Imagine the supreme taste of hot fudge brownies melting in your mouth; sounds delicious, doesn’t it? With the right amount of cocoa and sugar, it is the ideal sweetener for people looking for a good fix. Paired up with milk or coffee, the combination is truly unmatchable. But, just like all things sweet, brownies also have an expiry date.
When baking a fresh batch of brownies, it is imperative to take their shelf life into account. Since it cannot all be gobbled down instantly, try assessing other options to extend their life.
So, how long do brownies last? To give an exact answer to the question is rather difficult. The shelf life of a brownie will depend on several different factors- from the ingredients to the storage type, all factors play their part.
Brownie Point 01: How long do brownies last?
As established before, brownies and their shelf life will vary depending on the choice of ingredients. From a more general perspective, however, these delectable goodies can last up to four days in the pantry. But of course, you can’t expect your little brownie to maintain the same flavor after days of sitting in the pantry. Thus, there may be a slight difference in the taste and texture of your baked goods.
While the bar for simple brownies remains capped at four days, the extra fudge and gooey brownies may be a separate situation altogether. These brownies are said to only last for two days, as the extra moisture in them can’t sit for too long.
Additionally, fudge brownies are also made from a set of extra ingredients, such as additional eggs, filling, and extra cream. All these ingredients are sensitive and require cold storage. Hence, in the case of fudge brownies, the shelf life is much shorter than that of normal brownies.
If brownies can’t stay out in the open for too long, there must be some way to optimize their storage. Yes, you guessed it right; there is a hack and it has much to do with the method of storage.
Brownie Point 02: How to store brownies?
Normal brownies can be stored in the pantry at room temperature. By storing the brownies at room temperature, the moisture is removed as that could spoil the sweet entirely.
If you want your brownies to stay for a longer period, try storing them in an airtight container. With the brownies packed tight inside a box, air wouldn’t be able to pass through and there is a higher chance of the dessert to stay in shape and maintain its rich flavor.
Many times, you may cook an entire batch of brownies, out of which only a few are consumed. In such a case, make sure to wrap the leftover brownie pan with a plastic cover as leaving it exposed will make the brownies dry and crunchy.
Brownie Point 03: Can you freeze brownies?
If you store your brownies properly, they will last a good 4-5 days at maximum. However, if you want your baked treats to last longer, freezing is a potential solution to the problem. It is safe to put your brownies on the freezer shelf.
Freezing is the most ideal option to keep the dessert in its original shape for an extended period. Put your brownies into freezer bags as this would not allow the cold air to pass through and enter the bag. Also, make sure to cover the entire slab with a plastic covering, accompanied by a thicker layer of aluminum foil.
As far as defrosting is concerned, just put the bag in the refrigerator. The brownies will automatically defrost and return to normal shape and texture.
P.S: The freezing setting will not work in the case of brownies with a heavy cream filling.
Brownies: Only a “Quick” Treat?
Now that we’ve figured out how long do brownies last, a question remains: Are brownies just a quick treat? There may not be a precise answer to this question- while some may argue that a brownie is much more than a quick treat, others may contest by saying it gets spoiled too quickly. In any case, brownies are edible heaven. They may not have a very long shelf life but are still one of the best desserts out there.
As far as the shelf life is concerned, you can store it in an airtight container or opt for the freezer method to ensure a longer time.