Keeping Your Freshly Baked Brownies Delicious
You just baked a fresh batch of delicious brownies and don’t want them to get dry, hard, and brick-like? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Proper storage is key to maintaining the delicious texture and flavor of your brownies.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to store brownies, whether you’re keeping them at room temperature, freezing them for later, or simply looking to enjoy them fresh from the oven. Follow these tips to ensure your brownies stay moist, chewy, and irresistible.
Do Brownies Need To Be Refrigerated?
In general, brownies do not need to be refrigerated. The exception to this is if they have additions that need refrigeration such as cream cheese or the like. Additionally, the dry air in the fridge will try and make your brownies dry out so keep them tightly wrapped or sealed if you do put them in the fridge.
Allow Brownies to Cool Before Storage
Before storing your brownies, allow them to cool completely. Placing warm brownies in a sealed container can create condensation and make them soggy.
Best Storage Method To Keep Brownies Fresh
Since the single biggest threat to your brownies, besides them being devoured, is them drying out, storing them with something to keep them moist will help keep them fresh. Adding a slice of fresh bread to your storage container will help keep your brownies fresh and moist.
Additionally, cut brownies have more exposed surface area to lose moisture from. If you can avoid cutting your brownies it will extend how long they stay soft and delicious.
Storing Brownies in Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil can be a good option for storing brownies if you don’t have an airtight container. Ensure that the foil is tightly wrapped around the brownies to prevent air from getting in and drying them out. It’s a simple and effective way to keep your brownies fresh for longer periods. Just remember to cut them only when you’re ready to serve to retain their moisture and flavor.
How To Store Brownies In A Container
When storing brownies at room temperature, there are a few things to consider.
Putting your brownies in an airtight container will keep them soft and delicious longer. Try to put them in a container that just fits them, without a lot of extra space. Line the bottom with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Also place some between layers if stacking them.
Store your brownies out of direct sunlight. Your brownies are already baked, no need to let the sun dry them out some more unless you like brownie bricks.
TIP: I’m a real fan of the Sistema Klip-It containers for storing my food including brownies. They seal tightly and the latches do not wear out or break easily.
How Long Do Brownies Last?
Typically brownies don’t last that long before being eaten, but if for some reason they don’t vanish, you can expect brownies to stay good for 3-4 days if stored correctly.
Can You Freeze Brownies?
To freeze individual brownies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a larger storage container or wrap them in foil. Freezing can draw the moisture out of your brownies, so keeping them tightly wrapped is essential.
Whole pans of brownies can be frozen. The key to this is lining your baking pan with parchment paper prior to baking. That way, once your brownies have been baked and cooled. you can wrap them tightly and freeze them.
Avoiding Freezer Burned Brownies
To avoid freezer burned brownies, make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer. Removing as much air as possible from the wrapping will help prevent ice crystals from forming on the brownies, ensuring they stay fresh and delicious when you’re ready to enjoy them. Remember to label the storage container with the date so you can keep track of how long they’ve been stored.
How To Wrap Brownies For Freezing
To wrap brownies for freezing, start by allowing them to cool completely. Then, cut them into individual portions if desired. Wrap each brownie tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in airtight containers or freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers with the date before putting them in the freezer. This method will help preserve the freshness and flavor of your brownies for an extended period.
Thawing Frozen Brownies
Thawing frozen brownies should be done gradually to prevent any condensation from forming on their surface, which can make them soggy. You can let them thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, you can reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their freshness. Enjoy your delicious brownies!
How to Reheat Brownies
There are a couple of ways to reheat your brownies, depending on how fast you want them warm and the results you want:
Microwave: The key for reheating brownies in the microwave is not to overcrowd them. Limit yourself to 1-2 pieces at a time.
- Place the squares on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on high in 10-second intervals until warm
Oven or Toaster Oven: While reheating your brownies in an oven or toaster oven is the slowest method, it yields the best results.
- Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the brownies on a toaster oven rack on a baking sheet. Cover with foil if doing a large slab.
- Reheat for 3-5 minutes for 1-2 pieces, or 15-20 minutes for a full slab.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if doing a whole slab.
Air Fryer: Air fryers can also be a great way to reheat brownies. Here’s how:
Reheat for 2-5 minutes, or until warm.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Place the brownies in the air fryer basket.
Cover Photo Credit: WikiMedia Commons
