Can You Freeze Brownies: A How-To Guide for Fresh Brownies


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Baking brownies is one of my favorite desserts to make as a baker. Brownies have the potential to be a snack, a dessert, and even a decoration. After so many times baking brownies, I started wondering if I can make the brownies ahead of time and freeze them instead. Would they still remain fresh?

As a general rule, you can freeze brownies in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months to retain their freshness. Wrap the brownies in plastic wrap or freezer paper to prevent freezer burn and put them in an airtight container. Fully cool down the brownies before freezing to prevent excess moisture.

If you’re planning on baking a batch soon, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about freezing your brownies the right way. I talk about how to thaw properly thaw brownies as well as many other important details when freezing a delicate dessert such as a brownie!

How To Freeze Homemade Brownies?

Homemade brownies can be frozen as individual pieces or as an entire slab inside of an airtight container. Place wax paper in between each slab of brownie to prevent them from sticking to each other while frozen. Store them at a maximum stack of three pieces to prevent them from being crushed.

Freezing a batch of brownies is quick and simple, especially since they will stay fresh for quite a long time. Brownies are pretty durable, and won’t go bad too quickly if you store them right.

There are two methods I use when it comes to freezing my brownies:

  • Store the brownies as a slab
  • Store the brownies in individual pieces

If I plan on making a few batches of brownies ahead of time for a party or gathering, I usually store them as slabs.

To keep this process simple, I typically leave them in the tray they were baked in and carefully cover the tray on all sides with either plastic wrap or freezer paper. This prevents exposure to air while stored in the freezer.

This saves me from having to transfer them to another container and potentially breaking it apart before I’m ready to portion them out.

Individual Brownie Pieces with Wax Paper
You Can Freeze Individual Brownies By Using Wax Paper!
Brownie Slab Ready To Be Frozen
You Can Freeze A Whole Brownie Slab In Its Pan!

*By the way, I recently came across the perfect Brownie Pan that slices the brownies into pieces without the hustle! This Metallic Professional Slice Solutions Brownie Pan is 9 inches by 13 inches and will help get your brownies out of the pan much easier! You can check out this Brownie Pan on Amazon!

If you’re going to need your baking tray to whip up another batch soon you can also carefully take your brownie slab out of the tray and place it in an airtight container.

This will free up your tray to whip up more goodies and keep your brownies fresh in the freezer!

If you have created marble slab brownies or frosted them, you may need to take additional precautions to keep your brownies looking fresh and perfect. Consider dividing your brownies into several batches to stack them in their storage containers.

Ensure that your containers will fit the most four brownies per stack. Next, get some wax paper and cut it into sheets. This wax paper will keep your brownies from melting into each other while they are stored in the freezer.

Carefully place your wax paper between layers until you have successfully stored all your brownies!

*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about How To Freeze Brownie Batter The Right Way. This article talks about How Long Brownie Batter Lasts. You can check out this article here!

I would suggest stacking your brownies no more than three high. Any more than three and the weight of the brownies will cause the ones at the bottom to be crushed. Ideally, you would want to stack your brownies in rows of two, as this will minimize the chances of them becoming crushed while they are stored.

Does Freezing Ruin Brownies?

As a general rule, freezing brownies will not ruin their texture, taste, or appearance. In order to not ruin the brownies in the freezer, wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. Doing this will allow them to remain fresher for longer once frozen.

Stacked Brownie Pieces
Perfect Brownie Pieces Stacked After Being Thawed!

Brownies are extremely durable little desserts. As long as you are careful when preparing your brownies for storage in the freezer they should stay fresh for at least three months before you start having to worry about quality issues.

Texture and taste are a nonissue unless you didn’t take the time to store them properly in the first place. Typically, brownies will taste just as good as the first day you baked them once you’ve thawed them.

*Side Note: You might also want to know Why Your Brownies Crack On Top after baked. I recently wrote an article that talks about How To Prevent and Fix Cracks On Top Of Brownies, you can check it out here!

How Long Can You Freeze Brownies For?

On average, brownies can be frozen for up to three to four months without the risk of spoilage. Brownies can be frozen in the freezer without a change in quality or texture. Put the brownies into a freezer bag and remove any excess air out of the bag to prevent oxidation.

Sealed ContainerFreezer
Can last for up to 3 to 4 daysCan last for up to 3 to 4 months

I prepare my brownies a couple of months ahead of time when I’m planning for holiday parties or other occasions. A great way to ensure that your brownies will stay fresh is to add an additional layer of protection to your brownies.

After you’ve wrapped your brownies in plastic wrap, consider adding aluminum foil. This will help ensure they stay protected from freezer burn and retain their taste and quality.

*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about The Best Ways To Fix Undercooked Brownies. This article breaks down how to correctly fix underbaked brownies in different places. You can check out this article here!

Do Frozen Brownies Taste Good?

As a whole, frozen brownies taste good and can be enjoyed cold and partially thawed. If correctly stored in the freezer, the brownies will retain their texture and freshness after they are thawed.

