How to Keep a Loaf of Bread Fresh
If you want to keep a loaf of bread fresh beyond its typical shelf life, it's going to have to go in the freezer at some point. But if you've ever frozen a loaf of bread before, you know that it can become soggy when it thaws out. That's because the moisture inside the bread freezes and condensation accumulates on the outsides of the ice crystals, creating more moisture than was originally present. But this handy trick will keep bread frozen solid for weeks and will make the thawing process much less soggy. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Open the bag that the loaf of bread came in. Insert a dish cloth into the bag and arrange it so that the bag won't stretch beyond its capacity.
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Squeeze as much air as possible from the bag, twist the excess plastic and seal it off with a twist tie.
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Place the bag in the freezer. Once frozen, the bread will last for at least three months.
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When it's time to thaw the bread, open the bag and remove the cloth. Reseal the bag and place it in the refrigerator. It will take several hours to fully thaw, but it won't be hard or soggy.
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Tips & Warnings
If the thawed bread isn't quite soft enough, place the slices in the microwave with a small microwave safe dish of water for about 15 seconds. Do this only for slices you intend to use immediately; keep the others refrigerated and wrapped in the bag.
The thawed loaf won't be soggy because the cloth will absorb the excess moisture. If you use paper towels or other paper products, however, they will fall apart and leave paper residue on the bread.
