Brownies are a classic dessert that can be enjoyed plain or dressed up with fun toppings like sprinkles. Many bakers wonder when is the best time to add sprinkles – before or after baking? There are good reasons for both methods, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Here we’ll examine the pros and cons of adding sprinkles at different stages to help you decide when is right for your brownies.
Adding Sprinkles Before Baking
One popular option is to add sprinkles on top of brownies before popping them in the oven. There are a few potential benefits to this method:
- Sprinkles melt/bake into the brownies – Sprinkles added before baking will partially melt and incorporate into the top of the brownies as they bake. This melds flavors and gives you brownies with built-in sprinkles throughout.
- Prevents burning – Sprinkles can burn if they are baked at too high of heat on their own. Adding them before baking essentially shields them from burning by baking them surrounded by brownie batter.
- Creates even coverage – It’s easy to evenly distribute sprinkles over the entire pan of brownies before baking. This gives you sprinkles in every bite rather than potentially uneven coverage if topped after baking.
On the downside, some of the visual appeal and texture of sprinkles can be lost when they’re baked into brownies. The colors may bleed together and the crunchy texture softens up, which some sprinkle lovers may not like. But if you’re looking for flavor infusion throughout and don’t mind softer sprinkles, applying them pre-bake is a good choice.
Tips for Adding Sprinkles Before Baking
- Use heat-resistant sprinkles – Opt for sprinkles made with heat-resistant ingredients like sanding sugar. Regular sprinkles may burn or melt too much.
- Don’t overbake – Be careful not to overbake the brownies if topping with pre-bake sprinkles. They may get too soft if baked too long.
- Let cool completely – Allow brownies to cool fully before cutting to prevent dragging sprinkles and maintain even distribution.
Adding Sprinkles After Baking
The other option is to wait to add sprinkles on top of baked and cooled brownies. Reasons you may want to go this route include:
- Maintains crunch – Sprinkles added after baking retain their signature crunchy texture.
- Vibrant colors – Sprinkles maintain their vibrant colors rather than bleeding together and potentially muddyding.
- Custom coverage – You can customize exactly how you want the sprinkles distributed or arrange them in fun designs rather than an even layer.
The drawback is that sprinkles don’t get baked into the brownies, so you miss out on that flavor infusion. Sprinkles may also fall off easier if they are not anchored into the brownies from baking. But if you love the bright colors and crunchy texture of sprinkles, apply them after baking for best results.
Tips for Adding Sprinkles After Baking
- Let brownies cool completely – Wait until brownies are room temperature before topping. Sprinkles may melt if added while brownies are still warm.
- Use frosting – Spread a thin layer of frosting, ganache, or melted chocolate on top first. This helps sprinkles adhere better.
- Press gently – Lightly press sprinkles into the frosting so they stick. Don’t push too hard or the brownies may become dense.
Comparison of Pre vs Post Bake Sprinkles
Here is a summary comparing key pros and cons of adding sprinkles before or after baking:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Before Baking |
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| After Baking |
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Conclusion
When it comes down to it, the choice between adding sprinkles before or after baking brownies depends on your priorities. If you want those fun specks of color and texture throughout your brownies, sprinkling before baking helps them infuse into the batter. But if you want to maintain the signature bright colors and crunch of sprinkles, waiting until brownies are baked and cooled is best.
For fuller flavor infusion, go with pre-bake sprinkling. To preserve texture and appearance, opt for post-bake application. And of course, the beauty of brownies is that you really can’t go wrong! No matter when you add them, a sprinkling of festive sprinkles takes these chocolate treats to the next level.
Sprinkles are the perfect way to dress up your brownies for birthdays, holidays, or whenever you want to add a touch of whimsy. As you experiment with different types and colors of sprinkles, you’ll find your own preferences for when you like to add them to maximize either flavor or texture. Have fun playing with different sprinkle styles and timing to discover your ideal way to top these classic bar cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to add sprinkles before or after baking brownies?
There is no definitive “better” time to add sprinkles. Adding before baking allows them to infuse into the brownies with softened crunch and blended colors. Adding after baking maintains their crunchy texture and vibrant colors but they don’t bake into the brownies. Choose based on your priorities.
Do you need to anchor sprinkles added after baking?
Yes, it helps to “anchor” sprinkles after baking by first spreading a thin layer of frosting, ganache, or melted chocolate. This gives them something to adhere to. Gently press them in so they don’t just fall off the brownies.
What kind of sprinkles work best for baking into brownies?
Opt for heat-resistant sprinkles like sanding sugar or jimmies. Avoid standard sprinkles with lots of coloring, as they may bleed or melt too much when baked. Sprinkles intended for baking hold up best.
Should you let brownies cool completely before adding sprinkles?
