View Full Version : Baked Brownies Tonight and They Got Really Hard. What Might Have Gone Wrong?
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 01:17 AM
Hi, All!
I baked brownies tonight and they turned out really hard after cooling.
Any ideas as to what might have gone wrong with them? They also turned out really thin. I did follow all of the directions.
Thanks!
KISS
Apr 29, 2010, 01:34 AM
Baking powder too old.
shazamataz
Apr 29, 2010, 01:35 AM
What ingredients did you use?
Can you post the recipe?
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 01:38 AM
It was a mix that was in a bag, not a bag that was in a box.
I'll have to go get the bag...
KISS
Apr 29, 2010, 01:45 AM
Also note if there was a "cake-like" and "fudge-like" modifications to the recipie.
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 01:57 AM
It's a Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix Made with Dutch cocoa.
10.25 ounces
Need 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons of water and one egg.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. (Or, 325 degrees F for dark or nonstick pan).
Grease bottom only of 8 inch square pan. (I used a standard aluminum pan, 13''x9"x2".)
Stir brownie mix, oil, water and egg with spoon about 50 times (batter may be lumpy). Spread in pan.
Bake 26 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean, cool.
Expiration date is Feb. 2011.
Not specified was the size of the pan.
Thanks!
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 01:59 AM
Also note if there was a "cake-like" and "fudge-like" modifications to the recipie.
There are those instructions at the bottom of the bag under the general instructions.
KISS
Apr 29, 2010, 02:06 AM
Pan was too big. (8*13)/(8*8)*100 too big ~2x.
May have head too much egg (based on previous post)
Baking time should have been shorter for a thinner layer of batter.
In short, you dried them out.
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 02:14 AM
I suspected that the pan was too big.
But, would you mind explaining what is below, please?
Originally posted by KeepItSimpleStupid
(8*13)/(8*8)*100 too big ~2x.
Thanks!
Just Dahlia
Apr 29, 2010, 10:32 AM
It's a Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix Made with Dutch cocoa.
10.25 ounces
Need 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons of water and one egg.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. (Or, 325 degrees F for dark or nonstick pan).
Grease bottom only of 8 inch square pan. (I used a standard aluminum pan, 13''x9"x2".)
Stir brownie mix, oil, water and egg with spoon about 50 times (batter may be lumpy). Spread in pan.
Bake 26 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean, cool.
Expiration date is Feb. 2011.
Not specified was the size of the pan.
Thanks!
It looks light they did specify, or am I missing something:confused:
Your pan was almost twice as large as it should have been.
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 12:42 PM
I read it wrong. I thought that it said "Grease bottom only if 8-inch square pan".
Oops! :o
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 12:43 PM
Would a white casserole dish work for the baking?
Just Dahlia
Apr 29, 2010, 05:15 PM
Yes:)
I use clear glass, old tin, dark pans and ceramic white. Just watch your stuff and do the toothpick test:D
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 08:43 PM
Then, I think that I'll try it again tonight!
I'll let you know how it works out!
Thanks!
Stringer
Apr 29, 2010, 09:35 PM
Hey Clough... they are still chocolate! Dip them in milk unless you can use them for a hammer? :eek::rolleyes::):D
Stringer
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 09:48 PM
Really probably much better to be used as a hammer! Cooled down, and I mean this, hard as cement! :eek:
When I tipped the pan over, they (the cement sheet of brownies) fell out and broke into big pieces all over the table! That being even though I didn't think that I'd ever get them out of the pan!
Stringer
Apr 29, 2010, 09:50 PM
Then there has to be an alternate use for them after all you went to the trouble of making them right? Now there is a new thread for you. :)
EDIT ::: I am on borrowed time here buddy... I really should be sleeping... I know... soon.
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 09:55 PM
Then there has to be an alternate use for them after all you went to the trouble of making them right? Now there is a new thread for ya. :)
EDIT ::: I am on borrowed time here buddy...I really should be sleeping.......................................... ........I know...soon.
Oh, I know! A sidewalk paved in brownies! :D
I already mentioned about you needing to get up SHORTLY on Alty's first chit-chat thread.
Stringer
Apr 29, 2010, 10:06 PM
Oh, I know! A sidewalk paved in brownies! :D
I already mentioned about you needing to get up SHORTLY on Alty's first chit-chat thread.
You're right I need to exert more self control... I am off to bed... night my friend.
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 10:27 PM
In about 45 minutes, we'll all know...
