The Best Way to Store Quick Breads and Muffins
You did the work and baked up a beautiful batch of muffins or quick breads. If you find yourself with leftovers, make sure you’re storing these baked goods correctly for maximum freshness.
First, make sure to cool completely.
Before you pack muffins or quick bread aways, cool them completely. After coming out of the oven, let these baked goods briefly cool in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool all the way.
Even if they’re just a tiny bit warm, muffins and quick bread continue to emit heat. When stored in a sealed container too soon, that excess heat results in condensation. With nowhere to evaporate, it will settle on the muffins and quick bread, creating an unpleasant soggy surface.
Use paper towels and a sealed container.
To help muffins and quick breads maintain their flavor and texture as long as possible, you’ll need two things: a sealable container (or resealable plastic bag) and a few paper towels.
As muffins and quick breads age, moisture from within rises to the surface. When excess moisture can’t evaporate or be absorbed elsewhere, muffins and quick breads pay the price by becoming soggy fast. This is where the paper towel comes in. It absorbs the excess moisture, leaving your baked goods fresher longer.
Store muffins and quick breads in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag, in a single layer. Line the bottom of the container or bag with a sheet of paper towel, then cover the top of the muffins or quick breads with another sheet of paper towel.
More than four days? Head to the freezer.
If you’re planning to store muffins for more than four days, your best bet is to stash them in the freezer. Stored in a resealable freezer bag, muffins and quick breads will keep in the freezer for about three months. Let them come to room temperature and gently warm in the oven before enjoying.
How do you store your muffins and quick breads?