How to Cut Brownies

Co-authored by Ross Canter

To cut your brownies, first let them cool entirely, then select either a serrated or plastic knife to make your cuts. You can cut your brownies into perfect squares by measuring with a ruler and dipping a serrated knife into hot water. For something different, try using a brownie divider or baking your brownies in a brownie bar tray. Whether baked in a traditional or specialty pan, your brownies can easily be cut to your desired size.

Things You Should Know

For a basic cut, let the brownies cool before cutting with a serrated knife; divide them in half, then divide them in half again, and make 1-3 horizontal cuts.
For a perfect cut, use a plastic disposable knife to trim the edges of the brownies and notch the sides, before cutting cleanly along those notches.
Use a specialty brownie pan with separate cavities so they bake already sliced.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cutting Basic Brownies

1
Let your brownies cool for 1-2 hours before you cut them. Brownies continue cooking as they sit outside the oven, which helps them firm up and taste extra delicious. Leave your brownies on a wire cooling rack on top of your counter until they are completely cooled.^{[1]
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- Avoid leaving your brownies on the stovetop. The heat from your oven will delay the cooling time.
2
Use a serrated knife to make the cuts. A serrated knife works well for cutting through brownies. You could also use a smooth blade if you don't have a serrated one.

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3
Make 1 vertical cut in the middle of the brownies to divide them in half. This will divide your brownies into 2 sections, which makes it easier to cut brownies to your desired size.
4
Divide each half in half again by making another cut through the middle. After you cut your brownies into 2 sections, make another vertical cut through each section.
- You will have 4 vertical rows.
5
Make 1-3 horizontal cut to divide the strips down the center. After you make your vertical cuts, make horizontal cuts to divide your brownies into individual servings. You can make 1-3 cuts, based on the desired size of your brownies.^{[2]
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- Cut your brownies into small sections if you prefer bite-sized pieces.
- Space out your cuts for hearty, hand-sized brownies.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cutting Perfectly-Sized Brownies

1
Use a plastic disposable knife for clean, even cuts. If you want your brownies to all be the same size, or if you want to make clean, perfect cuts, try using a plastic knife. With disposable plastic knives, you can easily cut through your cooled brownies like butter.^{[3]
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- Keep a few in your silverware drawer to use in the future!
2
Trim about ¹⁄₆–¹⁄₄ in (0.42–0.64 cm) off the edges of your brownies. Once the brownies are cooled, cut off the edges on all 4 sides using a plastic knife. This ensures each brownie has a smoothly sliced outer edge.
3
Make notches around the edges of the brownies at 2 in (5.1 cm) intervals. Using your ruler, measure 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the edge and make a small notch in the brownies with a blade. Continue making notches every 2 inches (5.1 cm) around the entire perimeter of the brownies.^{[4]
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- You can change the size based on personal preference. For smaller brownies, try making squares about 1 in (2.5 cm). For larger brownies, go with 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) squares.
- If you have a larger piece left over at the end, you can trim off the excess so the end row is about 2 in (5.1 cm) as well.
4
Dip your plastic knife in hot water to make smooth, even cuts. Fill a cup with hot water from your faucet, and set it next to your brownies. Before making each cut, dip your plastic knife into the water.^{[5]
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- Your knife should not have any brownie crumbs on it when you remove it. The hot water helps smoothly slice between the brownies.
5
Cut your brownies vertically at each of the marks you made. Press the knife all the way into the brownies with steady pressure. Repeat until the brownies are cut into 2 in (5.1 cm) strips.^{[6]
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- If you having difficulty making clean cuts, try wiping your blade on a paper towel after each cut.
6
Cut your brownies horizontally at each of the notches. Just like you made your vertical cuts, slice across your brownies horizontally at each notch. Don't forget to dip your blade in hot water between cuts.
- You should have even 2 in × 2 in (5.1 cm × 5.1 cm) square brownies.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Specialty Pans

1
Use a 12-cavity brownie bar pan to bake brownies without cutting them. Pour your batter into a greased cavity bar pan, and let your brownies cool after they bake. Then, gently lift the brownies out of the pan with clean hands. To help you remove the brownies, you can insert a plastic knife on 1 side to pry the brownie from the bottom of the pan.^{[7]
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- Cavity brownie pans come in either metal or silicone materials. Both work well to cook brownies without cutting, though it can be easier to remove brownies from silicone pans since the material is flexible.
2
Try using a muffin pan if you don't have a brownie bar pan. Either grease the pan or line your pan with cupcake liners. Then, pour the batter directly into each depression of the muffin pan, filling each section about half full with batter. After your brownies cool, take a plastic knife and cut around the edges of each brownie. Then, gently lift up the brownies with your hands to remove them from the pan.
- Your brownies may be on the larger size, but muffin pans make great substitutions for brownie bar pans.
3
Try a mini silicone brownie mold to easily make bite-sized brownies. Pour your batter into the molds, bake your brownies, and let them cool. Then, place your finger underneath the mold, and lift up so the brownie pops out of the mold. Your brownies will easily slide out of the silicone mold.^{[8]
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- Miniature brownie molds produce 24 tiny brownies.
- If you are having trouble removing the brownies from the mold, try holding the silicone at an angle as you push them from underneath.
4
Use a brownie divider set if you want pre-sliced brownies. Place the brownie divider into the pan after you pour in your batter. Let your brownies cool with the divider still inserted, and remove the divider once the brownies cool down. Then, prop your brownie pan on a small object, like a cup or can. Press down on the pan to separate the brownies from the pan.^{[9]
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- 2-piece brownie sets include a collapsing baking pan and a brownie divider.
- The divider will separate the brownies into 18 even sections.
- It is helpful to apply cooking spray to the pan and the divider before you bake.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I cut brownies cleanly?

Ross Canter
Professional Baker
Ross Canter is a Professional Baker and the Co-Founder of Cookie Good in Santa Monica, California. Originally a screenwriter, Ross decided to pursue his passion for baking and opened Cookie Good in 2007 with his wife, Melanie. Ross and Melanie opened their brick and mortar bakery in 2014. With over 15 years of experience, Ross specializes in creating high quality cookies with unique flavor options and helping people feel “cookie good” one cookie at a time.

Ross Canter

Professional Baker

Expert Answer

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Stick the brownies in the freezer for a little while—this will help you get super clean edges as you cut.
Question

How do you cut brownies without them falling apart?

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One of the tricks is to allow the brownies to cool for a couple hours before cutting them. If they’re cool, they’ll stick together better. Using a plastic knife will also help them cut more smoothly.
Question

How long should brownies cool before cutting?

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It’s best to give them time to cool completely so that they’ll cut more neatly. Depending on how thick they are, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.