Anyone who knows me can assure you that I love brownies! Whether they’re warmed up in the microwave with a scoop of ice cream on top or they’re chilled after coming out of the freezer, brownies are one of my favorite desserts.

Brownies are absolutely delicious even after they’ve been frozen for a few months!

If you’re craving a frozen treat and aren’t in the mood for ice cream, brownies are a wonderful chewy alternative. Just be sure to let them thaw for about an hour or two before digging in!

*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!

Can You Freeze Individual Brownies Pieces?

As a general rule, brownies can be frozen as individual pieces. Separate each individual brownie with a piece of wax paper before placing them in an airtight container. Individual brownie pieces will thaw at a faster rate once taken out of the freezer.

Aside from storing your brownies in slabs, you can absolutely store your brownies as individual pieces. Not only does this help ensure that each brownie is stored correctly, but it also cuts down on the time you have to take proportioning them out after you thaw them later.

Individual Brownie Pieces
Individual Brownie Pieces Could Be Frozen!

Storing your brownies individually takes a little more time and effort than storing them as slabs, but it’s totally worth it! After you’ve cut your brownies, carefully wrap each one in plastic wrap.

Then add a layer of aluminum foil to guarantee they stay fresh while in the freezer. This is the best way that I’ve found to store unfrosted brownies in the freezer.

*By the way, if you want to know The Real Difference Between Foil, Parchment paper, Wax Paper, and Freezer Paper, I wrote an in-depth article breaking down the Similarities and Differences of each one, which you can check out here!

Can You Freeze Brownies In A Plastic Storage Bag?

As a whole, you can freeze brownies by placing them in a labeled plastic freezer bag. A freezer bag provides more insulation than a regular plastic bag which will prevent the brownies from getting a freezer burn. Make sure to separate each brownie piece with wax paper.

While you can use a bag for freezer storage, it’s not my preferred method. Unless you’re using a freezer bag, ordinary plastic sandwich bags don’t provide as much insulation and protection from temperatures inside a freezer.

Storing your brownies in ordinary plastic sandwich bags can lead them to develop freezer burn and spoil. Your brownies may also start to become misshapen if you don’t take the time to separate them with wax paper.

If you’re planning to use a freezer bag to store your brownies be sure to store them in small batches. Another good idea is to clearly label each bag with the date so you can make sure to pull them out before their quality becomes compromised.

How To Unfreeze Brownies?

Brownies can be unfrozen by taking them out of the freezer to thaw at room temperature. The brownies will take about three to four hours to thaw completely. Also, you can use an oven or a microwave to slowly unfreeze the frozen brownies.

If it’s time to serve your brownies, you’re probably looking for the most efficient way to thaw your brownies out. There are a few different methods you can use, but the most conventional way is to simply pull them out of the freezer and allow them to sit on the countertop for about three to four hours.

Brownies Thawing at Room Temperature
Brownies Thawing at Room Temperature!

Once they’ve reached room temperature you can unwrap them and enjoy them!

Can You Freeze Brownies Made From A Mix?

As a whole, brownies made from a mix can be frozen and stored for up to three months to keep them fresh. Place the brownie slab in an airtight container while separating individual brownie pieces with wax paper to prevent them from sticking to each other.

Maybe you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to make homemade brownies, so you’ve decided to pick up a package of brownie mix instead. Brownies from a mix can definitely be stored in the freezer just like any homemade brownie can.

Since brownie mixes contain many of the same ingredients you would use throughout the brownie baking process, the ingredients used in the mixes lend themselves well to freezer storage.

Either way, don’t forget to wrap the brownies in plastic wrap or freezer paper to prevent freezer burn before placing them in an airtight container!

*By the way, I wouldn’t be able to fix my runny buttercream frosting if I didn’t have the right type of mixer. For this situation, I used a 5-Speed Electric Hand Mixer which can get the job done! You can check out the Hand Mixer I use on Amazon!

FAQs

Can You Freeze Brownies With Frosting?

As a general rule, you can freeze brownies with frosting without sacrificing their freshness. Cut the brownie into individual pieces and then stack them on top of each other using wax paper to prevent the frosting from ruining. Store in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.

Can You Defrost Brownies In The Oven?

As a general rule, you can defrost brownies in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes. Let the brownies thaw at room temperature for about an hour before placing them in the oven. Make sure that the inside of the brownies are fully thawed to prevent moist brownies.

How Long To Defrost Brownies In The Microwave?

To defrost brownies in the microwave you first have to adjust the microwave’s power level to 50%. After the power level is adjusted, place the brownie on a plate and thaw it for twenty seconds. Repeat this process until the brownie is at the desired temperature.

To Summarize…

Homemade brownies are one of my favorite desserts to bake. Not only are they a delicious way to end your busy work week, but they’re also portable and great to share with others!

I hope you learned some of the best ways to store and freeze your brownies so you can enjoy a fresh brownie whenever you’re craving a deliciously sweet treat!

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Fainna

My name is Fainna! I've been baking desserts ever since I was 10 years old with my grandma passing her baking wisdom down to me with every passing day. I hope you find these tips and tricks helpful here at my little Baking Nook!

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