Yes, brownies should be completely cooled to room temperature before sprinkling on toppings. Warm brownies may cause sprinkles to melt, bleed colors, or sink in. Letting them cool helps maintain sprinkle texture.
How do you evenly distribute sprinkles when adding before baking?
To evenly cover the entire pan of brownie batter before baking, place the batter in the pan then generously sprinkle sprinkles over the top. Use your hand to gently press them into the batter so they adhere. Spread any excess evenly with a spatula.
How much of a flavor impact do baked in sprinkles have?
While the flavor infusion is subtle, sprinkles baked into brownies do impart a sweetness and flavor to the overall batch. Exact impact depends on amount and type used. Go with 1-2 tablespoons sprinkles per pan for noticeable infusion.
Should you let brownies cool completely before cutting if baked with sprinkles?
Yes, always allow brownies to cool completely before cutting, especially if baked with sprinkles. Cutting warm brownies can cause melting sprinkles to drag and accumulate in slices. Cooling helps maintain even sprinkle distribution.
Tips for Decorating Brownies with Sprinkles
Beyond just a sprinkle layer, you can use sprinkles to creatively decorate your brownies in many eye-catching ways. Here are fun ideas for using sprinkles:
- Create designs – Use sprinkles to make shapes, patterns, or messages on top of iced brownies.
- Coat edges – For an extra pop of color, coat the outer edges of brownies with sprinkles.
- Mix colors – Blend two or more sprinkle colors and varieties for a speckled look.
- Drizzle with frosting – Top sprinkled brownies with zig-zag frosting stripes for more texture.
- Crushed sprinkles – For fine texture, pulse sprinkles in a food processor then sprinkle over iced brownies.
- Layer sprinkles in frosting – Spread frosting on brownies, layer on sprinkles, add more frosting, then more sprinkles.
Let your creativity run wild when decorating brownies with fun sprinkles! The options are endless for making sprinkle topped brownies an artistic and whimsical treat.
Sprinkle-Inspired Brownie Recipes
Here are some festive brownie recipes that are perfect for a sprinkle topping:
Confetti Sprinkle Brownies
Deck out easy box brownies with a colorful confetti sprinkle topping. The gooey brownies are a perfect base for a helping of crunchy, candy-like sprinkles.
Tie-Dye Swirl Brownies
Make a fun swirled brownie design with three colors of batter. Top with coordinating tie-dye style rainbow sprinkles for a groovy treat.
Unicorn Magic Brownies
What’s more magical than a unicorn? These bright white chocolate brownies are topped with pastel rainbow sprinkles and a unicorn horn candy in the center.
Sprinkle explosion cupcake brownies
Bake colorful sprinkle-filled brownie batter in a cupcake pan. Frost cupcake tops with vanilla buttercream and extra sprinkles for double the sprinkle impact.
Birthday Confetti Brownies
Celebrate with festive birthday sprinkles on top of rich chocolate brownies. Decorate with candles for the birthday boy or girl.
Fun Facts About Sprinkles
- The first decorative sprinkles were produced in the 19th century by American bakers.
- The average American consumes around 1.7 pounds of sprinkles per year!
- “Jimmies” is a regional nickname for rainbow sprinkles, commonly used in New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
- Germany is credited with inventing chocolate sprinkles in 1921.
- After candles, sprinkles are the most popular cake decorating item.
- National Sprinkles Day falls on April 16th in the United States.
- In 2012, Brooklyn hosted the “Sprinkle Spectacular” with sprinkle art installations around the borough.
The Many Types of Sprinkles
From classics to new inventive shapes, there are many kinds of sprinkles to decorate brownies and other baked goods:
| Sprinkle Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Jimmies | Rod shaped rainbow sprinkles, the most classic and popular type |
| Quins | Tiny round confetti-like sprinkles |
| Sprites | Tiny spherical sprinkles that add a delicate crunch |
| Sanding Sugar | Coarse, crystal sugar sprinkles that resist melting |
| Pearl Dust | Shimmery, iridescent sprinkle flakes |
| Chocolate sprinkles | Mini chocolate chips or shavings used as sprinkles |
| Cinnamon imperials | Tiny red hot cinnamon candies |
| Nonpareils | Tiny balls of sugar used to decorate candies and baked goods |
With so many sizes, shapes, textures, and flavors, the options are endless when using sprinkles to decorate brownies and other homemade treats!
In Conclusion
Sprinkling sparkling sprinkles on top of chewy, fudgy brownies is a sheer delight! While you can’t go wrong adding these festive toppers either before or after baking, each method produces slightly different results. Baked-in sprinkles offer infusion of color and flavor throughout, while post-bake application keeps sprinkles crispy and vibrant. Use your preference for texture vs. visual appeal vs. taste to decide when sprinkle time is best for your next pan of scrumptious brownies.