Freshly baked brownies are a delicious and easy dessert that any at-home baker can create with few ingredients. Loaded with rich chocolate-y flavor, a great brownie recipe will have everyone around lining up to get a bite. If you're in a crunch for time and wondering if you can prepare homemade brownie batter ahead of time to cook later on, the answer is yes! You may also be asking yourself this: “How long can brownie batter sit at room temperature?” While brownie batter can be made ahead of time, it's essential to store it properly to ensure freshness until you're ready to begin baking. Continue reading as we discuss when and how long you can leave brownie batter out and how to store it to save it for later.
Making Brownie Batter in Advance
Though making brownie batter in advance is possible, it has to be done in a specific way to prevent spoiling. Because most brownie recipes call for eggs, the batter shouldn't sit out for longer than two hours before baking. On the other hand, the sauce and dry ingredients can be made a few days in advance and refrigerated for freshness.
Having the dry ingredients or the brownie sauce pre-made means that you'll only have to mix the eggs in once you're ready to begin baking. While this might not sound like a big feat, it will surely save you time in the kitchen on days when you are in a rush.
Does Brownie Batter Go Bad?
As we mentioned earlier, brownie mixes with eggs (and those without) will eventually go bad. This is because brownie batters often contain saturated fats that can spoil over time. Additionally, the baking soda used in brownie recipes will decompose if not stored properly. If you're wondering if your boxed brownie mix has spoiled, check the expiration date. Most boxed mixes will last 12-18 months when stored correctly.
Refrigerating Uncooked Brownie Batter
If you've already made your brownie batter and are not ready to cook it yet, you're likely searching for the best storage method. Though the batter will be okay at room temperature for an hour, it will spoil if left out for longer. To store pre-made batter for longer than two hours, place it in the refrigerator. When placed in an airtight container or Ziploc bag, the batter can be kept in the fridge overnight and still be safe to enjoy in the morning.
In addition to keeping your brownie mix fresh, refrigerating brownie batter can also help boost the overall texture and flavor of the treat. Refrigerating helps improve the gloss and crustiness of brownies while simultaneously blending the flavors—the result?— brownie that tastes much richer and chewier.
Freezing Brownie Batter
Can you freeze brownies? The answer is also a resounding “Yes!” Preparing brownie batter ahead of time can also be accomplished via freezing. The best way to freeze brownie batter is by storing it in a plastic freezer bag or a disposable brownie pan. This will ensure that the mix stays fresh and is protected from freezer burn. When you're ready to bake your frozen brownie batter, allow them to return to room temperature before baking. But if you really want dense and fudgy brownies, baking the batter while it’s still frozen will result in brownies that are slightly more chewy and fudgy.
How Far in Advance Can You Bake Brownies?
Now that you know that you can make brownie batter ahead of time, you might be wondering how long can brownie batter sit at room temperature. If you have an event and want to show up with a dessert in hand, baking brownies a day or so in advance will help you feel more prepared. Though the shelf life of a brownie largely depends on how it is stored, there are some things you can do to ensure freshness. First, when making brownies ahead of time, don't cut the brownies until you're ready to eat them. They’ll dry out faster if you cut them versus if you leave them in a pan whole. A pan of uncut brownies will also last much longer than pre-sliced brownies. If you have some brownie squares that you'd like to save for later, make sure they're placed in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator and eaten within a few days.
Brownie Making Tips for Beginners
If you're new to brownie making and want to ensure that your first batch turns out delicious, take a moment to review the tips and tricks below. From choosing the right recipe to sugary spreads, we've gathered the best advice for brownies on the internet.
Choose the Right Recipe
Everyone's preference for food is different—especially when it comes to baked goods. While some people may love a fudgy, chewy brownie, others prefer a light, fluffy one. Knowing the outcome you are looking for is crucial to choosing the right recipe. If you love lighter, more cake-like brownies, you'll want to select a recipe that calls for cocoa powder and lots of flour instead of melted chocolate. If you're hoping for an ooey-gooey treat, opt for a recipe with a high ratio of melted chocolate, butter, and eggs compared to the other ingredients. To add an extra oomph of flavor to plain chocolate brownies, add instant espresso powder to your recipe. It enhances the chocolate flavor, making it taste richer and adds an extra depth of flavor.
Check the Mix Before Baking
When making brownies, you can usually tell if something has gone wrong before baking them. Brownie batter that is grainy, separated, or greasy will likely result in a less than ideal brownie. If you notice that the ingredients of your brownies are separating as you mix the batter, try adding in an extra splash of liquid like milk to bring the mixture back together.
Prepare Ahead of Time
Preparing for and preventing mistakes ahead of time is much easier than trying to piece your brownies back together after they're already baked. To prevent brownies from sticking to the pan at any part of the process, take the time to oil or line your brownie tin with nonstick parchment paper so that the brownies can be cut and lifted out easily.
Pay Close Attention to Cooking Times
Though baking brownies at home doesn't require a ton of skill, it does require awareness. Brownies are fragile, and just a few minutes too long or little in the oven can take this treat from dessert to disaster. Review the cooking instructions and recommended cooking time and follow it closely when choosing a brownie recipe. While most recipes will give a range in when the brownies are expected to cook, we advise checking on them 5 minutes before the time is up. As soon as you can insert a toothpick into the center and have it come out clean, your brownies are done cooking.
If you end up overbaking your next batch of brownies, don't throw them out just yet. Instead, top them with a spread or ganache to add moisture back in before serving. Or, if they're too dry to eat, crush them into a crumble which you can add to smoothies, sundaes, and other baked treats.
Allow Brownies to Cool
Cutting brownies right after removing them from the oven is a recipe for disaster. Besides being incredibly messy, cutting brownies too quickly can affect their overall taste and texture. For the best tasting brownies, allow the pan to cool completely or pop them into the refrigerator for an hour before cutting. Once cooled, brownies will be easier to cut and mess-free. How to store brownies? You can store uncut brownies in airtight containers or wrapped in 2 layers of foil.
Step Outside of Your Kitchen Comfort Zone
Though plain and traditional brownies taste great, you may want to spice things up every once in a while. If that's the case, we recommend stepping outside of your comfort zone by using creative add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. How about Paleo grain free brownies or marbled brownies with swirls of chocolate and vanilla or even a decadent cream cheese brown recipe? Choose to keep things sweet, or mix a bit of savory/salty flavors into your next brownie recipe. Or transform the dish altogether and use white chocolate instead. These Vanilla Brownies with Vanilla Glaze Frosting are the perfect example of a leveled-up brownie that guests are sure to rave about.
Shape Them
One of the easiest ways to transform a pan full of brownies is to bake them in something different. Brownies can be made in Bundt cake-fashion or cooked in cupcake trays for a more bite-sized, individual dessert. You can also get creative when shaping your brownie after they're baked by using cookie cutters to transform them into fun and festive shapes. Sprinkle in extra dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate shavings to top your brownies!
Now that you better understand how to make brownie batter ahead of time, it's time to put that knowledge to the test. Follow the tips and tricks above to make your best brownie recipe yet. With a little bit of practice, we're confident that you'll become a brownie baking master in no time. From the Bob's Red Mill family to yours, happy baking!
Do you make brownies regularly? Share your favorite tips and tricks with us in the comments below. We can't wait to learn more about your methods for making this delicious dessert.
