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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Brownie Recipes

    Refrigerator Bakery Brownies

    Lindsay Moe

    18019 shares

    Make your own bakery brownies at home with this rich, indulgent recipe! Dense fudge brownies are topped with fudge frosting and chilled for that straight-from-the-bakery experience.

    Refrigerator Bakery Brownies cut into squares on a sheet of parchment paper.
    Jump to Recipe

    While a warm, melty brownie is fantastic, sometimes an ice cold one can be just as good.

    Today we’re making refrigerator bakery brownies to help you save a little money on that corner bakery habit you might have. Once you learn how easy it is to make bakery worthy brownies at home, you might never go back!

    What is a bakery brownie, you might ask? It’s that generously portioned brownie you’d spend big bucks on at your favorite bakery. It usually comes out of the case chilled and loaded with chocolate.

    What makes these the best brownies

    This brownie recipe has all the qualities you’d find in your favorite brownie from the local bakery. They’re thick and dense with lots of chocolate flavor. They’re also topped with a rich frosting that pairs perfectly with the dark chocolate taste.

    Refrigerator Bakery Brownies in a baking pan next to a knife, plate, and chocolate chips.

    Bakery brownie ingredients

    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • Butter
    • Unsweetened chocolate
    • Light brown sugar
    • Granulated sugar
    • Eggs
    • Egg yolk
    • Vanilla extract
    • Semisweet chocolate chips
    All of the ingredients used to make Refrigerator Bakery Brownies.

    How to make refrigerator bakery brownies

    1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    2. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. In a medium, heatproof bowl, add butter and unsweetened chocolate. Place the bowl over, but not touching, the simmering water and allow to melt, stirring occasionally to incorporate.
    3. Once the butter and chocolate have melted, remove the bowl from the simmering pot and whisk in the brown and granulated sugar.
    4. Whisk in the egg, yolk, and vanilla.
    5. Add the flour mixture all at once and fold into the chocolate mixture with a spatula until well incorporated.
    6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
    7. Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8 inch square baking pan and bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

    Fudge frosting ingredients

    • Semisweet chocolate chips
    • Butter
    • Vanilla extract
    • Salt
    • Powdered sugar
    • Milk
    All of the ingredients used to make the frosting for Refrigerator Bakery Brownies.

    How to make fudge frosting

    1. Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted.
    2. Whisk in the vanilla and salt, then stir in the powdered sugar.
    3. Add the milk a few drops at a time, whisking briskly, until the frosting is smooth and shiny.
    4. Spread immediately on the cooled brownies. Refrigerate until the frosting is set and you are ready to serve.

    Top tips

    How to grease and flour a pan

    Using your hands, spread a thin layer of butter or shortening all around the inside of the baking pan. Next, add a few spoonfuls of flour to the pan.

    Hold the pan in one hand and tap it with the other, changing the angle of the pan until the inside is completely coated with flour. Hold the pan upside down over a trash can and tap to remove any excess flour.

    How to make a double boiler

    When making the brownies, you’ll want to melt the butter and chocolate gently using a double boiler. This means placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water.

    It is important to make sure the simmering water doesn’t reach the bottom of the bowl. You could also use the double boiler method to melt the butter and chocolate for the frosting if you prefer.

    If you don’t have the tools for this or just don’t want to do it, you can use the microwave to melt the butter and chocolate in short bursts, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

    Refrigerator Bakery Brownies cut into squares on a sheet of parchment paper next to chocolate chips and a knife.

    How to know when brownies are done

    Brownies should still be very soft when you remove them from the oven. If they look dry and hard they are overcooked.

    Test brownies for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center, being careful to avoid any melted chocolate chips. The toothpick should come out almost clean or with moist crumbs attached. If it comes out wet, check again in a few minutes.

    How to store fridge brownies

    Store these brownies covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    Tips for customizing

    • Add a dash of instant coffee to the brownies with the sugar
    • Fold chopped walnuts into the batter
    • Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white or dark chips
    • Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these gluten-free
    Top view of Refrigerator Bakery Brownies stacked on a white plate.

    FAQ

    Can I frost brownies while they’re warm?

    I recommend frosting your brownies after they’ve cooled completely. If you frost while they’re warm, they can melt the butter in the frosting, making a greasy mess that is difficult to apply evenly.

    Do brownies need to be refrigerated?

    Brownies do not need to be refrigerated. However to get the full experience of this recipe you will want to keep it chilled.

    While I prefer the taste and texture of these brownies straight out of the refrigerator, you are welcome to leave them at room temperature or even warm them up before eating.

    Why refrigerate brownies?

    Chocolate tastes differently at different temperatures. Chilled brownies have their own unique, delicious flavor.
     
    When chilled, chocolate is both less sweet and less bitter. As mentioned above, chilling these brownies is a personal preference and you are welcome to do what tastes best for you.

    Refrigerator Bakery Brownies cut into squares on a sheet of parchment paper next to a couple of chocolate chip.s

    More brownie recipes

    • Sweet Potato Brownies
    • Vegan Mug Brownies
    • Vegan Single Serving Brownie
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    • Single Serve Vegan Chocolate Brownie Cookie
    • Cream Cheese Ice Box Brownies
    • Grandma’s Brownies

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    Side view of Refrigerator Bakery Brownies stacked on a white plate.

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    Refrigerator Bakery Brownies cut into squares on a sheet of parchment paper.

