We Tried the Brownie Buddy—And It Makes Cutting, Storing and Serving Bars a Breeze

If you’ve ever made boxed brownies, you know that they can be a pain to cut. The soft, fudgy, chocolate-studded texture we know and love tends to crumble when it encounters a knife. Which, sure, is no big deal if you’re hacking off a square for yourself fresh out of the oven. But if you’re bringing bars to a potluck or bake sale, you likely want cleaner cuts.

Enter: the Brownie Buddy. This genius solution lets you bake, cut and store bars right in the pan—and it actually works. I tested it on two separate rounds of brownies, and each batch yielded picture-perfect squares. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Brownie Buddy?

The Brownie Buddy comes from one of our favorite bakeware brands, Nordic Ware. It features three pieces: a 9-inch square aluminum pan, a cutter tool and a lid. The pan is oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and comes with a lifetime warranty.

To use, simply prep and bake your brownies or bars according to the recipe instructions, then let them cool for 30 minutes. Next, grab the cutter tool, place it in the pan and firmly press until it touches the bottom of the pan. Lift it out, and voila! Sixteen perfectly cut bars. To store, snap the lid directly on top of the pan.

How We Tested It

Katie Bandurski for Taste of Home

I tested the Brownie Buddy in March 2025.

Zucchini Brownies

First, I whipped up a batch of zucchini brownies. The extra moisture in these cake-like bars tends to make them extra sticky, so I was eager to see if the Brownie Buddy would cut through.

I started by removing the pan from its packaging and washing it thoroughly. Then, I prepped my batter and lined the pan with parchment paper. This is an optional step, but it makes clean-up a breeze. I sprinkled in chocolate chips for even more melty deliciousness and placed the pan in my preheated oven.

Once done, Nordic Ware recommends waiting 30 minutes before slicing. A tough task! I set a timer, and once it went off, grabbed the slicer tool. I lined it up over the pan, letting it gently rest atop the baked bars. Then, I applied firm pressure until I felt the cutter make contact with the bottom of the pan.

Now for the moment of truth—would the bars cling to the cutter, making a major mess? No! In fact, the cutter lifted away effortlessly. A few of the cut squares needed to be gently pressed back down, but I was left with a perfectly cut pan of brownies. Even better, I didn’t need to grab foil or transfer them to a container. With a snap of the lid, I was good to go.

Boxed Brownies

After a successful test with homemade brownies, I also had to try a boxed version. I picked up my go-to Bob’s Red Mill brownie mix, prepped the pan and followed the instructions for the batter. (Pro tip: Substitute the water for coffee or espresso—it enhances the chocolate flavor.)

After baking, this batch had that signature crackly (and sticky!) brownie top. I let them cool for 30 minutes, then pressed in and lifted up the cutter. Another success! I was once again shocked that it worked so well. Seriously, there were no crumbs or jagged edges in sight.

The brownie cutter did have some chocolaty goo residue, which was a little annoying to wash off, but my overall experience with the Brownie Buddy was a complete success. I’m eager to try even more treats, like lemon bars or magic bars. You can also use it for savory items, like cornbread or baked egg dishes.

Pros

• All-in-one solution for baking, cutting and storing bars
• Easy to use
• Lifetime warranty
• Made in the U.S.

Cons

• Divider is a little tricky to clean

Final Verdict

Whether you have a bake sale coming up or just like to serve perfectly cut bars, the Nordic Ware Brownie Buddy is any home baker’s BFF. It’s simple to use, made with quality materials and works as advertised. I was initially skeptical that the cutter would slice through gooey brownies, but it did—and with ease. I plan on ordering a few to give as housewarming gifts or to send to friends in need of a sweet pick-me-up.

Where To Buy the Brownie Buddy

Pick up the Brownie Buddy at major retailers, including Walmart and Target. It retails for $30, which, in my opinion, is a steal for a 3-piece set with a lifetime warranty.