How long do brownies last before they go bad?
In this article, we will answer the question “How long do brownies last before they go bad?”, and how to make the best fudgy brownies?
How long do brownies last before they go bad?
| In the pantry | In the fridge | |
| Homemade brownies | 3-4 days | 7 days |
| Bakery-bought brownies | 3-4 days | 7 days |
| Brownies ordered online | 5-14 days | 7-30 days |
How to tell if the brownies are bad?
Brownies that have been sitting way beyond their printed date, should be discarded, even If they seem alright.
Texture: If the once-moist-brownies become dry and start to crumble, it is done for. Similarly, if the brownies are too moist, old-growth is no surprise. Moldy bronies belong in the bin.
Aroma: Spoiled brownies will give off a very unpleasant or sour sell. Bad sell is an obvious sign of spoilage.
Taste: Last but, not least, taste a small crumb of your brownie. If the taste is bad, you know what to do.
Color: If the brownie frosting or filling changes color, discard the brownies right away.
How to make the best fudgy brownies?
Ingredients
- 10 tbsp (145 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup plus 2 tbsp (80 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, natural or Dutch-process
- ¼ rounded teaspoon kosher salt, use slightly less if using fine sea or table salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large cold eggs
- ½ cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (75 grams) chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325℉. Line an 8-inch square baking tray with parchment paper or foil, such that it forms flanges on the two opposite sides of the tray. This will help lift the brownies out of the tray after baking.
- Fill 1-2 inches of a saucepan with water and bring it to a light simmer.
- Mix butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl. Place this bowl over the simmering water such that the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl.
- Stir until the butter is melted and smooth. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a bit gritty at this point.
- Rest the bowl on the counter for 3-5 minutes so that the mixture loses some of its heat. Then stir in some vanilla. Then whisk in the eggs one by one.
- When the mixture looks decadent and shiny, stir on the floor. When the flour is almost mixed, give 40-50 vigorous strokes to the batter using a wooden spoon or spatula. (Check if the brownie mix is expired)
Continue beating the batter until it starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Use a hand mixer if your hand is tired. Add nuts.
- Pour the batter evenly into the pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the sides are dry and the middle is slightly underbaked. The inserted toothpick (in the center) should pick only a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool. To get clean-cut, let the brownies say in the freezer for 20-30 minutes once they are cool.
Tips for storing brownies
Avoid cutting them
Cut brownies right before you are ready to devour them. This will prevent the brownies from drying due to minimized air exposure. Chilled brownies cut clean.
Keep away from air
The best way to block the air contact is to wrap the brownies tightly with a plastic sheet or foil. Foil won’t be as good as the plastic sheet but works fine.
Alternatively, put the brownies in an air-tight container. Make sure the lid of the container has a tight seal.
Cookie tins or cookie jars can also be used but they won’t be as good as a good quality air-tight container. The simplest and most convenient storage medium is the zip-lock bag.
Add a slice of bread
To preserve the moisture and the chewiness of the brownies, store them with a bread piece in the storage container. Replace the piece when it gets dry.
Dip them in chocolate
Dipping the brownies in chocolate creates a protective layer around it that blocks all the air. It not only makes the brownies stay fresh for longer but also makes their taste richer.
Keep them at room temperature
Baked goods are best stored at room temperature. Keeping the brownies at room temperature will preserve their gooey goodness for 3-4 days. Discard after 4 days.
Refrigerate or freeze for longer storage
Plastic wrapped brownies last for 2 weeks in the fridge. Freezing is the best option for the prolonged storage of a large batch of brownies.
Divide the brownie into small portions and wrap tightly with plastic and freeze for 3 months. Thaw on the counter before devouring.
When in a hurry, microwave the frozen brownie to redeem its chewiness and freshness. Thawing in the fridge is recommended.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How long do brownies last before they go bad?”, and how to make the best fudgy brownies?