    Refrigerator Bakery Brownies

    Firm, thick bakery brownies, best kept cold in the refrigerator!
    3.78 from 27 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 15
    Calories: 305kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    Brownies

    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup (1 stick) butter
    • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
    • ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 large egg yolk
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

    Frosting

    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 pinch salt
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 1-2 tablespoons milk

    Instructions

    Bakery Brownies

    • Preheat the oven to 350ºF and place a rack in the upper third of the oven. Grease and flour an 8 inch square baking pan and set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In a medium saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. In a medium, heatproof bowl, add butter and unsweetened chocolate. Place the bowl over, but not touching, the simmering water and allow to melt, stirring occasionally to incorporate.
    • Once the butter and chocolate have melted, remove the bowl from the simmering pot and whisk in the brown and granulated sugar.
    • Whisk in the egg, yolk, and vanilla.
    • Add the flour mixture all at once and fold into the chocolate mixture with a spatula until well incorporated.
    • Fold in the chocolate chips.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

    Fudge Frosting

    • Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted.
    • Whisk in the vanilla and salt, then stir in the powdered sugar.
    • Add the milk a few drops at a time, whisking briskly, until the frosting is smooth and shiny.
    • Spread immediately on the cooled brownies. Refrigerate until the frosting is set and you are ready to serve. Brownies will keep wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 5 days.

    Notes

    Brownies adapted from Joy the Baker Cookbook, frosting adapted from An Edible Mosaic
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

    More Brownie Recipes

    • Single Serve Vegan Chocolate Brownie Cookie
    • Vegan Mug Brownie
    • Sweet Potato Brownies
    • Vegan Single Serving Brownie

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Kat says

      May 10, 2013 at 5:42 pm

      That looks ridiculously good!!!

      Reply
    2. olive says

      May 10, 2013 at 7:17 pm

      I can’t even believe you said “hostage”. I feel like that all the time! Honesty + chocolate = awesome post. 🙂

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 10, 2013 at 9:25 pm

        Haha, glad I’m not alone! Thanks Olive!

        Reply
    3. Judi W says

      May 10, 2013 at 10:04 pm

      Those brownies have my mouth watering!! Just want to check that it’s only 1/4 cup flour. Please answer quickly as I must make these pronto!! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 10, 2013 at 10:25 pm

        It is only 1/4 cup! I couldn’t believe it either, but its part of what makes these brownies so deliciously fudgy!

        Reply
    4. Liz says

      May 11, 2013 at 6:11 am

      Happy Mother’s Day! These brownies look scrumptious…saved to my Recipe Box 🙂

      Reply
    5. Kathy says

      May 13, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      Wow! These look incredible! I don’t know if I have ever had a refrigerator brownie before but I love my desserts to be cold so I’m sure I would love these!

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 14, 2013 at 1:34 pm

        Thanks! I usually enjoy my brownies straight out of the freezer, but the refrigerator is perfect for this frosting!

        Reply
    6. DessertForTwo says

      May 13, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      These are so, so SO gorgeous. I keep seeing them on Pinterest, and my waist line tells me not to pin them, but I fought back! Pinned! And these will be made! Very soon!

      ps I hide desserts in the freezer from my husband inside bags of frozen vegetables…busted.

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 14, 2013 at 1:32 pm

        Thanks Christina! I’m glad you pinned them, I’m sure you’ll love them! I saw your post about hiding the brownies in the asparagus bag, sneaky sneaky! My husband doesn’t really like sweets so I’m always stuck eating the leftovers, I’m not sure which is worse!

        Reply
    7. Heather @ French Press says

      May 16, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      I have not thought about refrigerator brownies in FOREVER -holy deliciousness, NEED to make these…pinning

      Reply
    8. Hannah @ Not From Concentrate says

      May 16, 2013 at 10:03 pm

      Wow these look incredible – I love your photos! I almost feel like I can taste the brownies through them! Definitely saving this recipe 🙂

      Reply
    9. Sandra Fiel says

      June 05, 2013 at 8:28 am

      I’ve been a mom for 29 years and a grandma for 4. I’ve felt all the feelings you described, and my children and grandchildren are my greatest blessings. Thank you for sharing honestly. For all these years, I’ve wondered why my brownies didn’t have that dense, compact texture I love. Thanks for the info and the recipe. This is one recipe I really intend to try.

      Reply
    10. ETinMT says

      August 11, 2013 at 1:58 pm

      Love, love, love these! I will never ever venture away from this recipe during my brownie cravings. Nope, won’t do it. 😉

      Reply
    11. Liz says

      March 30, 2014 at 9:37 am

      I made these yesterday for visiting family and all night I could not stop thinking about the left over piece in the fridge. Total deliciousness!! This is the best brownie recipe I have ever ever ever come across!! Thank you !!

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        March 30, 2014 at 6:50 pm

        I’m so glad you liked them! They are one of my favorites too!

        Reply
    12. Laura says

      May 04, 2014 at 12:21 pm

      I baked a bunch of these for my boyfriend’s birthday, unfortunately it was a monday so he was at a different school to me so I got them delivered to him at lunch. His friends and hime absolutely loved them. They told him that I am definitely a keeper 🙂 haha this is such a great recipe thank you so much for sharing XX

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        May 08, 2014 at 6:10 pm

        I’m so glad everyone liked it!

        Reply
    13. [email protected] says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:50 am

      Made them, loved them, posted them!! http://www.fransfavs.com/2014/08/refrigerator-bakery-brownies/#more-7799

      Reply
    14. Liz says

      November 16, 2019 at 6:38 pm

      We added a pinch of salt and a pinch of cinnamon! In the oven now! I have been looking for a refrigerator bakery brownie recipe. They are my absolute favorite, and when they put sugar on the bottom!! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        November 25, 2019 at 4:39 pm

        What a great idea! I’m so glad you enjoyed them.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

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    18019 shares