How to Know When Your Brownies Are Cooked

📌 Editor's Note (2025 Update):
First published to help bakers master brownie doneness, this article has been updated with fresh tips, FAQs, and expert insights for perfect results every time.

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At Dello Mano, we believe that baking brownies isn't just about following a recipe — it's about connecting with the process. There's a special moment when the smell of chocolate fills the kitchen, the top turns glossy and cracked, and you just know they're ready. But for many bakers, knowing exactly when brownies are cooked can feel tricky.

Undercook them and you risk a gooey centre that won't set. Overbake them and they lose that beautiful fudgy texture. Let's explore how to confidently tell when your brownies are baked to perfection — whether you love them fudgy, cakey, or somewhere in between.

Why Getting Brownie Doneness Right Matters

Perfectly baked brownies are a balance of texture, flavour, and moisture. When you master the art of timing, you unlock the difference between an okay brownie and one that's unforgettable. At Dello Mano, every small batch is carefully baked by hand — and these same tips will help you achieve delicious results at home.

 

A handmade Dello Mano brownie, baked to fudgy perfection with a crackled top and moist centre — the hallmark of a perfect brownie.

Key Signs Your Brownies Are Cooked

1. The Glossy, Cracked Top

• Glossy and dry? Good sign.
• Still wet and shiny? Needs more time.

A beautiful, crackled top indicates that the surface has set while the inside remains moist.

2. The Jiggle Test

• Minimal jiggle around the centre: Brownies are ready.
• Centre wobbles like loose jelly: Needs more baking time.

 

3. The Skewer or Toothpick Test

• Moist crumbs clinging to the skewer: Perfectly baked.
• Wet batter on the skewer: Needs more baking.
• Completely clean skewer: Could be overbaked (especially if you prefer fudgy brownies).

 

4. The Edges Tell a Story

• Edges pulling slightly away from the pan: Almost ready.
• Firm edges with a set centre: Ideal.

 

Fudgy vs. Cakey: Timing Differences

Your ideal baking time may vary depending on the brownie style you love:

 

Texture	Look For	Baking Tip
Fudgy	Slight jiggle, moist crumbs on skewer	Pull them a little earlier to retain that luscious centre
Cakey	Skewer comes out mostly clean	Bake a few extra minutes beyond fudgy stage

 

If you’d like to dive deeper into how baking time affects the texture of your brownies, learn more about the difference between cakey and fudgy brownies here.

Typical Brownie Baking Time Guide

• 20–25 minutes: Very soft, almost molten brownies.
• 25–30 minutes: Fudgy and rich (most popular texture).
• 30–35 minutes: Firmer, more cakey brownies.

Common Mistakes When Checking Brownies

• Overbaking "just to be sure" — Brownies continue to cook after removal. Overbaking dries them out.
• Misreading the skewer test — If you’re aiming for fudgy, don't wait for a totally clean skewer.
• Only checking the edges — A set edge doesn't always mean a cooked middle.
• Opening the oven too often — Each open drops the oven temperature and risks uneven baking.

Want to avoid the most common brownie baking pitfalls? Discover the 9 mistakes that could be stopping you from baking the best brownies.

 

Extra Tips for Perfect Brownie Doneness

• Use an oven thermometer: Many ovens run hot or cold.
• Line your pan with baking paper: It helps with even baking and easier removal.
• Cool in the pan: Let brownies cool at least 20–30 minutes before cutting.
• Know your preference: Want molten and gooey? Slight underbaking is your friend.

Final Thoughts: Trust Your Senses

At Dello Mano, we’ve hand-baked over two million brownies since our early market stall days. Through every batch, we’ve learned that no timer, recipe, or tool replaces your own senses: sight, touch, and even smell.

You'll know when your brownies are cooked when you:

• See the crackly top
• Feel the slight give at the centre
• Smell that rich chocolate aroma wafting from the oven

With practice, you’ll develop the baker's intuition that turns brownie baking from a recipe into a ritual.

Love brownies as much as we do?
At Dello Mano, we’ve spent over 18 years handcrafting brownies with the same care and attention you put into baking at home. If you're ready to taste the magic of perfectly baked brownies, explore our handmade brownie collection.

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FAQs About Brownie Doneness

Can you fix undercooked brownies?

If brownies are severely undercooked (raw batter), you can return them to the oven at 160°C (325°F) and bake for 5–10 more minutes. Cover lightly with foil to avoid overbrowning the top.

Should brownies be gooey in the middle?

For fudgy brownies, yes! They should be moist and gooey but not raw. A little jiggle is fine; a liquid centre is not.

Is it better to underbake or overbake brownies?

It’s better to slightly underbake. Overbaked brownies become dry and lose their luxurious texture.

What happens if I cut brownies too soon?

Cutting hot brownies can cause them to collapse or become gummy. Always let them cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.

How do I know when brownies are done without a toothpick?

Rely on the visual signs: a crackly top, edges pulling away slightly, and minimal centre jiggle.