I hope that using one jumbo egg is going to be okay!
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 10:38 PM
Let's see now...
Is that 350 or 550 degrees? :confused: I'm having trouble seeing the directions! :eek:
Clough
Apr 29, 2010, 11:25 PM
Just took them out of the oven. So far, so good!
I'm getting my hopes up, here! :)
Clough
Apr 30, 2010, 12:22 AM
They're a little crispy around the inside edges of the casserole dish. That's okay.
Now, it's time for some icing! Then a test eat! :D
Clough
Apr 30, 2010, 12:39 AM
:D !!!!Success!!!! :D
Just Dahlia
Apr 30, 2010, 07:59 AM
Congrats! :D
Clough
Apr 30, 2010, 01:39 PM
Congrats!!:D
Thanks!
The crispiness around the edges actually makes things chewier, but not so much that they're not enjoyable to eat.
If you hadn't let me know that it was okay to use a casserole dish JD, I most likely would have been looking forever for another type of pan that was 8" square, that to me, was what I had in my mindset about that in which we might bake pastries.
I'm now out of my mindset, that the only types of pans for baking pastries are the light and dark, clear glass and the pans and sheets that are made of aluminum.
Thanks again! :)
KISS
Apr 30, 2010, 04:35 PM
Think square inches. 8 x 8 = 64, so a 10 x 6.4 would work too.
So would round ones and elipses work, but they require a bit more math.
Clough
Apr 30, 2010, 05:42 PM
Okay, thanks!
I hadn't thought about that, KISS!
Gives me some additional options! I do have some pans and dishes that are oblong.
KISS
Apr 30, 2010, 05:58 PM
Clough:
Here is an area calculator for elipses using just length and width. Ellipse Area Calculator (http://www.csgnetwork.com/areaellipse.html)
Of course 3.14*(D/2)*(D/2) is the area of a circle.
Another way of writing PI*R^2 where R is the diameter divided by 2.
The idea, though is being able to ESTIMATE the area of the pan.
5 x 12 is about 60 sq inches. You might have an eliptical pan about this size.
This (64 sqin) also translates to a 9" diameter round pan.
Clough
Apr 30, 2010, 07:58 PM
I can't "speak" in that "language" yet, KISS! So, it's way over my head...
I sure would like to be able to think in those sort of terms, though!
KISS
Apr 30, 2010, 09:17 PM
See, your learning math. Computing areas. I'm sure you do this when painting walls or refinishing decks.
What's so different about odd shapes.
Everybody should know the area of:
A square
A circle
A rectangle
A triangle
I'll admit, the ellipse from the outer dimensions is not known.
Just Dahlia
May 1, 2010, 02:45 PM
I can't "speak" in that "language" yet, KISS! So, it's way over my head...
I sure would like to be able to think in those sort of terms, though!
I can't either. I just 'eye' my pans and pots, seems to work out.:)
Clough
May 2, 2010, 01:18 PM
Originally Posted by Clough
I can't "speak" in that "language" yet, KISS! So, it's way over my head...
I sure would like to be able to think in those sort of terms, though!
I can't either. I just 'eye' my pans and pots, seems to work out.:)
I'm glad to know that I'm not alone here! :)
Just Dahlia
May 2, 2010, 04:20 PM
Brownies were on sale and I had people coming over. I made brownies yesterday a little cake like and they all got ate. Today I made a different kind fudge like and are really fudgy. If I didn't know any better I would think they were not done. I'm sure they will be gone as soon as everybody gets back.:)
KISS
May 2, 2010, 09:37 PM
I made a 7-up cake last week and it was gone in 2 days with two people eating it.
Just Dahlia
May 3, 2010, 07:56 AM
I made a 7-up cake last week and it was gone in 2 days with two people eating it.
What's a 7-up cake?
KISS
May 3, 2010, 09:28 AM
7-up Cake Recipes (http://www.squidoo.com/7_upcake)
It' very important to beat for at least 20 minutes or more. Easy way to tell, the sound of the mixer changes.
Used 1 tsb Lemon and 1 Vanilla extracts
You can use Margarine. I made it with 1/2 butter and 1/2 margarrine.
And my own addition:
I "flour" the pan this way:
Grease with shortning
Sprinkle with Confectioner's sugar (Yes - SUGAR)
Sprinkle with flour
Turn over pan and hit it to remove excess.
Clough
May 3, 2010, 09:49 AM
I've heard of 7Up cakes. Will have to try making one, sometime.
