Do Baked Goods Need To Be Refrigerated?

Do Baked Goods Need To Be Refrigerated

There’s nothing that can compare to delicious home-baked goods such as wholemeal bread, cakes, pies, and cookies. But when it comes to storing the various baked goods you’ve made, one common question that’s often asked is, do they have to be refrigerated?

Various baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and bread don’t actually have to be stored in the refrigerator. They retain their texture and flavor better when stored in airtight containers. Brownies and cookies will last up to five days, whereas fresh bread, muffins, and pastries will begin to turn stale after three days. 

This article will discuss whether or not baked goods need to be stored in the refrigerator. So keep reading! We have everything you need to know about storing your baked goods, the best method to employ, and tips to ensure they stay fresh for longer.

Baked Goods

Baking is a favored pastime around the world, and each country has a selection of delicious cakes, traybakes, and desserts unique to its own culture. Whether you’re an adult or a child, nothing attracts your attention more than the smell of fresh bread or cookies as it flows through your home.

Humans have been baking for thousands, if not tens of thousands of years, and we have come up with some exciting preservation methods throughout the millennia. In our modern times, we may be tempted to use the fridge for everything, but is this the best way to store baked goods?

Should You Store Your Baked Goods In The Fridge?

Most home-baked goods don’t need to be stored in the refrigerator and will stay fresher when stored on the countertop or in a pantry. While foods such as meat and dairy thrive in refrigerators, this is not the case for baked goods.

The refrigerator produces a lot of cold air, which may cause your bread, pies, and other baked goods to dry out quicker, just like your skin on a winter’s day. Thus, the best option for your baked goods is to store them on the countertop inside a container.

However, if you’re baking a dessert that contains a relatively large amount of dairy or eggs, like cream, custard, or pumpkin pies, then you’ll probably want to ensure that this kind of baked good is stored in the refrigerator.

How To Store Your Baked Goods?

There are numerous baked goods, and each has specific requirements that will increase their overall longevity. Below we will list the most common baked goods and the proper methods to ensure they stay fresher for longer.

Should You Store Your Baked Goods In The Fridge?

How To Store Muffins

Muffins are one of the most delicate and delicious baked goods and can generally be stored relatively easily on the countertop. When storing your muffins, ensure they are placed into an airtight container.

As muffins tend to expel their moisture as they age, it’s best to store them with a paper towel to maximize their longevity. If stored correctly, your muffins will last for up to four days before they begin to go stale.

How To Store Bread

Bread is one of the most exciting things to bake for yourself; generally, you’re left with a warm doughy loaf that can be made into delicious sandwiches. When storing your bread, the traditional bread bin is still the best option to this day.

Bread boxes will ensure your bread or buns stay as fresh for as long as possible. Typically, if stored correctly in the bread bin, your bread will not begin to turn stale for a few days, giving you plenty of time to make sandwiches and toast.

One great thing about bread is that if you cannot eat it all before it begins to go off, you can easily freeze it, and it will store well for up to six months in a freezer.

How To Store Cake

Cake can be difficult to store as they tend to be large items that take up a lot of room. If you are baking a basic sponge cake with light frosting, the best option is to get yourself a cake stand and a cover to ensure it stays fresh. Alternatively, you could cut the cake into slices and store them in airtight containers.

If you decide to bake a cake and cover it with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting, you may want to store it in the refrigerator. The high dairy frosting will become susceptible to various bacteria if not chilled.

How To Store Cookies

Cookies are another excellent baked item that can easily be stored on your counter-top. The trick to ensuring that your cookies stay fresh for as long as possible is to store them with other baked goods.

If you opt to bake soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies, placing them in an airtight container with a piece of white bread helps to keep them fresher for longer. The cookies will slowly soak up any moisture the bread releases, ensuring they hold their texture for up to four days.

Tips On Making Your Baked Goods Last Longer

Various tips can help you increase your baked goods’ longevity and ensure that they reduce the chance of them going stale faster than they should.

One impressive trick when it comes to regulating moisture in your baked goods is placing a single slice of bread in an airtight container. This will prevent your baked goods from going stale faster than they should.

Using a good airtight container is one way to ensure that your baked goods stay fresh for as long as possible; however, you could also wrap them in plastic film. Just ensure you don’t squash them when wrapping them in film.

Ensuring that you keep your storage containers out of direct sunlight will also further extend their life. You should try to find a cool and dry spot on your kitchen counter-tops or simply store them in a pantry.

Would you like to discuss any other topics? Check out these links for some interesting information like, How Long Do Bagels Last In The Fridge?Can you freeze sweet potatoes? and Does babybel cheese need to be refrigerated?

Conclusion

Now you know that your various baked goods, whether it’s cookies, bread, or muffins, all thrive and remain fresher for longer when stored in a cool and dry area instead of the fridge.

However, if you use an excess of dairy and eggs when baking a cake or a pastry, it’s best to store this item in the fridge to reduce the chances of bacterial growth.

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