Brownies will sink if the batter has been overmixed, the oven is too hot or if they have not been baked for long enough. To fix this problem mix the eggs gently into the batter with a spoon or fork to avoid introducing too much air, put them in a 320 degree Fahrenheit preheated oven, and bake until they are cooked through in the center.
This article will explore how to fix sunken brownies at home and how you can avoid this problem in the first place.
How to fix sunken brownies | 2 Ways
Check out my favorite way to fix sunken brownies at home.
1. Put the brownies back in the oven
If you have taken your brownies out of the oven and they have begun to sink then you still have time to save them. Many times, brownies will sink in the middle because the batter has not been completely cooked through.
Put the brownies back in the preheated 320 degree Fahrenheit oven for another 5 minutes. Take them out and test the center with a skewer. It should come out with cooked crumbs on the outside when the brownies are cooked.
If they still have uncooked batter on the outside, then pop them back in the oven for another 5 minutes until they cook through. This will set the batter and stop them from sinking.
2. Cut them and pop them in the microwave
If you find that your brownies are undercooked in the middle and have sunk you can heat them up in the microwave. This is the perfect solution if you have already cut your brownies into pieces.
Pop a single brownie on a plate and microwave it for 30 seconds. Stop the microwave and check to see if the brownies has cooked through. It will rise a bit and cook through. Continue to microwave them for 30 second at a time until they are fully cooked.
What causes of brownies to sink and how to prevent it
Check out the top causes of sinking brownies and how you can prevent each one.
1. Overmixing the batter
Overmixing the batter is a common cause of sinking brownies. Adding too much air to the mixture when you beat the eggs will cause the air bubbles to become trapped. When they bake the brownies will rise up and then sink when the air escapes.
To avoid this, don’t use electric beaters, instead mix in the eggs one at a time gently with a fork or spoon.
2. Not baking the brownies for long enough
Another common cause of sinking brownies is not baking them for long enough. If the batter is not cooked all the way through in the middle they will sink when you take them out of the oven.
Cook the brownies all the way through to make sure the batter sets, rises a little and will not sink once they cool and the air escapes.
3. Oven temperature is too high
Baking brownies in an oven with the temperature set too high will cause the brownies to rapidly rise and then rapidly sink. Brownies need gentle heat to rise slowly so they can set and keep their shape.
To avoid sinking brownies bake them in an oven that is 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius). Grab an oven thermometer if you are not sure of the temperature of your oven.
This will make sure that it is at the perfect temperature for your brownies.
4. Putting the brownies in the oven before it has preheated
Putting your brownie batter in the oven before it has preheated is another common cause of sinking brownies. When your oven preheats it will blast hot air rapidly to a heat that is higher than the temperature you set. This is so the oven can heat as quickly as possible.
Putting your brownies in when the oven is blasting this hot air will expose them to high temperature causing them to rise quickly and then sink.
Wait until your oven is fully preheated and at 320 degrees Fahrenheit before adding your brownies.
How to Fix Sunken Brownies | Summary
Sunken brownies can be fixed by baking them for a little longer. Avoid overmixing the batter so you do not incorporate too much air. This will stop them from rapidly rising and then dropping again. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before putting your brownie batter in to avoid blasting the brownies with hot air.
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.