Tips on how to store brownies longer

If you always wonder how to store brownies since you are a big fan of them just like me, you have landed at the right place. This guide will show you the best way to store any type of brownies.

Because of their rich, fudgy, and irresistible chocolate flavor, brownies are a favorite treat in every household. It is the ultimate treat for any party, for any celebration, as a treat in kids tiffin or to simply enjoy after a long and tiring day.

All of the brownie variations from classic brownies to brownies loaded with nuts, cream cheese filling, berries sauce, or caramel are very easy to make.

This is the ultimate guide for brownie storage so you know how to store any type of brownie without altering their taste, or texture and enjoy them whenever you want to. So, you don't have to worry about your leftover brownies now :). Isn't it a good idea? :)

What will you learn in this ultimate guide?

• Different types of brownies.
• Their storage methods.
• Brownies shelf life
• Methods for freezing brownies
• Thawing methods

Why is it important to properly store the brownies?

Proper storage is important for preserving the deliciousness of brownies, ensuring they remain tasty and fresh as they are baked today. Below are a few points to consider for appropriate storage.

• Prevent them from spoiling  - Although they can stay at room temperature longer than any other dessert, they may get spoiled based on the filling or topping they are using. They can get mold or a nasty smell if not properly stored.
• To preserve flavor - Chocolate is the main ingredient of brownies and chocolate is prone to air exposure and light. So, storing them properly will help them preserve the flavor.
• Maintain the texture - The texture of cakey, fudgy, and chewy brownies are different from each other and they need proper storage to maintain their texture and keep them fresh longer.
• To enjoy them longer - It is as simple as it sounds. If you know the proper technique to store your leftover brownies, you get to enjoy them longer as if they are fresh brownies:).

What are the types of brownies?

The most popular types of brownies are fudgy, chewy, and cakey brownies. All of them have different ratios of ingredients and baking time.

Fudgy brownies

1. Rich, dense, and moist with deep chocolate flavor.
2. Higher fat content from butter and chocolate, resulting in a gooey center.
3. They are removed from the oven when the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs and some wet batter. They keep on baking even after taking it out of the oven. So do not worry. Your brownies will not be undercooked.

Cakey brownies

1. Lighter than fudgy brownies, cake-like structure.
2. Contains more flour and leavening agent.
3. Remove them from the oven when the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Chewy brownies

1. Combination of fudgy brownies and cakey brownies. In other words, they are slightly less rich, less dense, and lighter than fudgy brownies.
2. Balances the fat content with other ingredients.
3. Just like the fudgy brownies, remove them from the oven with moist crumbs and a very less wet batter.

As the textures of all brownies differ from each other, their storage methods will be different too. For example, fudgy brownies contain more chocolate, so it is prone to dry out when exposed to air. Hence, those brownies need to be stored in an airtight container.

Before storing the brownies

Whether you make fudgy brownies, cakey brownies, or chewy brownies, the most important step before storing them is cooling those homemade brownies.

As I said above, brownies continue to bake even after taking out from the oven. If you cut the warm brownies, they will fall apart as they are not yet set properly. In the end, it will be a messy affair :). I had a similar experience with my favorite dark chocolate brownies.

They set properly as they are cooling down. Hence, it will be easier to cut into exact squares or rectangles. In the end, we will have nicely shaped brownies instead of a mess.

If you store the brownies when they are still warm, they will form condensation, turning the brownies soggy. 

Hence, I strongly recommend storing them once they are completely cooled down. It may take anywhere between one hour to one and half hours depending on which part of the world you are living in.

Recommended storage methods

Brownies can be enjoyed as is or can be topped with fudgy frosting just like my Hershey cocoa powder brownie recipe.

Storing plain brownies

You can store the brownies at room temperature for up to 7 days, for up to a couple of weeks in the refrigerator, or for up to 2 months in the freezer. You can either keep them in a container or a resealable bag.

If you are stacking them in a container, a good way to stack them is using parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking.

How-to store fudgy brownies

If fudgy brownies are exposed to air, they will dry out quickly. Store them in an airtight container or cover them with a layer of plastic wrap and do not forget to keep them in a dry place. In both ways, brownies will be saved from outside odor.

How to store cakey brownies

As cakey brownies are light and have a cake-like structure, You can store them in some loose container. Storing them in an airtight container will make them soggy. You must have experienced the same with any cake.

How to store chewy brownies

To preserve their chewy texture, you can store them in an airtight container just like fudgy brownies. As they are a little less rich than fudgy ones, they will dry out faster and can turn hard if not stored properly. 

Freezing plane brownies

To save the brownies from freezer burn, store them all in one container or tightly cover individual brownies with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil as an extra layer of wrapping. You can freeze these wrapped brownies in the freezer for up to 2 months without compromising their taste and freshness.

Thawing plane brownies

There are a couple of methods to thaw the brownie.

1. Refrigerator: Remove the brownie from the freezer and keep it in the fridge overnight. This is the most common method for thawing any dessert. Next day, keep it on the kitchen counter for 15 to 20 minutes and you are set.
2. Kitchen counter: If you forget to keep them in the refrigerator, keep them on the kitchen counter for a couple of hours and you are all set.

If you want warm brownies, microwave them for 8 to 10 seconds on medium power and serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

How to store brownie with topping

Storing topped brownies

You can store topped brownies at room temperature or in the refrigerator depending on the type of frosting you have used. 

For example, 

If you have used cream cheese frosting or fresh fruit topping, you can keep it at room temperature for a couple of hours, but then you have to store it in the refrigerator as cream cheese is one of the perishable ingredients.

Freezing topped brownies

Irrespective of the type of brownie, first freeze the topped brownies for at least 15 to 20 minutes and then freeze them in freezer freezer-safe container.

In short, store brownies (either naked or topped brownies) as mentioned below for maximum freshness.

Sr. No.	Storage Method	Days/Weeks/Months
1	At room temperature	7 days
2	In the refrigerator	2 weeks
3	In the freezer	2 months

How to confirm if the brownies have not gone bad?

Even if after taking a very good precaution while storing the brownies, there is a possibility that they might go bad because of multiple reasons. For example, issues in refrigeration, and power outage.

A few points to identify are unpleasant smell, mold growth, very dry and crumbly texture, and bitter taste. If you see any of these signs, please discard them and make a delicious batch of brownies.

Brownie recipes

Don't forget to check out my brownie recipes.

Conclusion

If you follow these methods, you will never buy store-bought brownies as you won't have any dry brownies. You can store any type of brownie at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer once they are completely cooled down. Store them based on the type of brownies, whether it is fudgy, cakey, or chocolatey. You can thaw them either in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter. Happy baking!