by Guest Writer, Morgan Walker Clarke
All the best things in life are fleeting, especially that perfectly soft loaf of fresh-baked bread. As bakers, we put so much of our time into producing this gorgeous (and, might we add, edible) work of art, only to have it turn hard, moldy, dry and bland within a day’s time. And part of the reason why many of us love to whip up doughy creations is because we want to share them with our friends and family, but we often don’t get around to handing out what we make before it goes bad. Thus, to enjoy our creations to the fullest, it’s important to find ways to extend the life of the things we bake.
![Advice for Bakers: 7 Ways to Extend Shelf Life (1) Advice for Bakers: 7 Ways to Extend Shelf Life (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
There’s a dilemma to this problem, though: many of the more common baking preservatives out there are not good for our bodies or the quality of our baked goods. Synthetic preservatives typically fall into three categories: antimicrobials, antioxidants and chelating agents.
Natural preservatives can include things like vinegar and spices, which, of course, can affect the flavor of what you’re making. Food additives and preservatives of all kinds may cause food allergies and negative reactions, so finding the right one is very important.
Here are a few simple ways to prevent bread gone bad without altering flavor or causing unpleasant side effects.
Keep it in the Freezer
Freezing has been used as a preservative method by those in cold climates for centuries, and it’s still a fantastic way to keep your baked goods in great shape without affecting flavor or adding anything that might cause unpleasant side effects. The key to freezing baked goods so they maintain their freshness is to limit the item’s exposure to air. For example, you’ll want to wrap a loaf of bread as tightly as possible with foil and then keep it stored in a freezer-safe, sealed plastic bag.
Keep it Tightly Sealed
Perhaps this is the most obvious one, but it’s also the simplest. As previously mentioned, soft, fresh baked goods don’t do well with exposure to air, so allowing them to cool or rest on the countertop uncovered for extended periods can translate to dry, gross-tasting bread. Make sure you know how to properly store your breads, muffins, cookies and more so that they don’t age quicker than you’d like. Store them in a tight-fitting container and never store in the fridge (this will dry out baked goods).
Work Honey into the Recipe
Honey is one of nature’s finest creations, serving as an all-natural sweetener and an impressive preserver all at once. Many bakers swear by the honey preservation method, which requires you to either add honey to the recipe (usually about two tablespoons for a standard loaf of bread) or use it as the replacement for your regularly scheduled sugar. The result is a sweetly flavored creation that lasts longer.
![Advice for Bakers: 7 Ways to Extend Shelf Life (2) Advice for Bakers: 7 Ways to Extend Shelf Life (2)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Work Cinnamon into the Recipe
Like honey, cinnamon is one of those naturally occurring miracle workers that can simultaneously improve flavor and lengthen shelf life. This delicious, warming spice offers natural microbial properties, preventing it from developing mold or becoming hard and stale. This is a great option for when you’re baking cookies, muffins and sweetbreads that could benefit from a bit of cozy cinnamon flavor.
Add in a Bit of Pectin
Pectin is a carbohydrate found in raw fruit, acting in nature as the glue that holds cell walls together. It is most commonly used as a gelling agent in jams and jellies, but it can also be used to help preserve the life of your home-baked sweets and savory breads. A tablespoon or two of powdered pectin can help improve the consistency of baked goods while also giving them a longer shelf life. Do a bit of experimenting to find the perfect amount for your recipe.
Add an Enzyme
To extend the shelf life of products, many bakers use specially formulated enzymes for preservation. These naturally occurring protein compounds can keep baked goods soft while preventing crumbling and staling. Many of these formulas use the amazing enzyme known as amylase—the one found in our saliva and pancreas that turns starch and glycogen into simple sugars—which can cause the bread to rise and maintain its sweet, fluffy flavor for longer. Enzymes are a surprisingly impressive but lesser-known tool in baking and can do everything from extend shelf life to improve color, consistency and texture.
Why It’s Important to Extend Shelf Life
Extending the shelf life of food has been a worthy human pursuit probably since the beginning of time. We have no use for spoiled food, and it can expose us to potentially dangerous pathogens and bacteria that can make us sick. On top of that, learning how to preserve food for longer can help us curb food waste, eliminate the shameful pantry cleanout featuring heaps of old, moldy and stale food, reduce losses and improve profits in a commercial set-up. Using these smart preservation tips will help ensure that your home-baked creations stay fresher for longer!
FAQs
Sorbic acid: This preservative is added to bread to inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Sodium benzoate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of yeasts and bacteria. Potassium sorbate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria.
How can I make my bakery last longer? ›
4 Ways To Extend The Shelf Life Of Your Bakery Products
- Keep Them Tightly Sealed.
- Use Oxygen Absorber Packets.
- Freeze Don't Refrigerate.
- Use Natural Preservatives.
