Keeping Baked Goods Fresh
Baked goods stay fresh by controlling moisture and air exposure. Cookies and brownies belong in airtight containers at room temperature, while breads and cakes need protection from dehydration or excess humidity, depending on their crumb structure.
Wait for the heat to leave.
Never seal a warm pastry in a container; the trapped steam will turn crusts soggy and ruin the texture of cakes.
- airtight containers
- plastic wrap
- parchment paper
- bread box
Seal against the environment
Wrap cakes and breads tightly in plastic wrap to create a secondary skin, then store inside a container or bread box to block out ambient airflow.
The method.
Cool completely
Place your item on a wire rack until the bottom feels room temperature to the touch. Any residual warmth will create condensation in your container.
Assess the crumb
Cookies with a crisp edge belong in a loose-fitting jar. Soft cookies, brownies, or muffins need a tight seal to maintain their moisture.
Section and store
Cut only as much cake as you plan to serve. Keeping the remaining portion in one large piece slows the rate at which the interior dries out.
Strategic freezing
Wrap individual portions in a layer of parchment followed by a layer of foil. This double-wrap protects the item from freezer burn and odors.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Place a slice of sandwich bread into a container with hardening cookies; the cookies will draw moisture from the bread to soften.
Keep crusty sourdough out of plastic bags, as they will soften the crust within hours; use a paper bag or a bread box instead.
Do not store different types of cookies together if you want to keep their flavors distinct; the oils will migrate over time.
The ones that keep coming up.
Should I keep bread in the refrigerator?
No. The starch retrogradation process accelerates in the refrigerator, causing bread to turn stale and leathery much faster than at room temperature.
How do I refresh a day-old pastry?
Spritz the exterior with a fine mist of water and heat it in a 350 degree oven for three to five minutes to regain a crisp texture.
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