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Nobody likes a dry brownie, especially when it gets hard. Luckily, there are several ways to soften and moisten them so that they’re delicious once again.
As a general rule, the best way to soften and moisten dry brownies is by using a microwave. Wrap the brownies in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The moisture from the paper towel will help to rehydrate the brownies and make them soft and moist again.
It can get frustrating when you want to enjoy a great brownie but it’s super hard. Follow along as I break down some more tips and tricks on how to soften them up!
Why Did Your Brownies Get Dry And Hard?
Overbaking is among the most common reasons why brownies become dry and hard. If you’ve baked your brownies for too long, they will likely become overcooked, resulting in a dry and crumbly texture.
Other reasons why brownies may become dry include baking at the wrong temperature, using too much flour, or not adding enough fat to the recipe.
*By the way, to save even more time, I found this amazing brownie pan that pre-cuts your brownies! The Non-Stick Brownie Baking Pan with Dividers cuts my time down AND prevents any of my brownies from breaking! You can find them on Amazon!
10 Best Ways to Soften Your Hard Brownies Every Time:
Most of us have probably baked brownies only to have them turn out hard and dry but not everyone knows that there are ways to salvage them.
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to soften hard brownies and bring them back to their delicious, moist, and chewy state.
Here are the top 10 ways to soften and moisten your dry, hard brownies so that you can enjoy them once again:
Use A Damp Paper Towel
A damp paper towel will not only rehydrate your brownies but also help to prevent them from drying out too quickly.
Simply wrap the brownies in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 4-6 seconds.
How this works is very simple. The moisture from the paper towel will help to rehydrate the brownies and make them soft and moist again.
The heat from the microwave will also help to loosen up the brownies so that they’re easier to eat.
The advantage of this method is that it’s quick and easy to do. Plus, it doesn’t require any special ingredients or tools. The only downside is that those people who do not have a microwave may not be able to use this method.
The Moist Bread Method
This is a true classic and one of the best ways to soften your hard brownies. All you need is a slice of moist bread and your dry, hard brownies will soften up in a few hours.
Simply place a slice of bread on top of your brownies and seal the container tightly. The moisture from the bread will help to rehydrate the brownies and make them soft again.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t require any special ingredients or tools. The downside is that it takes quite a bit of time, so you do need to be patient.
Using Milk
Milk is another great way to soften and moisten your dry brownies. Simply pour some milk over the brownies and let them sit for a few minutes.
The milk will help to rehydrate the brownies and make them soft and moist again.
The reason most people prefer this method is that it’s quick and easy to do. Plus, it doesn’t require any special ingredients or tools. The only downside is that those people who are lactose intolerant may not be able to use this method.
Using A Little Bit Of Butter
Everyone loves butter and it’s no surprise that it can also be used to soften and moisten dry, hard brownies. All you need is a bit of butter and your dry brownies.
Simply spread the butter over the top of your brownies. The fat from the butter will help to rehydrate the brownies and make them soft and moist.
I like this method because you can use any butter you have in the refrigerator, so you don’t need to buy any special ingredients.
However, some people do not use butter when they’re baking, so this method may not be suitable for them.
Reheat In The Oven
Preheat the oven to 300°F and place the brownies on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes until the brownies are softened and moistened.
This method is easy as it will warm and soften your brownies in minutes.
*Make sure to use this method in combination with the butter method or any other method that includes liquid ingredients!*
Also, you already have your oven so you do not need any other equipment. However, you want to be careful you don’t overbake them as this could result in your brownies drying up and hardening again.
*By the way, my oven recently wrote so I decided to write an article about Baking Brownies Without An Oven. This article breaks down all the things that you can use to bake brownies without using a traditional oven. You can check out this article here!
The Wax Paper Method
The wax paper method is a great way to bring moisture back into your dry brownies. Line a clean container with waxed plastic wrap and place the freshly baked brownies on top.
Make sure there is space between pieces of your brownies. Put another piece of waxed paper on top and seal the container tightly.
Doing this will trap the humidity from the freshly baked hot brownies inside the container which will then absorb back into the brownies making them softer!
Let it sit overnight and your brownies will be softened and moistened again. This method is great because it requires no special ingredients. However, it takes quite a bit of time, so you do need to be patient.
