How to Store Brownies (Ultimate Guide) (2024)

If you've just made a delicious batch of homemade brownies and wonderhow to store brownies to keep them fresh or can you freeze brownies, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will help keep your brownies soft and chewy, long after the baking is done.

Brownies are a delicious treat that always tastes best when eaten right away, but sometimes the recipe yield is way more than you can eat in a day. Tokeep their flavor and texture fresh, you'll need tostore them properly whether you freeze them or not. You might be wonderinghow long can you store brownies in the freezer, how to store brownies overnightor what is the best way to wrap brownies after baking.

This brownie storage guide will cover everything you need to know so you caneat fresh brownies that taste like they just came out of the oven.

How to store brownies?

If you want to know how to keep brownies fresh,the most important thing is to store them properly.How do you store brownies properly? The best way to store brownies depends on when you plan to eat them. Based on your timeline, you can choose between three methods; room temperature, fridge, or freezer to store them.

Always store brownies as airtight as possible by wrapping them up tightly and sealing them in the bag or container best fit for the storage method.

Can you freeze brownies?

Freezing brownies isan excellent idea for longer-term storage. How to store brownies in freezer? You can freeze brownies together or in individual pieces. If you have too many brownies to eat in a short period of time, this can be the best option to keep them fresh.Frozen brownies are easily thawedand returned to their yummy chewy brownie state with little effort.

To freeze brownies, it's important tolet them cool completely. Once cooled, wrap the brownies tightly in a plastic freezer bag or parchment paper. Then, wrap them in aluminum foil and store them in a zippered freezer bag, such as a ziploc bag. This will help prevent freezer burn.

How long brownies last in the freezer?

While freezing brownies isone of the best methods for keeping brownies fresh, three monthsis a good maximum for storing brownies in the freezer. Any longer than that, you'll probably just want to bake a new, fresh batch.

💡 Top Tip: You can alsocut up brownies beforehand and wrap individual browniesto make for easier portioning and faster thawing. Or, why not eat them as brownie ice cream bar or sandwich?

How to store brownies at room temperature?

To store brownies at room temperature, it's best to alwayskeep them in an airtight container. You can store them in a container with a lid, a cake container, or wrap them tightly in plastic and place them into a storage bag. Alternatively, you can also use a glass jar to store brownies at room temperature. Just be sure that it's airtight and has a good seal.

Even if you're in a rush, it's really important to be sure the brownies cool completely before you store them. Brownies' enemy is moisture because excessive moisture can lead to mold growth, especially in warm environments.Cool brownies on a rackfor at least an hour before packaging them up for storage.

How long brownies last at room temperature?

When stored at room temperature,brownies last for 3-4 days when properly stored. This is a standard time frame but the exact time brownies last at room temperature could change based on how they are stored, the humidity, and the room's actual temperature. Standard room temperature is generally considered 68- 77 degrees Fahrenheit/20-25 degrees Celsius.

In extra-warm areas that fall above typical room temperature, or moist tropical environments, the brownies may last for less time and the risk of mold increases. Also, if your brownie is super fudge or contains any add-ins that normally need to be refrigerated (eg. cream cheese), consider refrigerating them instead. Either way, be sure the brownies staywrapped or in a tightly sealed containerfor the best results.

💡 Top Tip: Please note that if your brownies contain dairy eg. these red velvet brownies, you should not store these at room temperature, but in the fridge or freezer.

How to store brownies in the refrigerator?

You might wonder how to store brownies in the fridge. Refrigerating your brownies may actually be your best storage method,especially if you won´t be enjoying them for a few days.

To store brownies in the refrigerator, simplyplace them into an airtight container. You can use plastic containers with a lid or a zippered storage bag. This is how to keep brownies from getting hard in the refrigerator.

But should you refrigerate brownies before cutting them or cut them into squares before storing? It's best to refrigerate the brownies as a solid block. This helps keep the moisture in, which ishow to keep brownies soft in the refrigerator.

How long brownies last in the refrigerator?

Brownies last in the refrigeratorfor up to one week. While they don't need to be refrigerated most of the time, if you refrigerate brownies it helps extend their freshness. Refrigerators keep the brownies cool and protect them from variable room temperatures.

