How To Freeze Dry Apple Pie Filling
Jul 6, 2023
Brownies are a dessert favorite, and some just can’t get enough of them. Often, moms and grandmoms can’t bake them fast enough for everyone to enjoy. Then, of course, there are also those late-night cravings for a good, fudgy brownie. You’re lucky if you have a couple of slices in the fridge. It’s a bummer if there’s none and you’re all too sleepy or tired to bake.
But has it ever happened to you that you bake a batch of brownies, and not everyone’s crazy about it? Like there will be either a couple or several slices left over. But the problem is, brownies can only last for 7 days in the fridge. So here’s how to freeze dry brownies for a sweet stash that can last you for years.
You can freeze-dry any brownies. If you got a favorite from a coffee shop or bakery, you’re more than welcome to use that. Brownies baked from boxed mixes are good, too, since they save you the hassle of all that measuring.
Brownies baked from scratch will work as well. But, if you got a batch made with love by your mom, favorite aunt, and grandma, freeze-drying is the best way to preserve them.
Have a recipe that you prefer but don’t have enough room to bake a huge batch? Then make it into a batter, then freeze dry it. And when you’re ready, just reconstitute it, and it’s good for baking.
Freezing brownies is an option, but doing so can help your freeze dryer immensely. It helps speed up the freeze-drying processes, especially if you live in a hot place. Those who have their freeze dryer in their garage experience longer freeze drying because of the heat.
If you’re going to freeze your brownies, use the freeze-dryer trays to keep the temperature stable. Bringing in a warm tray causes a sudden drop in temperature that interferes with the sublimation process.
Preparing the brownies for freeze-drying will depend on whether you will use baked brownies, brownie dough, or brownie batter.
Cook your brownies according to the recipe or package instructions. Once they’re ready, cool them down until they’re safe to cut to the square sizes you prefer. Line the freeze-dryer trays with parchment paper, then put your sliced brownies in. Give them a bit of space in between for better freeze-drying.
Brownie dough is also excellent for freezing dry. All you have to do is either scoop up portions or shape them into the size you want. Then put them on the freeze-dryer trays lined with parchment paper.
Homemade brownie batter always gives the best flavor and brownie experience. Especially if the recipe’s been handed down for generations. Make your batter as told by the recipe (or the instruction box if you got boxed ones).
Then instead of baking the batter, spread it over the freeze-dryer trays. Don’t go over the lip. Although the batter doesn’t expand, your freeze dryer works best if the food is not higher than the lip of the tray.
Harvest Right freeze dryers make it easy for you to freeze-dry brownies.
Depending on how moist your brownie pieces are, this can take between 10-34 hours. Of course, the outside temperature also determines how long the drying time will take.
The brownies should feel dry, crumbly, and hard to the touch. If any piece still feels soft and moist, put them back for some extra 2-4 hours of drying time.
You can store the brownie slices and dough as they are in Mylar bags or mason jars. For the brownie batter, pulverize it to a fine powder before storing it.
Once you put them in your preferred container, throw in an oxygen absorber or two. Remember that for each container gallon (not food weight), use 1 or 2 300cc oxygen absorbers to get all the oxygen out.
Some eat freeze-dried brownies as is for a crunchy snack. But if you prefer gooey brownies, reconstituting goes in different ways.
Many suggest that you wrap them in wet paper towels and then place them in airtight containers. Ziplock bags are good as well. Then leave them in the fridge overnight until they’re reconstituted.
Some recommend soaking them in milk. Place the brownie in a bowl, then add enough milk to pool at the bottom but not too much that the brownie would swim. Turn the brownie every now and then to let it just the right amount until it’s soft.
There was one who reconstituted freeze-dried brownie in a Ninja Foodie. This steamer did an excellent job of reconstituting and heating up the brownies. But if you have a rice cooker with a tight lid, that could work, too, as long as you have a rack.
Reconstitute it by wrapping the dough individually in wet paper towels. Then, put them in airtight containers and keep them in the fridge until they’re reconstituted.
It’s easier to reconstitute brownie batter if you turn it into powder. Add water until it’s in the same gooey consistency as your original brownie batter.
If you’re still looking for that brownie recipe to satisfy your chocolate craving, here are a few ones you could try.
This brownie recipe is so rich and fudgy that you can’t get enough out of it. It also comes with a frosting that are easy to make. You don’t need fancy ingredients to make this, and you can easily make it your own.
For example, someone browned the butter, and the brownies came up toffee nutty. Highly recommended even for first-time bakers.
If you want people to say “holy cow” when they taste your food, this is it. This Best Brownie Recipe Ever will make you not ever buy a boxed brownie mix again.
What’s good about this recipe is it’s got a mini FAQ for those who are making brownies for the first time. And if you’re a visual learner, there’s also a video demo on how to make this recipe work for you.
The recipe also comes in two measurements: English and metric. No more crazy computation if you’re used to a standard measurement.
They don’t call these Supernatural Brownies for nothing. The taste is just out of this world because of two things. One is its fudgy at the center, oozing with chocolatey goodness. Another is the cakey-crisp surface.
For this recipe, the secret lies in the quality of your ingredients. You only need a few, so you’re free to invest in good-quality chocolate. The preparation is also effortless and a great first project for those learning how to bake.
What type of brownie do you plan on freeze-drying? Let us know in the comment section.
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