Repurposing Brownies: Leftover Brownie Recipes & Ideas

Have you ever ended up in a situation where you have leftover brownies that you don't know what to do with? There are worse problems to have, and more solutions than just freezing them for another day. 

We did some brainstorming and internet-scouring for inventive ways to repurpose brownies, and created a roundup of some of the most mouth-watering dessert recipes and ideas.

Read through for some brownie baking inspiration that finally answers the question of what to do with stale, old, or just leftover brownies!

Brownie Dessert Recipes & Ideas

Ice Cream Sundaes

It doesn't get simpler than this when it comes to revamping and using leftover brownies, but a little can go a long way. Whether you have extras that will soon become stale or are just looking to switch it up, using brownies as the base for an ice cream sundae opens up endless new flavor possibilities. Load the brownie with an ice cream flavor like Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie or Half Baked and you’ll get double the brownies. And now that you've got some momentum going, you might as well add some salty snacks like pretzels or peanuts in to make the perfect sundae. 

Freezing Brownie Crumbles

Wasting food can at times be unavoidable, but for the most part, there are other ways to get creative with leftovers before they end up in the compost or trash. Freezing food is a no-brainer. If you want to freeze your brownie leftovers in a way that makes them easier to nibble at in smaller doses, crumble them up and freeze them for a quick ice cream topper, or as hot chocolate mix-ins.

Blending Leftover Brownies in a Milkshake

Frostys, Blizzards, and McFlurrys are all the production of a brilliant idea: milkshakes with mixables. And there's no reason you can't make this idea come to life in your own kitchen using your leftover brownies. All you'll need to turn ice cream and brownies into a milkshake is an electric stand mixer or a hand mixer. You can customize not only the mix-ins but also the consistency of the drink. 

Here’s a breakdown of the steps to create a brownie milkshake:

1. You'll start by mixing the ice cream of your choice on medium speed for about a minute, or until the ice cream looks creamy, almost like soft serve.
2. Then you can add your leftover brownie toppings (plus any others!) and a little milk if you want to thin out the mixture a bit.
3. Then pop the mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes to get the ice cream to the right consistency, pour into a glass, and slurp to enjoy.

Leftover Brownie Bread Pudding

The previous ideas have all been ways to use brownies before they go stale, but this one is actually best done with old brownies that have already reached the point of staleness. Like leaving a loaf of bread out to make croutons, go ahead and leave your brownies out for a few extra nights to achieve the perfect ripeness for this brownie bread pudding recipe.

Ingredients:

The recipe calls for 3 cups of leftover stale brownies cut into cubes and mixed with 2 oz of shredded coconut and 2 oz of chocolate chips.

Instructions:

1. Spray an 8 X 8 inch baking pan and pour the mixture in evenly.
2. Set the mixture aside and preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk 3/4 cup coconut milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 3 large eggs until fully combined, and pour over the brownie mixture.
4. Bake for 30 minutes.

And voila! Warm brownie bread pudding goes well with vanilla ice cream, but then again what doesn't? On second thought, can you imagine this recipe, but with blondies?!

Brownie Truffles

To keep on the trend of easy-to-make and delicious, brownie truffles will level up your ordinary brownie and only require a few simple steps with ingredients you likely have in the pantry already. Brownies, cream cheese, and chocolate chips are about all you'll need to whip this up. This recipe does call for fresh leftover brownies, so you'll need to consider making this before you realize that your once fresh brownies now have a crunch to them. 

But if you have fresh ones on hand, here are the simple steps to make delicious brownie truffles:

1. You'll start by mixing brownies with softened cream cheese. For every 12 brownies, you'll want about 3 1/4 oz of cream cheese.
2. Then line parchment paper on a cookie sheet, roll the mixture into balls, and set them in the freezer until firm -- about 30 minutes.
3. Once the balls are ready, you can melt the chocolate chips of your choosing in the microwave. Then place the truffle ball on a fork and dip into the melted chocolate and return it to the parchment paper to freeze once again.
4. Once the chocolate is hardened, they are ready for eating, but they're best stored in the freezer and will last for up to one month.

Conclusion: Stale or Leftover Brownies are an Opportunity NOT a Problem!

No matter what you decide to do with your leftover brownies, there’s no shortage of creative ways to repurpose them into something delicious. From simple ice cream sundaes and milkshakes to more complex dishes like brownie truffles and bread pudding, you can turn yesterday's treats into today’s culinary delights. And if you’re ever in need of more brownies to fuel your next round of dessert experiments, Greyston’s rich, decadent brownies are the perfect base for all your sweet creations.