What to Do If Brownies Are Too Soft? (6 Quick & Easy Tips)

Did you make a batch of brownies but… they’re just too soft?

There’s nothing worse than getting a craving for a yummy treat like brownies, taking the time out of your day to make the perfect recipe… only for it to fall flat, end up soft, or even mushy! Sometimes brownies are too bubbly!

But… you don’t need to worry! Even if your brownies are too soft, there’s a way to fix them! In fact, there are several tricks you can use to transform them back into beautiful, firm, yet gooey brownies with just the right “softness”.

Keep reading to learn exactly how to fix brownies that are too soft in no time!

P.S. If you want the perfect brownie recipe, we’ve got three you can use:

The first is extra chocolatey: Easy Vegan Brownie Recipe (No Flax)
The second is great if you have a sweet and salty tooth and want a slightly less fudgy one: Easy Vegan Brownie Recipe (No Chocolate Chips)
The third has a slight hint of maple syrup and is delicious: Easy Vegan Brownie Recipe (No Butter).

Even a non-vegan would be fooled by these three brownie recipes (they’re that good)!

Without further ado, let’s dive right in and fix your soft brownies!

Here’s What to Do If Brownies Are Too Soft:

If your brownies are too soft or mushy, here are a few simple tricks:

Bake them for a few more minutes
Microwave them (for 1-2 minutes)
Double-check that you followed your recipe correctly
Add more dry ingredients like flour or cocoa powder
Add a tablespoon of corn starch
Let them cool for a bit longer

Table of Contents

How Do You Fix Brownies That Are Too Soft?

So, how do you fix brownies that are too soft?

Well, the reality is that when brownies are “too soft” there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all answer. This is because there could be a number of reasons your brownies are too soft, such as:

There’s too much liquid
There are not enough dry ingredients
They weren’t baked for long enough
Your oven isn’t hot enough
And more

Don’t worry, we’ll get to the bottom of it and have your brownies fixed up in no time. Here are six tips to fix brownies that are too soft:

1. Bake Them for a Few More Minutes

If your brownies are too soft, the most likely culprit is that they simply need to bake for a little bit longer.

The first thing you want to do is simply put them back in the oven for a few more minutes. Start by placing them back in for 5 minutes.

If you’re concerned about the edges of your brownies getting crisped up too much, here’s a little trick: cover the outside edges of your brownie tray with a bit of tin foil before placing them back in the oven.

After 5 minutes, check them with a toothpick. If they’re still too soft, place them back in for another 5 minutes. If you start going past 40 minutes total baking time, they’ve likely been in the oven for too long and you probably need to try something else to fix them.

2. Microwave Them

Microwave the brownies? Really?

Yes, really! Before rolling your eyes and leaving the page, hear me out.

There’s a reason the top restaurants in the world have microwaves. There’s a reason nearly every home in America has a microwave. While they’re infamous for contributing to less-than-ideal meals in the kitchen, they certainly have their place.

And if you’re dealing with some soft or even mushy brownies, they can work wonders.

Here’s a little secret you may or may not know. Ovens bake from the outside of your recipe and work inward. Microwaves bake your recipe from the inside and work outward.

I’ll repeat that. Ovens bake outside to inside. Microwaves bake inside to outside.

So, if the center of your brownies are a bit soft, another thing you can do is microwave them (carefully) for a few minutes.

What you want to do is take your brownies out of the oven and let them cool off for a couple minutes. You’ll want to make sure that your dish isn’t piping hot when you place it in the microwave as it could potentially damage your microwave.

Of course, if your brownies are in a metal tray, you’ll have to transfer them into a microwave-safe container first. This is easy to do if you use parchment paper to line your baking tray. Then, bake your brownies in the microwave on medium for 1-2 minutes (or until the center firms up the way you like it).

3. Double Check Your Recipe

You’re not going to like this tip. But, it’s crucial to solving your “soft brownie” problem.

Go back to your recipe. Double-check the ingredients, the method—everything.

Did you use baking powder instead of baking soda? Did you use a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon? Did you put in 2 eggs instead of 1? Did you add a 1/2 cup of flour instead of 1 cup?

