Can You Freeze Brownies?
Freeze brownies so you always have a sweet treat on hand.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Thick and cake-like, gooey, fudge-filled, cream-cheese or peanut-butter swirled: It’s no secret that brownies, in all of their many varieties, are as satisfying as chocolate desserts come. What’s more: Making a pan of the toothsome chocolate treats is easy, with a good number of brownie recipes only requiring one bowl and pantry ingredients.
Add chopped walnuts to your favorite recipe for a delicious crunch, or top the raw dough with a couple of handfuls of chocolate candies, such as M&Ms. Served à la mode or with a cold glass of milk, brownies deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.
But can you freeze them without altering the texture or flavor? The good news is yes, like cookies, brownies can be frozen and enjoyed at a later date. Here’s everything you need to know about preserving that batch of brownies, including what to know about serving them after you take them out of the freezer.
Related:Brownie Recipes That Will Wow at Every School Bake Sale, Church Homecoming, and Family Potluck
How To Freeze Brownies
If you’re going to freeze brownies, you want to do it while they’re still fresh, as freezing old brownies won’t bring them back to life; it’ll just result in stale-tasting brownies. Aim to freeze any uneaten brownies two to three days after making them.
To freeze brownies, cut the remaining portion into squares, wrap individually, and then freeze. This method means a single-serving brownie is available when you want it—or roughly 30 minutes after you take it out of the freezer and give it a chance to thaw.
Brownies can be frozen for up to three months, but whether you choose to wrap a fully cooked (and cooled) pan or individual squares, be sure to wrap well to avoid freezer burn.
Related:5 Foods You May Not Be Freezing—But Should Be
If you’re wrapping a full tray of brownies, first remove the cooked and cooled slab of brownies from the pan, then tightly wrap in plastic wrap at least twice before wrapping in a layer of foil. Then, either place the whole thing in your freezer as is, or pop it into a large freezer bag or storage container.
Don’t forget to label your brownies so you don’t forget what’s hiding in your freezer!
Types of Brownies You Can Freeze
Dark chocolate brownies, brownies with nuts, chocolate candy pieces, or coconut shreds will freeze successfully following the above instructions. Brownies with cream cheese can be frozen as well, but keep in mind they may suffer a little during the thawing process as the cream cheese can cause the brownie to sweat a little, adding extra moisture or wetness to the thawed dessert.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
How to Serve Frozen Brownies
There’s nothing quite like brownies fresh out of the oven, but if you take care to properly freeze your brownies, you’ll find similar results upon thawing.
After the brownies have thawed on the counter, enjoy as is, or pop individual servings in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, being careful to let them cool for a few seconds before eating. Warm a frozen pan of thawed brownies in a 325°F oven for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Some brownie freezing methods advise adding a pinch of salt to the thawed brownies to enhance any flavor lost during the freezing process. And, if you’re someone who likes a sweet and salty dessert, this tip does double duty.
Individually wrapped and frozen brownies can also be enjoyed straight out of the freezer, depending on your preferences, (and the weather outside). If freezing chocolate bars or snacking on chocolate chips straight from the freezer is your jam, you’re going to love biting into a dense, rich brownie straight from the ice box.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you defrost frozen brownies?
There are several ways to defrost frozen brownies, including in the microwave, refrigerator, and oven. The best way to defrost brownies is to let them thaw overnight, or at least four to six hours, in the fridge to keep the texture intact. Other methods include microwaving brownies in 15-second intervals to thaw frozen brownies or using a baking sheet to reheat them for a few minutes in the oven.
Can you freeze brownies with nuts?
Yes. You can freeze brownies with or without nuts in an airtight container for up to two months. If wrapping brownies still in the pan, ensure it is airtight and sealed before placing them in the freezer.
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