Have you ever prepared for a birthday party well in advance? You made all the cake and brownie batter days before the party, only to realize you don’t have enough space in the fridge to keep your baked goods fresh? Can you keep your brownie batter in the fridge and bake it on the day of the party?
You can leave brownie batter in the fridge for up to five days. For the best results, try to only leave it in the fridge for up to three days before baking them. Store the batter in a covered bowl, ceramic dish, or a sealed container to prevent bacterial growth.
If you want to know all there is to know about proper brownie batter storage, read on! We have all the answers you need here today!
How Long Can You Keep Brownie Batter?
Plain chocolate brownies can be kept in the fridge for 3-5 days. For the best results, you should use them within three days to prevent them from losing their leavening agent. Baking soda can become flat in cold environments when left for several days.
The shelf life of brownie batter can vary depending on where and how you store it. We will dive deeper into each storage method later, but we’ll explore refrigeration here.
A quick answer is, brownie batter only lasts an hour or two on the counter, 2-5 days in the fridge, and a few months in the freezer.
There’s some disagreement over whether or not you should refrigerate brownie batter before baking. The benefits of refrigeration include the following:
- Gooeyer texture
- Moister
- Darker chocolate flavor
- Crisp exterior
However, some bakers claim the benefits of refrigeration are overrated. Additionally, they state refrigeration can disrupt the brownie leavening agent leaving it tasting dense and wet.
This might be a matter of preference for most bakers, but some professional bakers believe it creates an inauthentic experience. Others say it adds unnecessary baking time since the dough is cold and needs more time to warm up.
Cold brownie batter might taste gooier than room temperature because it doesn’t bake thoroughly. Since it’s colder, it takes 3-4 minutes to get warm in the oven, meaning they don’t bake all the way and remain partially raw.
You should not eat raw dough because it could have harmful, food-borne bacteria. Salmonella and botulism are the most common bacterial infections after consuming contaminated food. While you’re less likely to get sick from partially baked batter, you can still get sick if it hasn’t reached the appropriate temperature.
The FDA recommends cooking or baking all foods to 165 degrees (74 degrees Celsius). As long as your brownies reach this temperature, you’ll probably be fine, even if they’re slightly raw.
Some people prefer brownies like this, and it should be okay if they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This is just a preference. However, what seems to be a solid baking fact is if you refrigerate it too long, it can make flat brownies.
This is because moisture can impact baking soda. It’s a reactive substance, which is why it makes fluffy baked goods, but it loses its potency after exposure to moisture for long periods.
For the best results, only store your brownies in the fridge for 2-3 days and let the dough come to room temperature before baking. This should prevent it from only partially baking, and the baking soda should still be active.
How Should You Store Brownie Batter?
Store your brownie batter in the fridge inside an air-tight container for 2-3 days for best results. You can also store brownie batter in a zipper seal bag, bowl, or ceramic container covered with plastic wrap or foil. Plastic wrap is a better choice over foil because foil could leave a metallic taste in your batter.
You can use a variety of storage containers to store your brownie batter in the fridge or freezer. Some of the best options include the following:
- Sealed plastic containers
- Sealed glass containers
- Canning jars
- Zip sealed bags
- Bag with a twist tie
- Bowl covered with plastic wrap
- Wrap in parchment paper
Air-tight, plastic, or glass containers are the best storage containers in the fridge. They should always be kept between 32-38 degrees Fahrenheit (0-3 degrees Celsius). This will prevent bacteria from growing and keep your brownies fresh for longer.
Avoid using plastic containers where you previously stored savory sauces or foods. Unfortunately, plastic containers have a way of retaining oils even after thoroughly washing them. These flavors can impact your brownie batter taste.
Metal containers or tin foil coverings shouldn’t be your first choice. While they’re okay in a pinch and certainly won’t hurt you, they can impact the taste of your brownies.
We recommend using a metal container or cover for less than a day. Otherwise, the brownies could get a metallic flavor.
How Long Can Brownie Batter Be Kept at Room Temperature?
