Make baked goods ‘last much longer’ without compromising ‘quality’ with six expert tips

Baked goods go off fast, even when they’re kept in the fridge which isn’t just a waste of food, but a waste of time and money too.

Fred Harrington, , said: “Baked goods are popular over , which is a great time for foodies everywhere.

“But they go odd quickly, and that means they need to be eaten quickly, or you have to cook a small batch and then cook more when those foodies have done their worst.

“There are ways to preserve your baked goods, however, and they’re easy to do and don’t cost much.”

The expert recommended a variety of tricks to make baked items “” without compromising on “quality, taste or texture”.

1. Be cool

The expert said: “Fending off foodies, let baked goods cool completely before you seal them in a container.

“This will stop condensation caused by the cooling from building up inside the container, which can make the stored goods soggy.”

2. Think airtight

As soon as they have cooled, store them in airtight containers to minimise exposure to the air, which dries them out.

3. Layer cake

For baked goods with layers like cakes and crackers, separate the layers with paper, which will absorb moisture from each layer.

The expert noted: “Don’t forget, moisture makes baked goods go soggy, and when they do, nobody will want to eat them because their texture is spoiled.

4. Bread storage

You should store bread you’ve baked in a paper bag or breadbox to minimise air circulation and prevent it from turning stale.

Fred continued: “To keep bread softer for longer, you can add a bit more fat and water to the dough than normal when baking it.

“Baking bread for a shorter time also helps to keep it fresher for longer. Bread can also be stored in the fridge, making it stay delicious for longer.”

5. What did you bake?

The types of storage you use depend on what you have baked. Cookies can be stored in a high-quality, airtight container at room temperature for several days, while things like cake and cheesecake should be kept in the fridge.

6. Make it a date

Label your stored baked creations with the date they were cooked so people get an idea of when they’ll still be fresh to consume.

The expert added: “Keeping moisture out but not letting your baked beauties dry out in the air is an easy balance to find, with a little experience. With experience, intuition kicks in, and it gets much easier.

“Baked goods tend to involve butter. But margarine and oils stay unchanged for longer than butter, so use them if you can.”