Hot muffins right out of the oven can be heaven on a plate, but eating the entire dozen rather than storing them until they can be shared with a friend or loved one is often bad for the waistline. Many people try to avoid storing their muffins because of the yuck factor when they get soggy, but that does not have to happen to anyone. Those tasty treats can be saved for sharing if the right recipe for storing them is followed, and they can be as yummy as they were when first emerging from the pan.
Proper cooling
Few people consider the process of baking, but it is generally used to dry out ingredients that have been mixed. This process actually continues for a short time once the items have been removed from a hot oven, so allowing it to proceed naturally is the best course. Muffins and other baked goods should be left in the pan for only about ten minutes, and they should then rest on a rack until they have cooled to room temperature. Doing this will begin the journey of being able to enjoy those delicious delicacies over the next few days.
Moisture control
One of the downsides of storing muffins and other baked goods is the nastiness of a soggy and inedible item that brings nothing but disappointment. Avoiding this mishap is best done with moisture control right from the start. Many people wrap their muffins tightly in plastic and store them in the fridge. This is the path of doom, and it should not be taken by those serious about enjoying snack time. Placing a paper towel in the bottom of a container that can be sealed against air is the next step that should be taken after cooling.
Filling the habitat
The items to be stored will need to have their own space, so crowding can become an issue. Make sure the container is large enough to store the muffins in one layer, and then place a second paper towel over them. While it hides them from the light, that is not really a necessity. Filling the habitat where they will stay for the next day or two with absorbent toweling on bottom and top is the trick that will keep them moist and tasty on the inside while keeping them fresh and wholesome on the outside.
Seal and store
Treating baked goods like they have committed a felony is not going to enhance them, so keep them out of the cold and dankness of the refrigerator. Make sure the airtight container has a good seal and store on the countertop. It might be necessary to keep these treasures out of eyesight, so the top of the refrigerator can also be used. It is important to ensure there will be no complications to bar the path to future happiness.
Keeping muffins fresh is ideal for those who like to bake one day and eat them over the next few days. Baked goods that are properly stored will have between two and four days of freshness, but they might not last that long if there are more than a few people around. When it is time to eat those stored muffins, remember that they should be gently reheated in the microwave oven for no more than fifteen to thirty seconds.
Freezing items is a good way to ensure they will be available further into the future, and muffins can be frozen. Let them dry to room temperature, wrap well in cellophane, and then place them in a plastic bag. Let them defrost at room temperature, and they can again be heated in the microwave for another round of tasty enjoyment.
