{"id":807055,"date":"2019-01-11T12:00:09","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T18:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=807055"},"modified":"2025-01-17T14:55:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T20:55:37","slug":"how-to-keep-bread-fresh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-to-keep-bread-fresh\/","title":{"rendered":"Does a Bread Box Really Keep Bread Fresher?"},"content":{"rendered":"As a professional chef, I'm pretty obsessed with bread. I have a hard time knowing how to please those on low-carb or no-carb diets without it, and it's a challenge to design gluten-free menus<\/a>. Whether it's a perfect brioche bun for a hamburger<\/a> or a slice of sourdough bread alongside a bowl of pasta, bread always wins best supporting actor of my meal. But the challenge for any bread lover is knowing how to keep bread fresh.\r\n\r\nI know bread boxes are making a comeback, and I wanted to see if it was for good reason.\u00a0I decided to put this bread box<\/a> to the test!\r\nWhat's the Experiment?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nI picked up a few loaves of unsliced sourdough bread<\/a>\u2014all made at the same bakery\u2014and stored them four different ways: in plastic wrap, in the plastic bag they came in, in a paper bag and in the bread box. I tried my best to forget about that moist crumb, crunchy exterior and totally intoxicating aroma for a few days. (Okay, if I'm being honest, I bought a fifth loaf and devoured it on the drive back to my house.) I monitored the bread for the next three days before slicing it in half and assessing it for two more days.\r\nA Closer Look at the Results<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe Method That Just Didn't Work<\/strong><\/h4>\r\nThe paper bag was, by far, the weakest link. By day two, it was hard as a rock. By day three, I could barely slice through its crusty exterior to cut it in half for the second half of the testing. While the inside was still nice and moist, I definitely would have had to use this stale bread hack<\/a> to make it edible. So, when it comes to storing your bread, skip the paper bag.\r\nThe Ones That Were Pretty Good<\/strong><\/h4>\r\nThe plastic bag and plastic wrap methods were fairly on par with each other when it came to keeping the bread fresh. But, they both had a major disadvantage: the plastic suffocated the crust. By day three, the bread was still edible, but it was completely soft. It had lost that crispy exterior that gives bread its signature chew. They were both a little dry, too, although not completely stale.\r\nThe Winner!<\/strong><\/h4>\r\nThe clear winner in this experiment was the bread box. What are bread boxes for? They help bread retain its original characteristics: a crispy exterior, a moist crumb and a delectable chew. Like a plastic bag, this bread-making tool<\/a> traps the moisture from the bread inside the container. But, unlike the bag, a box also is breathable, allowing some of that moisture to escape instead of softening the bread's exterior. In short, the box creates the perfect humid environment to keep your bread at its peak for three or four days.\r\n\r\nI will say, though, that the sliced loaf dried out on the cut end when stored in the bread box. I was able to prevent drying if I pressed the slices together to protect the exposed slice, but the slices in the plastic could be fully exposed without drying out (at the expense of a crisp exterior, of course).\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"26050\"]\r\nHow to Keep Bread Fresh<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIf you're buying pre-sliced bread, the bread box might not be for you. But if you want to keep a store-bought artisan loaf (or, better yet, homemade bread) in its peak condition for a few days, I'd definitely recommend a bread box. I picked up this model<\/a> because it looks stylish on my kitchen counter and it's flat on the top, giving me space to store other pantry items.\r\n\r\nUsing a bread box is also a greener way to store your bread: no excess plastic needed. That means you'll create less waste, both by going plastic-free<\/a> and by preventing your bread from going stale. And, picking up a bread box sounds like a good excuse to start making homemade bread<\/a>! If you're looking for a healthy alternative, learn how to make ezekiel bread<\/a> from scratch.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStash Away This Homemade Bread<\/div>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 98<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"28642\" msn_thumb_id=\"1701797\" type_of_player=\"jw\" \/]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nBasic Homemade Bread<\/a>\r\nIf you'd like to learn how to bake bread, here's a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread bakes up deliciously golden brown. There's nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. \u2014Sandra Anderson, New York, New York\r\n\r\n[embed_shop_button shop_btn_text=\"Go to Recipe\" shop_btn_url=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/basic-homemade-bread\/\" \/]\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>French Bread<\/a>My kids love to help me make this delicious bread recipe. It's quite easy, and they enjoy the fact that they can be eating fresh bread in less than two hours! \u2014Denise Boutin, Grand Isle, VermontGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nPsst! Make bread a breeze with these essential bread-making tools<\/a>.