Got underbaked, overbaked, or leftover brownies? Here are some easy ideas for rescuing your brownies from disaster or from the trash can.
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Brownie fail!
Sure, I have a recipe fail now and again.
Often, it’s again and again.
But that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world, right? As long as you haven’t burnt them black, brownies are almost always salvageable in one way or another.
Also, if you want a brownie recipe that comes out right every single time, try my signature brownies or my decadent flourless brownies.
Problem #1 – Brownies Underbaked in the Middle
This happens with really fudgy brownie recipes sometimes; they just never get done in the middle, while the outside rim quickly crusts and dries out. Take the brownies out of the oven. Since the edges are done, cut them off. If the leftover middle section is on the larger side, cut it in half and scoot the two pieces apart. Put it back in the oven to finish baking.
Use this test to tell when they’re done!
Problem #2 – Overbaked & Leftover Brownies
Brownies, by definition, should be moist. What good is a dry brownie?
I’m glad you asked.
Whether brownies have dried out by overbaking or simply from being a day or two old, there are still uses for them. Here are some ideas:
- Put them in a food processor and pulse until you have crumbs. Seal in an airtight container and use to top yogurt, garnish whipped cream, use in lieu of cocoa powder on top of tiramisu, etc.
- Speaking of tiramisu, brownies can be used in place of ladyfingers in tiramisu. Simply cut to size and follow your tiramisu recipe.
- Brownies can be chopped into pieces and stirred into ice cream or used as an ice cream topping.
- Throw them in a milkshake (thank you, CakeSpy!) or smoothie.
- Top with ice cream and a shot of espresso. Brownie affogato!
- Or you can put the pieces in a bowl, pour milk over them, and pretend they’re cereal. (It’s the breakfast of champions.)
Using one of these neat brownie edge pans can also help make sure that they cook evenly in the future.
Have you ever used underbaked, overbaked, or leftover brownies creatively? Share your ideas in the comments below!
CakeSpy
I always joke that even if your recipe doesn’t come out perfectly, I can pretty much guarantee it will taste great in a milkshake. It’s related to your ice cream trick, but it has a nice tagline: make it a shake!
If brownies are somewhat under-done I’ve made them into cake pops. Some might worry about the undercooked eggs. I usually don’t worry, and I’m not dead yet.
Katie
Milkshake! How did I not think of that? I even read a brownie milkshake recipe last month; don’t know where I put my brain- must be around here somewhere…
I wouldn’t worry too much about the eggs. We eat eggs in custards all the time that are heated just enough to kill off the bacteria. I think if the brownies have been in the oven for 20 minutes, they’ve been heated at least that much, if not more so.
Always nice to see you! 🙂
Viju
Can we use them as a base for a cheesecake?
Katie Moseman
If it’s a cheesecake you have to bake, I would say that re-baking the brownies would probably dry them out too much. However, you could certainly use them as a base for a no-bake cheesecake recipe. Place the brownies in the bottom of a deep pan and pile your no-bake cheesecake batter on top (you can skip the graham cracker crust). This recipe looks like a good one: http://www.marthastewart.com/858246/no-bake-cheesecake
For best texture, a no-bake cheesecake really should sit in the fridge overnight to firm up.
Thanks for stopping by!
-Katie
Sheila Nussbaum
You could make an ice cream cake using a spring form pan. Layer with brownie”crumble” and two flavors of ice cream. Top with a thin layer of hot fudge (not heated). Freeze and serve.
Karin
I am doing this today for Christmas tomorrow. Bottom layer chopped up two day old brownie bites, a layer of softened peppermint stick ice cream, a thin layer of fudge sauce. Freeze then serve with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Susan Le May
Can they be added to a pan with extra ingredients and simmered for a bit then used as no bake cookies?l
Katie Moseman
I would think that would work… kind of like making cake pops?
Darlene
Grind them up in the food processor and mix with butter just kie you would with Oreos or graham cracker crumbs..
Cecilia Berber
Crumble them up and use them to make oatmeal more interesting.