How Long Do Brownies Last? Can They Go Bad?
Brownies are pretty much to go-to and the ultimate baked treat. Whether you’ve baked them at home with the kids or bought them at a bakery, they always hit the spot. But what happens when you just have too much to get through? Will they last for long enough to be enjoyed again? Will you have to throw them out? If these are the answers you are looking for, we have the answers for you! Read on!
(Also Read: Sea Salt & Cacao Nib Brownies (+ Brownie Sundaes with Whiskey Pepper Chocolate Magic Shell)
Do Brownies Go Bad?
Unfortunately, your brownies won’t keep forever. At some point, you will either need to wolf them down or get rid of them. Luckily, we have found some great ways to store them so that they will last a very long time. So, no more chucking out suspicious-looking baked goods. We’re going to show you the best methods of storing brownies for the longest possible time. We are also going to go through the signs that your brownies are going off. First up, how to store your brownies.
How Do I Store Brownies?
Brownies can come in all shapes and sizes, with loads of variety in the ingredients lists. However, no matter how the brownies are made, they still store in much the same way. The big thing that you should be on the lookout for is exposure to the elements. Too much moisture and your brownies will begin to spoil. Too much exposure to air will mean that your brownies will get super dry. This is why you always see premade brownies in an individual plastic wrapper. So, when you are making your own brownies, it is best to seal them up in a bag. If not, your best option is to put them into an airtight container instead.
Another tip for homemade brownies: It might not be a good idea to divide up the slab straight away. The more of the surface that is exposed, the quicker it will dry out. Instead, try to wrap it all up in the tray. Failing this, you can always divide it into a few bits and store it in airtight containers. This way, they can be cut just before they are served – nice and fresh!
Storing brownies in the pantry
Not a lot of people will know this, but brownies can be stored at room temperature. There are a few downsides to doing this, but it can work if you don’t have fridge space. The key thing to remember is that you should only really store the fluffier type of brownies this way. The denser and moist types need the fridge. This is because bacteria grow quicker in warm and moist conditions. So, if you have a drier mix, this will work for you. Just always remember to store them somewhere dry and cool. An airtight container will do just fine for this purpose.
Storing brownies in the refrigerator
If there is any doubt, it is always best to err on the side of caution and use the fridge. The temperature in your fridge is much more hostile to bacterial growth. The temperature in there is also more steady than that in your pantry. If there is dairy in your brownie mix, this is extra important. However, there is a pitfall that you should avoid. If you put the brownies in the fridge uncovered, they can absorb other odors from the fridge. They can also pick up extra moisture which will cause them to go off prematurely. So, when refrigerating brownies, always remember to wrap them or put them in an airtight container.
Should You Refrigerate Brownies?
When in doubt, always store your brownies in the fridge. Some brownies will be shelf-stable, but the packaging may be unclear. Putting these in the fridge won’t damage them, so there is no real risk. On the other hand, if you put brownies in the pantry that were made to be refrigerated, you may find yourself in trouble. It is important to remember that brownies will only last as long as the ingredient that goes off first. In most cases, this will be the dairy content.
Can You Freeze Brownies?
When you want to save your delicious treats for later, this is the best option you have. Thankfully, freezing brownies is pretty simple – though some will thaw a bit differently to others. For example, you may have difficulty freezing brownies with cream cheese or jam in them. This is because of what happens when they thaw out. During thawing, the cream or jam will begin to seat through the other ingredients, leaving you with mushy brownies. Also, if you are freezing frosted brownies it is best to add the frosting before serving rather than before freezing.
How to freeze brownies
The best way to freeze brownies is to freeze the whole tray. Simply wrap it up tight in plastic wrap and stick it in the freezer. This way, though the outer edges may get a little dry, everything in the middle will keep really well. But, this means you can’t easily grab a portion here and there! Ok, we have a fix for that. If you want to keep picking away at your frozen brownies gradually, here’s what you do. You can portion out a few brownies into airtight containers and gradually defrost a few at a time over the next few months.
How to thaw brownies
Our favorite way to thaw brownies is to simply leave them on the counter until they get to room temperature. This isn’t the only way though. They can also be thawed out in the microwave. The best way to do this is to do it in 10-second increments at half power. That way you won’t risk totally nuking them.
How Long Do Brownies Last?
Brownies will last a totally different amount of time, depending on how they were stored. The trouble with giving you an exact date is that there are so many different types of brownies! Despite this, here are the best estimates we can give you for how long your brownies will last.
Brownies stored in the pantry
The storage dates of brownies are just all over the place. There are just so many types! So, here is our attempt to touch as many bases as we can. Homemade brownies will last for 3 or 4 days in the pantry. Some may last longer, but won’t be all that tasty after this time. With the type of brownies that can be ordered online, it is far more complicated. Depending on the ingredients, some will last 3 days, others for 7. For safety, always read the manufacturers’ advice.
Brownies stored in the fridge
Storing your brownies in the fridge will buy them a little more time. Homemade brownies will last for about a week in the fridge. Store-bought brownies, on the other hand, can last for nearly a month sometimes. It all depends on what is in them.
Brownies stored in the freezer
Denser and moister brownies tend to store for longer in the freezer. The drier mixes are likely to go crumbly after a while, so we would recommend storing these in the fridge. For the fudge-like variety, these will be excellent for up to 3 months after they were frozen.
How Do I Make Brownies Last Longer?
Unfortunately, there is no great secret to making brownies last longer. If you really want to make them last for ages, the best thing to do is to bake a dense variety at home. These can then be frozen for up to 3 months. They will also not diminish in quality in this time.
Signs That Your Brownies May Have Gone Off
So, we have seen that it can be difficult to figure out when your brownies are going to go off. Because of this, it can be useful to know the signs that your brownies are going off. The early signs can be hard to spot. The first thing that will happen will be that your brownies will start to turn a darker color. The aroma will also lose its sweetness. If you notice any of these, it is best to discard the brownies. After this, the only other sign you should notice is mold. There aren’t really any signs in between. As a safety measure, if you have had your brownies longer than you think you should have, throw them out.
