Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Brownies?
Yes, you can freeze brownies, for even up to 4 months! You can either freeze individual brownies, or you can also freeze the entire brownie slab in the very container it was baked in. Whether you are freezing leftover brownies or freezing a fresh batch to eat later, freezing is a really great option as, like most baked goods, brownies freeze quite well.
Brownies are delicious and chew – good for all ages and for all occasions.
They are a very popular sweet treat; the fudgy nuggets of chocolaty goodness should hardly all be devoured at one go or in a single day.
Situations can always arise when you want to preserve them for later. What do you do in such a case?
Thankfully, freezing brownies is an excellent option.
Freezing causes very little changes to the color, taste, or moisture content in the brownies, so as long as they are made well, freezing them is a great way to store them for future use while preserving them in perfect condition.
This comprehensive guide based on time-tested experience and research covers everything you need to know about the cakewalk (or should we say, brownie-walk?) that is freezing brownies.
What to Note and Do Before Freezing Brownies
Before getting into the methods of freezing brownies, you need to know and keep in mind which kind of brownies require freezing.
Brownies can be of different types: fudgy or biscuit-like, for example.
The type of frosting and ingredients used plays a big role in affecting the flavor and texture of frozen brownies once thawed. Some brownies thaw better than others.
If the brownie recipe you have used uses a cream or jam filling, the extra moisture may cause the dessert to ‘sweat.’
While the flavor and taste of the brownies will not be changed in any case, the texture may be affected.
Also, if you haven’t frosted the brownies yet before freezing, it is best to do the frosting ultimately after freezing and thawing. Read on to learn the best methods for freezing.
Can You Freeze the Whole Slab of Brownies?
Materials
- Parchment paper
- Pan to bake the brownies in
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Airtight freezer bag
Instructions
Freezing the brownies as the whole slab, they were baked as is the most effective method to freeze them as it protects them from oxidation and any kind of freezer burns.
It requires prepping before you bake the brownies, so choose your method accordingly.
This method will keep your brownies at their tastiest, preserving their texture and flavor considerably.
However, defrosting would also take longer as you have to wait for all the whole slab to thaw before eating.
- Line the pan you will bake in with parchment paper – Make sure that you keep some paper left poking out from under the brownies so you can use that to remove the brownies from the pan after baking.
- Bake the brownies – Bake the brownies according to your recipe.
- Let the brownies cool completely – Give this cooling process as much time as it requires, don’t skip this step.
- Wrap the brownies in plastic wrap, then foil – Once they are completely cooled, wrap the brownies securely and tightly first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Pack the entire slab in carefully, so use the wrap and foil generously.
- Transfer wrapped brownies into freezer bag – Put the slab of brownies, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, into an airtight heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible, and then seal the bag securely. Label it with the date, and it is ready to freeze!
Freezing Brownies Individually
Time Taken: 30-40 minutes (depending on the number of brownies)
What You Need:
- Parchment paper
- Resealable airtight freezer container
This method is preferable if you have already baked the brownies and are looking to preserve leftovers.
It comes in handy to freeze individual brownies when you want them anytime to satisfy those late-night chocolate cravings.
It is also more beneficial if you don’t have room for a whole slab in your freezer – this method saves a lot more space.
Slice Cooled Brownies and Line Them in a Container
Line the base of an airtight freezer container with parchment paper.
Layer in the Brownies
Place one layer of the sliced brownies in the container. Place one more layer of parchment paper on top of the first layer of brownies.
To make sure that there remains contact with the brownies, give the paper a little push into the brownie.
Keep repeating this process of making layers till you have used up all your brownies. Top the final layer with another parchment paper.
Seal the Container and Freeze
Seal the lid of the airtight container securely and firmly, and you’re good to freeze your brownies!
In case you need any further help, you could refer to this video:
How to Freeze Brownies with Frosting
Time Taken: 2-3 hours
What You Need:
- Non-stick cookie baking sheet
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
- Airtight container/freezer bags
While freezing brownies with icing or frosting is discouraged owing to how, when thawed, your brownies can come out being sloppy and with a ruined consistency and a wet, mushy feeling.
Already frosted your brownies? Not to worry, you can freeze those too, just with a few tricks.
