Christmas is the season where home bakers truly come into their own, with homemade delights gracing many a table alongside shop-bought treats. But as the festive cheer wanes, so too does the freshness of these baked goods, often leaving plenty to waste.
But fear not, for Coupon Mister’s CEO Fred Harrington has divulged some top tips for keeping your baked treats as soft and delicious as the day they were made, well into the New Year. In these times of soaring living costs, making your festive bakes last longer is not just a matter of taste but also of frugality.
Fred has revealed several savvy strategies to prevent your baked goods from becoming stale too soon, with some advice kicking in even before you’ve preheated your oven. He advises: “Baked goods tend to involve butter. But margarines and oils stay unchanged for longer than butter, so use them if you can. They tend to cost less, too.”
He also suggests that “Sucrose is also renowned as a preservative, so if it’s appropriate, add extra sugar, honey, or syrup to baking recipes to make goods stay fresh for longer.”
And when those scrumptious creations are done baking, patience is key; let them cool down completely before sealing them away, as this wards off any moisture build-up that could lead to sogginess, reports Lancs Live.
Once your sweet treats have cooled down, a baking guru suggests storing them in an airtight container to keep them from going stale. He shared his wisdom: “Think of how long canned foods last. This is the same principle. You need to isolate your baked goods from the air without sealing moisture in – so timing is important.”
For those who bake bread at home, Fred disclosed that minor tweaks to your recipe could notably extend your loaf’s freshness.
According to him, adding extra fats such as butter and more water will keep it softer for longer. For lasting freshness, he advises a slightly shorter bake time.
Fred also offered a nifty trick to rejuvenate day-old bread: “You can make bread that’s been stored for a while seem out-of-the-oven-fresh with a short burst in the microwave just before you eat it, too.”
Moreover, labelling baked items with their creation date was another top tip from Fred, ensuring anyone reaching for goodies knows exactly how fresh they are. Ending on a light-hearted note, he quipped: “To make your baked goods last longer, hide them! “.