How to Slice Bread

Bread is a mainstay in American culture, baking its way into recipes, sandwiching its way into lunch boxes, rising from bread makers and getting lathered with butter and jam. Break bread and slice up some servings with these very simple steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Purchase an unsliced loaf of bread, which will stay fresher longer than presliced bread. Any specially baked recipes, such as flavored or spiced bread, should be purchased unsliced.

2. Wait to slice the bread until you are ready to eat it. Once a loaf is broken, the air automatically begins to make the bread stale. Slice only what you need to keep the rest of the loaf fresh.

3. Use a serrated knife, an electric carving knife or a meat slicer. A butter knife will put too much pressure on the bread and smash the slice. Make sure the knife you use has a sharp-enough edge to easily break through the top of the loaf.

4. Wash your hands thoroughly before starting to slice. Hold one end of the bread loaf firmly in place and begin slicing in a sawing motion. Start at the bread's top and work your way slowly through the softer part of the loaf.

5. Cut approximately 1/2-inch-thick slices for sandwich bread and 1-inch-thick slices for French toast recipes. For regular toast, some people prefer the bread to be sliced thinner, closer to 1/4 inch.

6. Consider the purchase of an at-home bread slicer. These handy tools come in all shapes and sizes and can be purchased inexpensively online or at a local kitchen supply store.

Tips & Warnings

• Any sandwich recipe for kids usually needs to be cut in half. This requires simultaneously slicing two pieces of bread, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Cut diagonally for triangular sandwich pieces and horizontally or vertically for sandwich squares.

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