Flash-Freeze Brownies
Whether you are freezing your brownies all in a single block or stacking individual brownies; it is extremely important to flash-freeze your brownies in the freer for at least an hour first.
Flash-freezing sets the frosting/icing in place and makes sure the brownies do not get into a clumpy, mushy mess when freezing.
Wrap the Brownies in Plastic Wrap, then Foil
Once they are frozen hard, wrap the brownies securely and tightly first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
If you’re using an uncut block, wrap the whole thing. If you are going with pieces, wrap the individual brownies.
Wrap and Cover with Non-Stick Cookie Baking Sheet
This is actually a great tip when it comes to freezing all baked goods, but especially so when you are freezing frosted brownies.
It helps keep the frosting in place, for both the whole uncut block of brownies as well as individual brownies stacked in layers.
Transfer Brownies into an Airtight Container
Put the triple-wrapped frosted brownies inside an airtight freezer container. Seal the lid firmly and tightly, and it is ready to freeze.
Try to consume the brownies with icing/frosting within a month maximum of freezing.
The longer you keep them in freezer storage, the greater the chances of a ruined texture and consistency.
How Long Can You Freeze Brownies?
If packed in properly following the right directions according to the right method, and if temptation is withstood, you should be able to freeze brownies up to a good 3 to 4 months.
How to Store Frozen Brownies?
For all the processes and methods prescribed here, using heavy-duty, airtight, resealable, freezer friendly bags and pouches is a must, or in the other cases, airtight freezer-friendly glass or plastic containers.
And they need to be sealed really well.
A vacuum sealer is actually a great investment for this purpose, especially if you freeze food often. It would help get all the air out.
How to Defrost Frozen Brownies?
To thaw or defrost frozen brownies, you should just leave them at room temperature, for about 3 to 4 hours, even a little less should be fine.
If you are in a hurry, you can simply give them a run in the microwave for about 30 seconds, at half power. They will be very nice and warm to eat.
In fact, if that is in your cup of tea, you can even eat frozen brownies directly.
The taste would obviously be considerably different from the warm fudgy brownies you are used to, but frozen brownies do indeed have a taste and charm of their own.
You could give one a try, and if it does not work out, you can go ahead to thaw the rest in the other methods. No worries.
Can You Re-freeze Frozen Brownies?
Yes, brownies can be safely refrozen. With baked goods like brownies being rich in sugar content and low in protein, refreezing them should not be a hassle.
However, you should note that there is a possibility of refrozen brownies getting dry and crumbly and completely losing out their fudgy feel.
So, while it is technically ‘safe’ to refreeze them, try avoiding it.
Do Brownies Freeze Well?
As long as you take the proper preventative steps to avoid oxidation and freezer burns by following the steps given here closely, your frozen brownies should taste as well as fresh brownies.
Like most baked goods, brownies do freeze very well, but should also be consumed within a maximum of four months from freezing.
FAQs
To thaw the frozen brownies, take the block out of the freezer, carefully unwrap the wrappings. Cut yourself as many squares as you want with the help of a sharp, serrated knife.
It will not be difficult to cut as even frozen, they will not be too hard.
Wrap the rest of the slab carefully and put it back as it was into the freezer. Do this as quickly as possible. Then follow the rest of the steps as given before.
Yes, you can absolutely freeze blondies using the same methods described in this guide.
Both methods have their advantages and demerits. If you are freezing the whole slab, your brownies will be better preserved.
However, if you plan to keep taking out your brownies to slice and eat, it is a better idea to freeze them individually.
Weigh the merits and demerits and figure out which would work better for you given what you plan to do.
Make sure there is no exposure to air, or any chances of exposure to air. A vacuum sealer should be helpful in this regard. Also, avoid icing or frosting before freezing.
Yes! Freezing brownies into chocolate bars is actually something a lot of people do. Not only is it safe, it is also very tasty, giving a very distinct chocolaty sensation enjoyed by many. Be mindful of your dental health, through – especially when eating straight from the freezer!
Bottom Line
We have gone through the methods to freeze brownies, along with brownies with icing/frosting, as well as a number of other guidelines and things you need to keep in mind while freezing them.
We hope that this guide has helped you understand how to freeze brownies at home.
If this article was insightful and helpful for you, please share it with your friends and family, and feel free to leave any questions or inputs you have in the comment section below!