The Crucial Rule You Should Follow To Avoid Over-Baking Brownies

Other tips for perfectly baked brownies

The definition of a perfectly baked brownie can differ greatly from one person to another. The longer you bake a brownie, the more it transforms into a cake-like texture, losing its fudginess. If you're aiming for fudgy brownies, the classic toothpick test isn't as reliable as it is for other baked treats. When you insert a toothpick into the center of a fudgy brownie, it won't come out clean. If it does, it likely means you've overcooked them. You might be used to gently tapping the surface and expecting a firm spring-back, but that won't occur with fudgy brownies. This is where the appearance of cracks becomes useful. When you notice a light, slightly crisp layer on top of the brownies that begins to crack, tapping it should cause it to deflate a bit, create more cracks, and then maintain its shape.

Additionally, you can check for the edges of the brownies to darken and pull away slightly from the sides of the baking dish. Keep in mind that the brownies will continue to cook after you remove them from the oven, so it's important to take them out before the center is too firm and the edges become overly dark. Another helpful tip to prevent over-baking is to position the brownies on the correct oven rack. Placing them on the lower rack may lead to an overly crispy texture too quickly, while using the center rack ensures evenly baked brownies that are perfectly fudgy throughout.