Check to make sure you put the exact ingredients that were required.

4. Add More Dry Ingredients

As mentioned above, one of the primary reasons brownies turn out too soft is because of a simple mistake like adding too little flour or adding too much oil or eggs.

If you’re dealing with a mushy or soft brownie recipe, try adjusting it by adding a bit more dry ingredients like flour or cocoa powder. This will help get rid of some of the mushiness, giving you a firmer brownie.

5. Add Some Cornstarch

When in doubt, cornstarch it out!

If you’ve made some brownies but they’re just coming out too soft or mushy, then a quick fix on the next batch is to add a little bit of cornstarch to the recipe. Start with a tablespoon of cornstarch and mix it into the batter really well. Just be careful not to add too much as it can add a strange taste to the brownies.

6. Let Them Cool (They Might Just Need Time)

If your brownies are still too soft, and you’re not sure why, you might just have to wait a little longer to let them cool.

Brownies can take 30-60 minutes to fully cool down. They’re best served when they’ve had the chance to fully cool down. Not only does this make them stick together easier, and allow the flavors to fully develop, but letting your brownies cool down completely allows them to harden and gain additional firmness.

Your brownies may feel soft, mushy, or even fragile for the first 30 minutes. Don’t worry! If you’re certain you followed a good brownie recipe properly, then the brownies may just need a bit of time to harden up a little bit.

It’s important to let them cool for a minimum of 30 minutes so they have time to get a bit firm for that perfect fudgy texture that brownies are famous for.

4 Tips for Making Brownies Just Right

If you’re trying to make a yummy brownie recipe, then there are a few simple tips you need to follow to make sure they come out just right!

1. Use Parchment Paper

First things first. There’s nothing worse than cutting into your brownies only to realize they’re stuck to your baking tray.

This is especially embarrassing if you’re sharing your brownies with some guests and want them to taste and look delicious. The trick to making sure you can cut them out of the baking tray nice and clean is by using parchment paper to line your baking tray (rather than putting the batter straight into the tray).

2. It’s Better to Underbake Than Overbake

With brownies, there’s nothing worse than a burnt top, and dry center. If you’re ever unsure whether you’ve underbaked or overbaked your brownies, just pull them.

It’s better to pull them while they’re a bit under than a bit over. You can always put them back in the oven (or pop them in the microwave quickly) to bring them to completion. But, if you overbake them, you can’t undo it!

3. Use a Toothpick to Check Doneness

As I just mentioned, you want to make sure you’re pulling your brownies before you overbake them. Generally speaking, they should be done around the 25-30 minute mark with most brownie recipes.

Once you hit 25 minutes, use a toothpick in the center to check if the batter is still wet. Then, check again every few minutes if they need to go back in.

Just keep in mind, if you’re making a fudgy brownie recipe, the toothpick will come out gooier than a “regular” brownie recipe.

4. Upgrade to a Convection Oven

This one isn’t the simplest tip. But, it is a game changer when it comes to your ability to whip up delicious recipes in the kitchen, including brownies.

Compared to traditional conventional ovens, convection ovens come with an internal fan that circulates the heat evenly throughout the entire oven. This makes it much easier to get an even bake on all your recipes.

Looking for the perfect brownie recipe? Well, I’ve got two for you! Yes, they’re vegan. But! They’re just as good (if not better than traditional dairy brownies).

The first is an extra chocolatey and fudgy brownie: Easy Vegan Brownie Recipe (No Flax).

The second is great if you want a slightly less fudgy brownie (and you have a bit of a salty tooth): Easy Vegan Brownie Recipe (No Chocolate Chips).

The third has a tiny hint of maple syrup and is so yummy: Easy Vegan Brownie Recipe (No Butter).

Even a non-vegan would love these brownies (trust me… they’re that good)!

Looking for more tips on making the perfect brownies? Make sure to check out our other posts:

Sources

https://www.sciencedirec t .com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/convection-ovens

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/convection-oven-vs-conventional-oven-explained