Baking is so much fun it can sometimes go overboard, particularly where brownies are concerned. So what do you do if you make more brownies than everyone in the house can eat? Can you freeze the brownies to enjoy later and how good will they be if you do?
You can freeze brownies for up to 3 months without risking them losing quality. It’s best to reduce the brownies’ direct exposure to cold air to ensure they’ll freeze properly, prevent odors from contaminating them, and reduce freezer burn. Always freeze brownies in an airtight container.
This article will explore how to freeze brownies and how long they can last. I’ll also reveal my top tips for freezing brownies and defrosting them. Keep reading.
How To Freeze Brownies (Cut or Uncut)
So you’ve made so many brownies that you can’t possibly eat them all. But don’t worry; you can solve this dilemma by freezing your brownies and saving them for another day!
The process of freezing brownies is relatively straightforward. But first, you have to consider how much room you have in your freezer.
Then you want to decide whether you want to freeze the brownies in the tin or freeze them individually.
Freeze Brownies in the Baking Tin
Freezing your brownies in the tin or baking dish is the most convenient way of preserving your baked goods, but it’s reliant that you have enough room in the freezer!
This method of storing your brownies is the most convenient and the best way of preserving their quality. Keeping brownies in the pan reduces the number of sides exposed to the ‘open air’ of the freezer and makes the brownies unlikely to get freezer burn.
Follow the steps below to freeze brownies in the tin:
Bake your brownies at the desired temperature.
Once done, leave the brownies on the countertop until they’re completely cool. The cooling will usually take around 30 minutes.
Cover the brownies in the baking dish to protect the exposed layer from the cold air.
Place the baking tin in the freezer and store it for up to three months.
Freezing brownies uncut in the baking dish is a great way to keep frozen brownies fresh and moist. You’ll have a whole batch of brownies ready to share when the mood strikes.
Freeze Brownies Individually
Those who understandably believe that brownies aren’t for sharing can cut them into individual portions before freezing.
Instead of wrapping your brownies, use an airtight container to store the brownies in the freezer without having to expose them to the cold air.
An airtight container is essential for preserving the quality of the brownies when you eventually defrost them. Follow the steps below on storing your brownies correctly in the freezer:
Slice the brownies into individual portions after you’ve baked and cooled them.
Take your airtight container and line it with parchment paper.
Line the portions of brownies in the container. If you need to, separate layers of brownies with parchment paper to stop them from sticking together.
Seal the lid of the container and place it into the freezer.
If you’re looking for some excellent airtight containers, I recommend these Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers (available on Amazon.com). They are made of BPA-free materials and come in a set for the batch cooker in your household.
Tip: If you plan to store your individually cut brownies in the freezer for more than a week or so, I’d recommend wrapping each brownie in plastic wrap before placing it in the container. This will reduce the likelihood of freezer burn and ensure that your brownies taste just as good in a few months as the day you made them.
Regardless of which way you choose to freeze your brownies make sure to mark the outside dish or container with the date that you froze them to avoid keeping them in the freezer for too long.
How To Thaw Brownies
Once removed from the freezer, brownies will need approximately 3 to 4 hours to thaw completely.
After thawing, you can get ready to eat your brownies by heating them in the microwave. Properly thawed brownies should take around 30 seconds on half power.
If you’ve thawed a big batch of brownies, consider heating them in the oven. Heat your brownies at 350°F (170°C) for around 10 to 15 minutes.
Keep in mind that your brownies might need more time in the oven if you didn’t thoroughly thaw them earlier on.
One way of testing to see if the brownies are done is to take their internal temperature using a cooking thermometer. I recommend this DOQAUS Digital Thermometer from Amazon.com. You can use it not only for cooking but also for baking. The thermometer’s clear and bright display will allow you to read your brownies’ temperature properly, even in low light.
Other Tips for Storing Brownies
If freezing your brownies isn’t an option for you, all is not necessarily lost! Although freezing your delicious baked goods will make them last the longest, there are other ways of storing them that don’t require a freezer.
Keep the Brownies at Room Temperature for Up to 4 days
If you’re like me, you much prefer your brownies at room temperature. If you want to keep your treats on the kitchen counter or a pantry, I suggest putting them in an airtight environment.
The airtight environment can be achieved in many ways, including the wrapping or airtight container I mentioned earlier or with a zip lock bag. This step is crucial to keep your brownies from drying out.
Brownies will last approximately 3 to 4 days at room temperature, although this will depend on the airtight environment in which you store them.
Store the Brownies in the Refrigerator for Up to a Week
You may have to refrigerate your brownies if they contain dairy in them or have any frosting.
It’s possible to refrigerate brownies for up to about a week, assuming that you store them in an airtight container. You can also do this provided that you set your fridge to the correct temperature and your fridge is well-maintained.
What’s the Best Way To Freeze Brownies?
The best way to freeze brownies is to freeze them in individual-sized portions. Although this doesn’t conserve as much space in your freezer, it’s a good way to prep them for later use. You can just grab however many you need, which also prevents wastage.
Does Freezing Brownies Ruin Them?
After spending much time making the most delicious brownies, the last thing you want to do is ruin them. It’s natural for any budding baker to be concerned about their baked goods when it’s time to put them in the freezer.
Freezing doesn’t ruin brownies, provided that they don’t contain dairy. If you plan on freezing cheesecake swirl brownies, you may want to check your ingredients first. Brownies with certain types of dairy, such as butter and cream, could have texture changes when frozen.
Can You Reheat Frozen Brownies?
You can reheat frozen brownies. For the best results, you should thaw the brownies first, as doing this ensures that the brownies will heat up evenly. You can reheat frozen brownies using a microwave or an oven. Regardless of whichever you use, your brownies may change in texture slightly.
How to make brownies that are perfect for freezing.
Conclusion
You can freeze brownies for up to 3 months without losing their quality as long as you store them correctly. It’s best to cut the brownies into individual portions and store them in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
If you don’t have a freezer, you can store brownies in the refrigerator for up to a week. Take advantage of airtight containers when storing your brownies. These containers are susceptible to contamination by odors.
Also, you may thaw brownies in a microwave or an oven, depending on your preference.
