The Best Way to Put that Last Slice of Sandwich Bread to Good Use
When I was growing up, my mother had some endearing food preferences that I didn’t know weren’t so common until I became older. The best example that comes to mind: My mom loves the heels of any loaf of bread. Whenever our family opened a pack of store-bought bread or just as we were nearing the end of a loaf, she’d shout out — as if any of us would want it — “Save the heel for me!”
If you’re not like my mom and you wouldn’t bother vying to eat that last piece bread, I have a great tip to make sure that last slice doesn’t go to waste. Ready to find out what it is?
Use the last slice of sandwich bread to keep your cookies fresh and soft.
It’s simple — use that heel of bread to keep your soft, homemade cookies, well, soft. Why? Because cookies that are supposed to be soft and chewy are disappointing when they become crunchy and stale!
Here’s what you do: Add a piece of bread to your cookie airtight container. That’s it. What kind of bread, you ask? Ideally white sandwich bread, but wheat will work fine too. Just don’t use anything with a strong flavor (like garlic or rosemary), as it could easily transfer to your baked goods.
See, as they’re stored, the cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread and that means they won’t dry out. Whether you’ve stashed your cookies in a cookie jar or a tightly sealed plastic food container, just wedge in that last slice of bread to extend your treats’ shelf life. If you’re just now reading this after your soft cookies have already turned stale, try this trick as a last resort. Add a slice of bread and let everything sit overnight.
But, remember, you only need one slice of bread. Too many pieces of bread means too much moisture, and an excessive amount may turn your cookies mushy. Use this cookie-saving tip when you make big batches — or you need to make baked treats the night before a gathering of friends and family.
It’s a totally sweet way to put that unwanted heel to use — and keep your baked goods tasting oh-so fresh!
What do you do with that final heel of bread? Tell us your ideas in the comments below.