What do bakers put in bread to make it last longer? ›
Sorbic acid: This preservative is added to bread to inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Sodium benzoate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of yeasts and bacteria. Potassium sorbate: This preservative is added to bread to prevent the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria.
How should you store baked products to ensure longer freshness? ›
Learn how to keep your favourite baked goods fresh with these easy storage tips and tricks.
- 1 Cool your baked goods completely. ...
- 2 Separate the layers. ...
- 3 Add a piece of bread for moisture. ...
- 4 Store different baked goods separately. ...
- 5 Be wary of humidity. ...
- 6 Don't freeze everything. ...
- 7 Serve at the correct temperature.
What would you recommend to extend or prolong the bread shelf life? ›
Maintain optimal storage conditions: Store bread in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Excessive heat can promote bacterial growth, while exposure to light and humidity can accelerate staleness and mold development.
How to increase the shelf life of bakery products? ›
Advice for Bakers: 7 Ways to Extend Shelf Life
- Keep it in the Freezer. ...
- Keep it Tightly Sealed. ...
- Work Honey into the Recipe. ...
- Work Cinnamon into the Recipe. ...
- Add in a Bit of Pectin. ...
- Add an Enzyme. ...
- Why It's Important to Extend Shelf Life.
How do bakeries keep things fresh? ›
Bakeries keep cakes fresh by storing them in airtight containers or wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss. They may also use simple syrup to brush the cake layers before frosting, which helps retain moisture and prolong freshness.
What is the best natural preservative for bread? ›
Lecithin is a natural preservative that comes from soy or egg yolks. Adding lecithin to your regular loaf of bread helps keep it fluffy and light. At the same time, it acts as a natural preservative for your bread. Powdered ascorbic acid is another well-known natural food preservative used in bread.
What additive makes bread last longer? ›
Mold Inhibitors
To slow down the growth of mold, bread producers add mold inhibitors to bread. They work by reducing the pH of the bread, creating an acidic environment that slows down the initial growth of mold. Natural mold inhibitors include organic acids like vinegar, raisin juice, and citric acid.
What ingredients increase the shelf life of bread? ›
Ingredients such as calcium propionate, sodium propionate and potassium sorbate inhibit microbial growth by altering the cell's membrane. They are a cost-effective way to prevent mold growth but often have a negative perception among consumers.
“Bakers will use enzymes to break down starches, fibers to assist with moisture retention and emulsifiers to slow moisture migration,” said Nadeen Mayers, application development specialist, Foodology by Univar Solutions. “Emulsifiers, for example, work by creating stable emulsions in the batter or dough.
What baked goods stay fresh the longest? ›
How to Store Baked Goods
Baked Good | Room Temperature | Freezer |
---|
Cookies | 2-3 weeks | 8-12 months |
Cream Pies | n/a | n/a |
Fruit Pies | 1-2 days | 8 months |
Muffins | 3-7 days | 3 months |
8 more rowsOct 26, 2023
What ingredient helps baked products stay fresh longer and improves their texture? ›
Fats/Shortenings. Fats/Shortenings make baked goods moist, add flavor, and keep baked items fresh longer. Any fat, such as oil or butter, acts as a shortening in baking. The more thoroughly mixed, the more the fat will affect the item's overall texture.
Does toasting bread extend shelf life? ›
Toasting bread can help bring back some of its freshness, but it won't last much longer than a day or two. It's more of a short-term solution for stale bread.
What is the best way to store bread for longevity? ›
To save bread so it stays fresh longer, you can store it in plastic wrap, a reusable zip-top plastic bag, or a bread box. Avoid storing bread in damp, airy locations, which can speed up molding. If you're not going to eat the loaf in two or three days, the best option is to freeze it for later.
How do you make bread last longer than expiration date? ›
If it's going to take longer than that, then you should freeze it (also in plastic). Wrapping bread in foil works, too, as it is airtight. If you have round bread with a crispy crust like a sourdough boule, you don't have to wrap it at all.
How long do fresh bakery items last? ›
How long do bakery items last?
Bakery item | Shelf | Refrigerator |
---|
Made from mix | 3-4 days | 7 days |
Pound cake | 3-4 days | 7 days |
Cheesecake | No | 7 days |
Cookies, bakery or homemade | 2-3 weeks | 2 months |
20 more rows
How to keep pastries fresh for days? ›
Sweet pastries are best stored overnight at room temperature in the box or bag you received them in. If additional storage time is needed, pastries may be stored in an airtight container for two days. Moist air inside a refrigerator will affect the texture of the pastry.
How do you keep a bakery cake fresh? ›
Unlike storing it in the refrigerator, freezing a cake is actually a wonderful way to keep it fresh, particularly for longer periods. This will work for both unfrosted and fully frosted cakes. If your cake is in a bakery box, simply wrap the box in two layers of plastic wrap and store it in the freezer just like that.