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sunflower Seed & Honey Wheat Bread<\/a>I've tried other bread recipes, but this one is a staple in our home. I won $50 in a bake-off with a loaf that I had stored in the freezer. \u2014Mickey Turner, Grants Pass, OregonGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWant a bread baking refresher? Check out our bread baking guide<\/a> and get all of your questions answered (or just get some reassurance).\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pumpkin Bread<\/a>I keep my freezer stocked for our harvest crew with home-baked goodies like this deliciously spicy, easy pumpkin bread recipe. \u2014Joyce Jackson, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia\r\n\r\n(Find more easy quick bread recipes<\/a> like this one!)Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Banana Bread<\/a>Our best ever banana bread is soft, moist and filled with a caramelized banana flavor. It\u2019s easy to see why bakers love this recipe!Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Baker\u2019s Dozen Yeast Rolls<\/a>A yummy honey-garlic topping turns these easy dinner rolls into something extra special. Try \u2019em with soups and chili. \u2014Taste Recipes Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cornbread<\/a>Golden squares of buttery cornbread pair perfectly with any comfort meal. This cornbread is crisp on the outside with a soft, crumbly interior.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nHave you ever ended up with undercooked bread<\/a>? Learn what to do about it and ensure it never happens again.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Oatmeal Dinner Rolls<\/a>These fluffy rolls go perfectly with any meal. They have a delicious homemade flavor that's irresistible. I like them because they're not hard to make and they bake up nice and high. \u2014Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, IowaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cinnamon Raisin Quick Bread<\/a>If you like cinnamon raisin bread but don't want to bake with yeast, here's a cinnamon raisin quick bread recipe that's sure to please. A tender, raisin-dotted buttermilk batter hides a swirl of cinnamon and sugar that lends just the right amount of sweetness to each slice.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nTake a look at these cranberry bread recipes<\/a>.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Golden Honey Pan Rolls<\/a>A cousin in North Carolina gave me the recipe for these delicious honey-glazed rolls. Using my bread machine to make the dough saves me about 2 hours compared to the traditional method. The rich buttery taste of these rolls is so popular with family and friends that I usually make two batches so I have enough! \u2014Sara Wing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania\r\n Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Keto Bread<\/a>This keto-friendly recipe creates a toasty, golden loaf from almond flour, flaxseeds, eggs and butter. It's perfect for everyday use, like toast, sandwiches and more! \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Blueberry Bread<\/a>Bake up some sunshine with our incredibly moist, tender and flavorful lemon blueberry bread. Loaded with zesty citrus, juicy blueberries and crunchy nuts, this will easily become your favorite take on this classic quick bread.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Icebox Butterhorns<\/a>These beautiful golden rolls just melt in your mouth! People will be impressed when these appear on your table. \u2014Judy Clark, Elkhart, Indiana Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pear Bread Recipe<\/a>This pear bread recipe needs to be at the forefront of your next fall baking affair. It makes two warmly spiced and pear-studded bread loaves that just taste like a crisp autumn day.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Italian Bread<\/a>A basket of Italian bread complements any meal. Make your own loaves at home with our simple, straightforward recipe, then use them for sandwiches or just for sopping up some sauce.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Apple Zucchini Bread<\/a>This quick apple zucchini bread spotlights late-summer produce. It's easy to bake and absolutely delicious.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nFor more, check out our collection of zucchini bread recipes<\/a> and also learn how to make zucchini bread<\/a>.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Crusty Bread<\/a>This easy crusty bread recipe proves that you absolutely can\u00a0make a bakery-quality loaf at home\u2014no kneading required. Once you've mastered the basic recipe, try variations with cheddar, herbs and more.