As a general rule, you should not leave brownie batter out at room temperature. This is because uncooked foods grow more bacteria the longer you leave them out at above 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). This is especially true for a batter that calls for raw eggs, which most brownie recipes advise you to use.
The FDA states that most foods should follow the 2-hour rule. This rule states that after food sits above 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) for 2 hours, it becomes saturated in bacteria. This rule is based on data indicating that bacteria multiply every 4-20 minutes.
Susceptible foods for spoilage develop bacteria faster than baked, cooked, or otherwise shelf-stable foods. Most brownies contain milk, butter, and eggs. This makes them highly susceptible to spoilage.
If your baking plans are interrupted, put your brownie batter in the fridge for storage. Since brownies are so moist and full of sugar, they’re a favorite place for bacteria to develop. Throw away brownie batter after it has sat out for more than an hour or two.
If the temperature is between 45-70 degrees Fahrenheit (7-21 degrees Celsius), it should be okay for up to 2 hours. However, if it’s a very hot day and surpasses 80 degrees (27 degrees Celsius), you should throw it away after being out for only 1 hour.
Do All Brownies Use Eggs?
Most brownies require eggs or an egg substitute. Not all brownies have eggs, most notably, vegan or allergenic brownies avoid using eggs. These brownies usually call for flax seeds, aquafaba, or brand-name egg substitutes.
Most brownies either require eggs or an egg substitute. However, brownies can be made without eggs, unlike cookies or cakes, which are flat and unappealing without eggs. Some vegan recipes skip eggs altogether and still taste fudgy and delicious.
However, even if your brownies skip eggs, they should still be refrigerated. Most brownies use milk and butter even if they don’t call for eggs (except vegan brownies). However, even if you make 100% vegan brownies, you need to refrigerate the batter before the 2-hour mark.
This is because brownies use flour and sugar, both excellent places for bacteria growth. Many people don’t realize how susceptible wet wheat flour is to bacteria growth. In the Middle Ages, ergot fungus and other bacteria were common causes of indigestion and food poisoning.
Even if you don’t use eggs or dairy in your brownies, keep the batter refrigerated until you’re ready to bake them!
Is It Best To Use Brownie Batter Right Away?
Most expert bakers prefer using brownie batter right away. The reason for this is the fridge’s negative impact on the efficacy of baking soda and other leavening agents. However, others prefer refrigerating their brownie batter before baking because they prefer the texture.
There isn’t really a straight answer as to whether you should use brownie batter right away or not. It’s mostly a personal choice based on what kinds of brownies you want to eat.
Using brownie batter right away will guarantee they rise properly and bake properly. This is best for people who want to make a standard, traditional brownie every time.
Some people prefer a gooier brownie. Refrigerating your brownies can make them gooier and crisper on top. Finally, some people claim refrigerated batter has a darker chocolate flavor, but there’s not really any consensus on this.
Basically, whether you use brownie batter right away or refrigerate it, it is up to you. Never leave your batter unrefrigerated, though, since this can cause food-borne illnesses.
Can You Freeze Brownie Batter?
You can freeze brownie batter for several months. Freezing doesn’t affect brownie batter texture negatively, and it’s a good way to store extra batter you can’t use immediately. Ensure you cover your batter properly and use freezer-safe storage containers to prevent freezer burn.
You can freeze brownie batter in the following containers:
- Baking pan
- Bowls
- Ceramic dishes
- Freezer safe bags
- Plastic containers
If you choose to freeze your brownies directly on a baking tray, ensure you cover it properly. You can use parchment paper, which is our personal recommendation. While tin foil and plastic wrap could work, it’s not as effective at preventing freezer burn as parchment paper.
Some ceramic containers come with a rubber-based lid which is great for freezer storage. If you have one of these containers, we recommend using it to freeze your brownie batter.
Finally, don’t use standard zipper-sealed bags in the freezer. These aren’t potent enough to prevent freezer burn. You should use freezer-safe bags only for the best storage results.