Confession: sometimes, I love a crunchy brownie. Weird, right? Most of us prefer a soft, ultra-chewy chocolatey delight. So when you sink your teeth into a hard mess, it can be devastating. Luckily, there are so many tips and tricks to soften up those hard babies.
Hi! My name is Michelle and brownies are definitely my downfall. I love baking them with all kinds of extras inside, such as Reese’s Pieces, walnuts, or M&Ms. The list goes on and on, really. With all of my experience, I found the right methods to make brownies soft again.
You don’t have to suffer from hard brownies. Whether you need them softened by tomorrow or need them soft now, I’ve got your answers. Below, you will find tons of great ways to soften hard brownies. They’re all really simple, too, so don’t worry about not having any extra special tools.
Who’s ready for some soft, ooey-gooey brownies?
How to Soften Hard Brownies
Like I said before, there are so many options to fix hard brownies. You are sure to find a method that works for you and your situation. Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. Quick and Easy – Microwave
If you stumbled upon this article, I would assume that you want a softened brownie now. Am I right, or am I right? The fastest way to a softened, chewy, and delicious brownie is to toss it into your handy microwave.
A few seconds will do the trick. Seriously, you do not want to overcook your brownie in the microwave. The texture becomes… odd. To avoid yet another brownie mishap, only heat your brownie for five to ten seconds, depending on the strength of your microwave.
A quick tip: place a damp paper towel around the brownie. This will help to ensure that you achieve ultimate softness by the time your microwave beeps.
2. Less Fast, Yet Still Convenient – Oven
I love the oven for many things, but heating food isn’t one of them. But if you want to get your hands on a succulent, moist, and entirely soft brownie that’s oozing chocolate, the few extra minutes are totally worth it.
To use your oven to soften your brownie, turn on the oven to 300F. Once heated up, toss the brownies in for around four to six minutes. Check them every so often to make sure they’re not overcooked. An overcooked brownie is a gummy, hard brownie that’s anything but tasty.
3. Slow But Reliable – White Bread
If you are ever in a situation where you don’t need a soft brownie right this instant, then you can always go for this low-and-slow method. To use the white bread trick, you will need a few slabs of white bread and an airtight container.
Place a piece of white bread on the bottom of the container. Next, add the brownies. Then, place another piece of white bread on top.
Seriously, it works, even though it might sound like something completely out-of-the-box and wacky. You will need to keep the white bread and brownie contraption in the container for at least a day for it to work.
How to Prevent Hard Brownies
I am a firm believer in preventing mishaps before they begin; this includes brownies. Why even set yourself up for hard, undesirable brownies in the first place? There are a few simple tricks to make sure that you never end up with hard and unforgivable brownies.
1. Don’t Put Them in the Refrigerator
A lot of people try to extend the lifespan of their brownies by sticking them in the fridge. Don’t be ashamed of this – I used to do it, too. But over time, I finally made the connection, when every time I scooped a brownie out of the container, they were as hard as a rock.
The refrigerator is going to pull moisture out of the baked treats, leaving you with nothing but a hard shell of what used to be an ooey-gooey and delectable brownie.
So what’s the alternative? Leave them on the countertop for up to four days, as long as they are sealed properly. Don’t think you can eat them that fast? For one, I applaud your self-control. Two, place them in the freezer.
Yes, you can place brownies in the freezer for up to four months. They must be wrapped and secured properly, though, to avoid the dreaded freezer burn. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw entirely, and they should be good as new.
2. Don’t Overbake
Overbaked brownies? I cringe at the thought. Overbaking is a surefire way to end up with hard brownies that aren’t too enjoyable. The best thing to do is check on your brownies a few minutes before they are ‘supposed’ to be done.
Assess the situation. When you check the center, do crumbs come out? You want a little bit of crumbly texture. If there is none, and the pick is entirely clean, then they’re overcooked.
3. Don’t Cut While Warm
If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to have to wait for baked goods to cool down before diving in. But try to have some control. Cutting warm brownies can leave them hard and anything but tasty. So, let brownies cool entirely before cutting.
FAQs
We’re all set on how to soften hard brownies and avoid the predicament in the first place. If you still have questions on this topic, then keep reading. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions bakers have pondered about.
Why are my brownies hard?
It could be that your brownies were stored incorrectly. If they are rock hard straight out of the oven, then it is likely you did not add enough wet ingredients to your batter. Double-check the ingredients and measurements next time.
What can I do with overcooked brownies?
Overcooked brownies don’t have to be wasted. Overcooked brownies actually make an excellent addition to milkshakes. They can also be chopped up and used as a topping. If you really want to get creative, pulse them in a good processor and use them in recipes.
How do you moisten brownie batter?
Brownie batter a little too dense and dry? A quick solution is to add a tablespoon or two of milk. Milk will provide wetness with a little bit of fat for a moist, delicious brownie in the end. Use chocolate milk for added chocolatey goodness!
How do you make brownies not overcooked?
One simple way to ensure that brownies don’t overcook is to rotate the pan halfway through baking. You should also check on your brownies a few minutes before they are supposed to be done. You should see crumbles sticking to the pick. Completely clean is overdone.
Final Thoughts
Hard brownies aren’t so great, but now you know how to fix them. The quickest way is to toss into the microwave and zap it for a few seconds. You can also opt for a slower method, such as baking in the oven or overnight with white bread. It’s best to prevent it from the start, though!
Have you ever ended up with hard brownies? What did you do to fix them? Share your stories with us below!
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