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Apple Bread<\/a>While this apple bread is simply delicious as is, the fall-friendly recipe is also ripe for improvisation, so feel free to add your favorite dried fruits.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Honey Cornbread<\/a>Nix the box mix for this homemade honey cornbread recipe. It\u2019s comforting and complements savory dishes effortlessly. Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Country White Bread<\/a>This country white bread is wonderful for making sandwiches or French toast, and it's quite delicious even on its own.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Soft Dinner Rolls<\/a>These soft dinner rolls are relatively easy to make. Give yourself time to properly knead and rise the dough before baking and you'll have fluffy rolls on your table in no time.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Buttermilk Biscuits<\/a>You can make biscuits any day of the week with this simple 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits recipe.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pull-Apart Garlic Bread<\/a>This pull-apart garlic bread is buttery, savory and all-around excellent. Plus, it's quite easy to make with premade dough.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Angel Biscuits<\/a>Angel biscuits aren't the same old, same old. They use yeast for leavening, along with the usual baking powder and baking soda, giving them a uniquely light texture and flavor.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pumpkin Knot Rolls<\/a>These rolls are the lightest, most delicious ones I've ever tasted\u2014and everyone else seems to agree. The pumpkin gives them mild flavor, moist texture and a pretty golden color. At our house, it wouldn't be the holidays without them. \u2014Dianna Shimizu, Issaquah, WashingtonGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Buttery Bubble Bread<\/a>Homemade bread can be time-consuming, difficult and tricky to make. But this fun-to-eat monkey bread, baked in a fluted tube pan, is easy and almost foolproof. If I'm serving it for breakfast, I add some cinnamon and drizzle it with icing. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Praline-Topped Apple Bread<\/a>Apples, toasted pecans and a praline glaze make this bread perfect for a holiday celebration\u2014or anytime. We like it better than our go-to coffee cake. \u2014Sonja Blow, Nixa, Missouri\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>English Muffin Bread<\/a>Slathering butter (or honey or chocolate hazelnut spread) on a slice of this craggy English muffin bread is ultra-satisfying, as it catches and pools in the crannies, making each bite a delight.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Potato Rolls<\/a>Homemade potato rolls have a distinctively delicious flavor and moist, fluffy texture.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Blueberry Bread<\/a>This blueberry bread recipe is a simple quick bread you'll look forward to making when fresh blueberries are in season.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Garlic Crescent Rolls<\/a>The simple comfort of warm crescent rolls gets dressed up with a brush of herbed garlic butter and a shower of Parmesan cheese.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Honey Bread<\/a>Is there anything better than homemade bread? This simple honey bread recipe makes two soft loaves perfect for toast or sandwiches. It's like your favorite white bread, with just a hint of honey sweetness.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Honey-Oat Pan Rolls<\/a>These tender rolls are relatively quick to make. Whole wheat flour and oats make them nutritious, too.\u2014Arlene Butler, Ogden, UtahGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pull-Apart Bacon Bread<\/a>I stumbled across this recipe while looking for something different to take to a brunch. Boy, am I glad I did! Everyone asked for the recipe and was surprised it called for only five ingredients. It's the perfect treat to bake for an informal get-together. \u2014Traci Collins, Cheyenne, WyomingGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Make-Ahead Butterhorns<\/a>Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. \u2014Bernice Morris, Marshfield, MissouriGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Parmesan Sweet Cream Biscuits<\/a>Sweet cream biscuits were the first kind I mastered. Since the ingredients are so simple, I can scale the recipe up or down. In fact, I've actually memorized it! \u2014Helen Nelander, Boulder Creek, CaliforniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sweet Potato Bread<\/a>One slice of this warm, tender sweet potato bread and you\u2019ll see why it\u2019s one of our favorite sweet potato fall desserts.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Potluck Pan Rolls<\/a>The appealing homemade yeast-bread flavor of these golden rolls is unbeatable. Soft and light, they're great alongside any entree. Folks are disappointed if I don't bring them to potluck dinners. \u2014Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New MexicoGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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