While some may believe that brownies should never be refrigerated, it's a good option if you don't eat your brownie batch quickly or tend to forget about your baked goods. Sometimes you might not realize your room temperature batch is a few days old, in which case it's nearing time to discard. If you store them in the fridge, it gives you more time to enjoy them.

While refrigerated brownies do last for up to a week, always use your best judgement to look for signs that they're past their time and ready to go in the trash. If you've made cheesecake brownies or used a dairy topping,pay close attention to any changes in texture or tasteto determine if they need to be trashed sooner.

Many people ask me how to store brownies for a week and keep them fresh? While their shelf life should be ok for a week refrigerated, the better option is to freeze them and then thaw them.

💡 Top Tip: Worried about if brownies will get hard in the refrigerator? Simply, bring the brownies back to room temperature before serving them!

How to reheat brownies?

When reheating brownies, you have a few different options. Whether you are reviving dry brownies or simply enjoying them served warm, it's very easy to reheat them. The first and easiest option is toreheat brownies in the microwave. You can do this by heating the brownies for 10-20 seconds until warmed to your liking. If your brownies are dry, wrap them in a damp paper towel before microwaving to achieve rejuvenated, moist brownies in no time.

Toreheat brownies in the oven, preheat the oven to 176 degrees Celsius/350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, place your brownies on a baking sheet or pan and warm them for about 5 minutes until heated to your liking. You can alsoreheat in the air fryerfor 2-3 minutes at 93 degrees Celsius/ 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long do brownies last?

How long will brownies keep depends on the type and also on your storage method. Homemade brownies - depending on how you store them - can lastanywhere from a few days up (at room temperature) to a few months (in the freezer).

Store bought brownies might last longer as they usually contain additives. For store-bought brownies, check the expiration date on the package or to be on the safe side, store and consume them as you would any homemade brownies.

If you wish to make frosted brownies and plan to freeze them, it's best to make the topping fresh when you're ready to eat the brownies rather than freeze it.

How to tell if brownies have gone bad?

For baked goods such as brownies, you'll berelying on visual cuesto help determine if they have gone bad. Overly dry brownies that crumble easily, are often an indication they are at the end of their shelf life. You may also notice changes in the color of the brownie from when they were first baked, such as becoming lighter in color rather than a rich dark brown.

Mold growth is an obvious indicator that brownies have gone badbut depending on their environment, it may take a while for it to actually grow. The brownies may be past their prime long before mold grows butif you see it, be sure to toss them immediately. In general, it's best to discard them if you can't remember when you made them or if there are any off-putting textures, smells, or tastes.

5 Expert tips for storing homemade brownies

1. Control moisture - Moisture can have a big impact on how long are brownies good for. If you notice excess moisture in the container at room temperature, add paper towels underneath the brownies to absorb it. Alternatively, if your stored brownies seem dry, add a slice of bread to the container tokeep your brownies perfectly soft.
2. Don't cut brownies before freezing -When you're making a batch of brownies with the intent to freeze, don't cut them until after they've been defrosted.Leave the entire cooked batch intact. Leaving the brownies in a large uncut piece will help retain moisture and protect the center of the brownies from any cold air that may leak into the packaging.
3. Store frosted brownies between parchment paper -Frosted brownies can be tricky to store because of their topping. To avoid messy storage, you can cut pieces of parchment to place between the brownies before stacking them in the fridge. If your frosting is very soft at room temperature,you may need to give the brownies a quick chill to ensure the frosting is firm enough.
4. Dried up brownies don't have to go to waste -If despite your best efforts, your brownies still get a little hard, it's time to get creative. Break the dry brownies into pieces and add them to ice cream, use them in a dessert such as a brownie truffle, or enjoy them in a bowl with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
5. Coat the brownies in chocolate - If you don't mind an extra rich dessert, coating the brownies in chocolate looks beautiful and also seals in moisture.Simply melt chocolate, then dip each brownie into it. Allow the excess to drip off and place the brownies on parchment paper to firm up. Store in an airtight container in the fridge once firm.

Storing brownies FAQs

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