in the freezer to keep your brownies fresh. Pre-cut brownies can be frozen individually, and uncut brownies can be kept in large batches to avoid freezer burn. When ready to eat, remove the brownie from the freezer and allow it to remain in its wrapping until it thaws to room temperature. Frozen brownies can also be placed in the microwave and warmed quickly like refrigerated brownies.
Brownie Recipes
If just reading about brownies got your mouth watering, you'll likely want to make a batch of your own by the end of this article. To create great-tasting brownies that you can store and enjoy all week long, try out one of the recipes below.
Classic Brownies
Knowing how to make a delicious and chewy classic brownie is the key to brownie-baking success. For a classic brownie that new and advanced bakers will enjoy, follow this Brownie Recipe. Made using a combination of our Gluten Free Oat Flour, Sorghum Flour and Potato Starch, it embodies the soft nature of traditional brownies and is safe for people with celiac disease to enjoy. Unsweetened chocolate, vanilla extract, eggs and sea salt are combined to create the fudge-like flavor that we know and love.
Pretzel Brownies Gluten Free
Take bronies to the next level by combining them with another loved treat—pretzels! This Gluten Free Pretzel Brownie Recipe is loaded with a sweet and salty flavor that will satisfy all of your cravings at once. In this recipe, our Gluten Free Brownie Mix is used to help take the guesswork out of gluten free baking and create a celiac-friendly baked treat that's just as good as the original. Make these and enjoy them straight from the oven, or refrigerate and pack it with you for lunch throughout the week.
When it comes to a great dessert, making brownies is only half of the work; then, once you make them, you have to store them properly so that they taste great for days. When storing your next batch of brownies, use the tips above, and watch how much longer they last. A treat that's sure to brighten your day, we're confident that your next batch of brownies will be the best yet. From the Bob's Red Mill Family to yours, happy baking!
