Last Updated on August 10, 2022
This in-depth tutorial will explain exactly how to defrost brownies in the best way. These methods will help keep them moist and chocolatey!
In the extremely busy and stressful lives, we lead, there isn’t always time to make brownies and other baked goods when you desperately need them! That is why so many people have opted to start pre-making and freezing batches of goodies in advance. Unfortunately, some items don’t freeze and defrost particularly well.
So, today we will be looking at some of the best ways to defrost brownies. And, we have included some top tips and tricks to help keep their structure and flavor intact!
How Are Brownies Made?
A brownie is a delicious chocolatey cake-like baked confection. There are a few different types of brownies classified according to their texture. These include fudgy brownies, cakey brownies, and chewy brownies. Each of these is made using unique ratios of specific ingredients. They are even baked in slightly different ways!
Brownies are made using a batter. The batter is poured into a cake pan and baked until the eggs have set. Then, finally, the brownies are completely cooled and sliced.
Can You Freeze Homemade Brownies?
Now, sometimes you need to freeze your homemade brownies. But, the real question is HOW do you properly freeze them?
As you may have experienced, often homemade baked goods don’t freeze as well as their store-bought counterparts. This is mostly because box mixes and mass-produced products contain a ton of stabilizers and preservatives. These added chemicals help protect the texture and characteristics of the item, even after it has been frozen.
Does freezing ruin brownies?
Luckily for us, brownies freeze exceptionally well, even if they are homemade. This is all thanks to their already dense texture.
Most brownie recipes, regardless of what their texture is, it is already pretty dense. This means there is less structure that will collapse when it thaws. So, for example, if you take a fluffy angel food cake and freeze it, the thawed product will likely be more dense and watered-down.
But, the packed texture (and therefore flavor) helps keep the integrity of the brownie intact.
Freezing brownies after baking -tips
There are many opinions on what the best ways are to freeze brownies. But, in our opinion, there isn’t much you can do wrong.
The best way to freeze brownies is in a large sheet before you cut them into blocks. This only works if you know you are making them to freeze them. Storing them before they have been cut will help them retain as much moisture as possible because they can still dry out in a freezer.
Alternatively, you can freeze cut brownies either in large batches or individually. The better of the two options is of course to freeze them individually, but if they are very small this may take forever to do.
How do you freeze brownies?
So, freezing brownies are incredibly easy. First, allow the brownies to cool completely. Then, wrap the large uncut sheet or big brownie portions in plastic or saran wrap. Make sure to wrap them tightly, but not squish them.
Next, wrap them in a layer of aluminum foil to help protect them against freezer burn. Finally, label the brownies with a freezing date and a use-by date. They will still be good for about 2 to 3 months after being frozen.
Then, freeze them immediately and make sure your freezer has a stable temperature. You don’t want the brownies to freeze and thaw continuously.
If you are working with smaller portions of brownies, just place all of them in a freezer-safe airtight container.
How To Defrost Brownies
Defrosting brownies is easier than freezing them! And, there are a few ways you can defrost them!
How to defrost brownies in the fridge
The easiest and most straightforward method to use is to defrost the frozen brownies in the fridge overnight. While this is a slow process, it prevents the brownies from drastically changing texture and becoming too soggy or soft.
Alternatively, you can defrost them at room temperature for a couple of hours. Just keep them away from direct sunlight or other heat sources (like the oven).
Defrosting brownies in the microwave
Another great way how to defrost brownies is to thaw them in the microwave. This method should only be done if you are planning on serving the brownies warm. It also works exceptionally well for thawing fudgy brownies.
To use the microwave, only use 50% power and thaw them in 15-second intervals. This will help you prevent the brownies from cooking or becoming completely soggy.
Remember to remove the foil and plastic wrap before placing the brownies in the microwave. Also, make sure to use a microwave-safe plate to put your brownies on.
Thawing frozen brownies in the oven
While this isn’t necessarily our favorite method, it is definitely an effective one. It works in a similar way to the microwave and will give you thawed brownies in less than 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and plastic wrap from the brownies. Place them in a lined baking tray. Then, thaw them in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes.
Just check the brownies after about 10 minutes to determine exactly how long they should still thaw. Then, continue heating them until they are ready.
How long does a brownie take to defrost?
When thawing them in the fridge, it’s best to thaw them overnight. It does take at least 4-6 hours. But, the slow defrosting allows the texture of the brownie to stay intact best.
If thawing at room temperature, depending on how hot it is, it can take anywhere between 1-3 hours.
When using the microwave, naturally, you will have a completely defrosted brownie in less than 5 minutes. Remember, you have to only use 15-second intervals. And, depending on the size of the brownie, a big sheet will take longer than a 3-inch cube.
And finally, if you are using the oven, your brownies will have been completely defrosted in less than 30 minutes.
How do you reheat frozen brownies?
If you thawed your brownies in the fridge or at room temperature, you can still reheat them to get that delicious chocolatey and gooey texture.
For this, we highly recommend using the oven instead of the microwave. Again, you can place the brownies n a lined baking sheet. Then, reheat them at 320°F (160°C). Check them after 5 minutes to see if they are hot enough and to determine how long you should continue heating them.
If you are using brownies from the fridge, they will take slightly longer. Be careful not to leave the brownies in the oven for too long as they can still over-bake and become dry.
A quicker method is to use the microwave and again, reheat them at 50% power-setting in 10-second intervals. Remember, this will go much quicker than the thawing process as these brownies have already defrosted completely!
Final Thoughts
This in-depth tutorial on how to defrost brownies makes it incredibly easy! Share it with your fellow bakers so that they can have deliciously reheated brownies too!
Read more about What Can I Do With Leftover Brownies? 8 Fun & Easy Ideas
FAQs
Can you freeze homemade brownies?
Homemade brownies freezes very well! Allow them to cool completely before wrapping them in plastic or saran wrap. Then, cover them with foil, label them, and place them in a freezer that doesn't have any fluctuating temperatures.
How long does a brownie take to defrost?
It depends entirely on how you defrost them. If you thaw them at room temperature or in the fridge, they will take anywhere between 1-8 hours, possibly overnight. But, if you are thawing and reheating them simultaneously, they will be ready in less than 30 minutes if you use the oven. If you use the microwave, it only takes about 5 minutes.
How do you reheat frozen brownies?
The best way to reheat frozen brownies are to use the oven. Place them on a lined baking tray and bake them for 5-10 minutes (if they're already thawed). For quicker results, reheat them in the microwave at 50% power setting and using 10-second intervals.
Does freezing ruin brownies?
Because brownies already have pretty dense textures, their structure and flavor doesn't get affect much by the freezing and thawing process. The only way they will be ruined is if you are using ineffective freezing and thawing methods.
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.