Just Dahlia
May 3, 2010, 10:59 AM
Not to get off subject, but why are there metal tabs sticking up on my Angel food cake pan? I have always just thought that I was missing a part, since my pan is so old, but this is how they sell them.
30692
Edit, this picture is from Wikipedia
KISS
May 3, 2010, 11:52 AM
With angel food cakes you have to have some distance for the cake to drop because they don't drop by themselves like regular cakes do. You typically turn the pan over and WAIT for the cake to come out.
The old way was to place the tube pan on top of a funnel. Consider yourself having a MODERN tube pan. It has legs eliminating the funnel.
Clough:
Prepare a few hours to make it. 1-1/4 baking, 30 min mixing and say 30 min cleaning up.
Just Dahlia
May 3, 2010, 03:20 PM
With angel food cakes you have to have some distance for the cake to drop because they don't drop by themselves like regular cakes do. You typically turn the pan over and WAIT for the cake to come out.
The old way was to place the tube pan on top of a funnel. Consider yourself having a MODERN tube pan. It has legs eliminating the funnel.
Clough:
Prepare a few hours to make it. 1-1/4 baking, 30 min mixing and say 30 min cleaning up.
Had to spread the rep, but Thanks! Now I know:)
Clough
May 7, 2010, 10:31 PM
Just so you all know...
I wanted to give you fair enough warning in order to give you time to flee!
I'm going to make another batch, tonight! :eek:
Different brand that also requires the larger pan.
KISS
May 7, 2010, 11:14 PM
What are the odds you'll make cement instead of brownies?
Clough
May 7, 2010, 11:36 PM
We'll see...
Here's the ingredients as well as the directions!
Let's see...
1. Generously grease the bottom of a large caldron
With lard from two, freshly slain, sacred jackels.
Fill with 3 gallons of water from the magic well.
Add a half gallon of oil of turtle.
2. Heat contents of caldron to 600 degrees.
3. When 600 degrees has been reached,
Empty mix from crate into the caldron.
Mix consists of:
Three, whole chickens with feathers still on them.
Two, whole turtle doves without feathers.
Four gangrenous hands of adult humans.
A full head of long hair from a fair maiden - head included.
Twenty pounds of whole wheat flour.
And, a partridge in a pear tree. With feathers.
4. Stir continuously with large shovel, until mixture thickens and is hard to stir.
5. Dump the contents then into a medium sized, bare metal casket, and
Bake in oven at 1,200 degrees for five hours, or until metal pitchfork can
Be inserted and withdrawn without anything hanging onto it.
Makes for a delicious serving for two wizards, two witches, four warlocks, your
Baby pet dragon and twenty illegitimate gremlin offspring!
Clough
May 8, 2010, 12:37 AM
Oops! Sorry! :eek:
Wrong crate, ummm... I mean box!
That was my recipe that I like to use around Halloween time.
A special batch of brownies for all of my relatives! :D
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Some time later...
Found the right box! Directions were about the same as the last batch that I made, except that the pan is bigger this time and I was supposed to use two eggs instead of one.
Clough
May 8, 2010, 02:46 PM
:D !!!!Success Again!!!! :D
Stringer
May 8, 2010, 03:11 PM
:D !!!!Success Again!!!! :D
You're a genius buddy! :) :)
Fr_Chuck
May 8, 2010, 03:38 PM
No brownie photos to share
Clough
May 8, 2010, 03:39 PM
You're a genius buddy! :) :)
I learned how to be one from you! :D
Clough
May 8, 2010, 03:42 PM
no brownie photos to share
If I could get my new-fangled digital camera to work with this computer, there would be! :)
Stringer
May 8, 2010, 04:02 PM
I learned how to be one from you! :D
Hee hee now that is a big time compliment... gee thanks! :)
Clough
May 8, 2010, 04:08 PM
Hee hee now that is a big time compliment...gee thanks! :)
I didn't specify as to what kind of genius, though... ;)
Stringer
May 8, 2010, 04:45 PM
I didn't specify as to what kind of genius, though... ;)
Well to me a genius is a genius... let me feel good for a moment please... Ha ha :)
Clough
May 8, 2010, 09:13 PM
Well to me a genius is a genius....let me feel good for a moment please.......Ha ha :)
Times up! Moments over, Stringer! :p
Stringer
May 8, 2010, 09:39 PM
Times up! Moments over, Stringer! :p
Aaaaah ha! :)