How to Refresh Stale Bread

By eHow Food & Drink Editor

Rate: (7 Ratings)

Leftover bread doesn't have to be made into bread crumbs. Yesterday's muffins, bagels or walnut-cranberry semolina loaf can all be revived easily. Bread that is rock hard, though, cannot be saved by this method.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Paper Bag

Step1
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Step2
Place the stale bread in a clean paper bag. Fold or twist the bag's opening to close.
Step3
Dampen the bag lightly and evenly with cold water. The surface of the bread may become a little wet, but avoid soaking the bread's interior.
Step4
Heat the entire bag in the oven until the bread is softened and warmed through. Sprinkle with more water if the bag dries before the bread is ready. Allow about 5 minutes for rolls or slices and at least 20 minutes for large loaves.
Step5
Be sure to remove the bag from the oven before it scorches or before you increase the temperature.

Tips & Warnings

  • This is also a good way to defrost and heat frozen breads in one step. Lower the oven temperature to 275°F (135°C) for baked goods taken directly from the freezer.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/12/2006 Put a paper towel in the bag with your bread before freezing or storing it. I don't know why, but this keeps it tasting like fresh even when frozen.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Buy Warburton's bread. It keeps soft and fresh a lot longer than other loaves. Trust me, it's the most fabulous bread you'll ever have. Available in the UK only.

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eHow Article:  How to Refresh Stale Bread

eHow Food & Drink Editor

eHow Food & Drink Editor

Category: Food & Drink

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