Brownie batter can become too thick if extra dry flavorings such as coconut, nuts or chocolate chips are added. Adding too much flour or cocoa can also cause the batter to thicken. Not adding enough milk, water or oil can also cause the brownie butter to become too thick.
This article will explore the top reasons why brownie batter can become too thick and how you can fix it before cooking.
Top reasons why brownie batter becomes too thick
Here are the top reasons why brownie butter becomes too thick. Read through the reasons so you can find out what is happening with your brownies.
1. Adding coconut
Adding extra flavors to your brownie mix can cause the batter to thicken up. Adding desiccated coconut or coconut flakes can cause the batter to thicken quickly. To counterbalance the addition of coconut, add 2-3 tablespoons of extra vegetable oil or butter to loosen the mix.
2. Adding nuts
Adding extra crushed nuts to your brownie mix can cause it to thicken up. The smaller the nut pieces the more difficult it will be to mix through as the mixture gets stiffer.
If your brownie recipe already contains nuts then the wet mixture will have been adjusted to allow for this. If you are adding nuts to a regular brownie mix, it is best to add extra liquid.
You can add extra vegetable oil, water or even milk to loosen the mix.
3. Not enough butter, margarine or oil
If there is not enough fat in the brownie mix it can become too thick. Measuring out the butter, oil or margarine exactly is important to get the thickness right.
Adding these fats in liquid form including melted butter or melted coconut oil will help to thin the brownie batter out.
4. Too many chocolate chips
Adding extra chocolate chips to your brownie mix is delicious but can cause the brownies to become too thick.
Sprinkling chocolate chips over the top of the brownies before baking is a great way to add extra chocolate without affecting the mixture. If you want to mix the chocolate chip in, just add a dash of water at the same time.
5. Too much cocoa
Adding extra cocoa powder to chocolate brownies can cause the mixture to thicken too much. It is important to measure the ingredients exactly to make sure that the mix is not too dry.
If you accidentally add too much cocoa, just add a dash of milk or water to loosen the mix.
6. Not enough milk or water
Most brownie recipes contain a liquid, either milk or water. Often this is only a tablespoon or two but missing out or not adding enough of this ingredient can cause the batter to become too thick.
To fix the mix, just measure out another tablespoon of water or milk. Mix it through the batter until the mix loosens up. Add another tablespoon of liquid if the brownie mix is still too thick.
7. Overmixing
Overmixing brownie batter can cause it to become too thick. Overworking the gluten in the flour will cause it to bind together and thicken up. It is essential to gently mix the brownie ingredients to stop it becoming stiff.
I like to use a wooden or metal spoon to mix my brownie ingredients together. This means that I have total control and can mix until the ingredients are just combined. This avoids overworking the brownies.
8. Cold weather
Cooking when the weather is cold can cause brown batter to become thicker. The fat in the batter will start to harden up and thicken the batter when it cools. This is particularly true for brownie mixes that contain butter or coconut butter.
Check out this cool video describing the science behind the perfect brownie.
4 Ways to fix brownie batter that is too thick
Here are some easy ways to fix brownie batter that has become too thick. These are simple ingredients and steps that help to lighten and thin out the mix.
1. Add milk
The first thing you can do is add some extra milk. This could be cows, coconut, soy or rice milk depending on your preference. Start by adding 1 tablespoon and gently mix it through. Keep adding 1 tablespoon at a time until the mix is at the right consistency.
2. Add water
To loosen the brownie mix without adding extra fat you can add a dash of water. Start by adding 1-2 tablespoons of water and mix it through. This will usually be enough to loosen the mix so you can get it into the brownie pan.
3. Add oil
Adding oil is another great way to loosen brownie mix. You can use vegetable or olive oil to loosen the mix. I like to start with 2 teaspoons and mix it through before adding more.
4. Add eggs
Adding eggs is another great way to loosen a brownie mix. You can add a whole egg to the batter and stir it through. This will usually be enough to loosen the mix and will give the brownies more lift.
How to prevent brownie batter becoming too thick
Check out this quick list of tips to help to prevent brownie batter from becoming too thick. This will help you to get the right consistency and make it easier to get the batter into the pan before baking.
- Measure the wet and dry ingredients accurately
- Mix the brownie batter gently with a spoon
- Melt the butter before adding it to the mix
Why Brownie Batter is Too Thick | Summary
Brownie batter can become too thick because it is cold, if it doesn’t have enough wet ingredients or if you have added extra flavors. Fixing a brownie mix is as simple as adding a few tablespoons of extra milk, water, oil or even melted butter. Gently stir it through and you are good to go.
For more tips on cooking the perfect brownie, check out this article: Too Much Oil in Brownie Mix | 7 Ways to Save Your Brownies
Happy cooking.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.