Other methods of softening and moistening dry brownies include:
Using Honey
Honey will help to add moisture and sweetness to your dry brownies. Simply brush a thin layer of honey over the brownies before you serve them.
It is readily available but it can take some time before your brownies get soft and moist.
Using Fruit
If you don’t have any milk or butter, then using fruit is a great way to rehydrate your brownies.
Place some sliced apples or bananas on top of your brownies and cover tightly. The moisture from the fruit will help to soften and moisten them again.
Fruit is also readily available but it also takes a bit of time to get your brownies soft and moist again.
Use Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a great way to add some moisture and sweetness to your dry brownies. Drizzle some over the top of your brownies and let them sit for a few minutes.
The moisture from the syrup will help to soften and moisten them again.
You will need to give your brownies a little time but maple syrup is readily available and doesn’t take too long to work.
Use Ice Cream
Ice cream is a great way to moisten and soften your dry brownies. Simply add a scoop of ice cream on top of the brownies for a few minutes before serving.
The moisture from the ice cream will help to rehydrate them and make them soft and moist again.
This method is relatively quick but you need to be careful not to let them sit too long as this could result in soggy brownies. Plus, you need to have ice cream available which may not always be the case.
How Do You Keep Baked Brownies Soft?
Tightly wrap your baked brownies in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container to keep them soft. Keeping the brownies away from open air will prevent them from drying out and becoming hard. You can also store the brownies at room temperature for the best results.
Below, I found a video that gives the best explanation of the science behind a perfect brownie:
There are 3 general ways to keep your baked brownies soft and delicious:
- Store the brownies properly
- Add moisture to the brownies
- Freeze the brownies
All three of these methods will allow the brownies to remain fresh so that you don’t have to try to soften them when it’s too late. Just remember, brownies are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven every time!
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about Freezing Baked Brownies The Right Way. This article talks about the steps you need to take to freeze your brownies to make them last longer. You can check out this article here!
Can You Eat Hard Brownies?
While it is okay to eat hard brownies, it is not recommended as they can be difficult to chew and swallow. However, some people actually prefer their brownies on the harder side, as they can give them a satisfying crunch and texture.
That being said, it’s important to use your best judgment when it comes to eating hard brownies.
*By the way, I recently came across a wheel dough cutter tool that can help you cut any baked good in perfect symmetry! This Stainless Steel Wheel Dough Cutter can be used to cut pizza, pasta, noodles, or even cakes, and brownies. You can find these cutters on Amazon!
If your brownies have been sitting out at room temperature for too long, or if they have mold or an off smell, it’s better to toss them and start over.
But if they still smell and look good, go ahead and enjoy them! After all, a less-than-perfect brownie is still better than no brownie at all. Just make sure to follow the tips above to make sure your brownies remain soft and moist.
Do Brownies Get Harder As They Cool?
As a general rule, brownies do tend to get harder as they cool. This is due to the fact that the moisture in the brownies begins to evaporate as they cool, which can cause them to become harder and drier. However, the rate at which brownies cool can also impact how hard they become.
When I was looking at the best amount of time for brownies to cool, I came across a great answer that should help everyone out! According to EatPallet.com:
“Your brownies will not harden if you let them cool down on their own. The right temperature to get the perfect firm texture of the brownies that melt in your mouth is to let them cool down at room temperature.”
EATPALLET
If you leave your brownies out to cool at room temperature, they may become harder than if you were to place them in the refrigerator or freezer to cool.
This is due to the fact that the refrigerator’s or freezer’s lower temperature can aid to keep moisture in the brownies and keep them from drying out too much!
To prevent this from happening, make sure you store them in an airtight container at room temperature, or follow the tips above to soften and moisten your brownies again.
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about How To Remove Brownies Out of The Pan Without Breaking. This article breaks down the step-by-step process of safely removing brownies from their pans. You can check out this article here!
How to Soften Hard Brownies without A Microwave?
The best way to soften hard brownies without a microwave is to reheat them in the oven. Drizzle some water or milk over the top of your brownies before placing the brownies back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes. The oven will evaporate the moisture into the hard brownies making them softer.
Overall, there are many different ways to eat brownies, regardless of whether you prefer them soft and gooey or hard and crispy. Thus, don’t be reluctant to experiment with various recipes and methods to find your ideal brownie!
