How to Store Baking Ingredients and Baked Goods

Have you ever bought baking ingredients, had some left over and not known how to store them? Or had to throw away bakes you couldn't finish because they weren't stored properly? Today we're sharing how to store baking ingredients and different kinds of baked goods.

How to Store Baking Ingredients

1. Flour: flours such as cake flour and bread flour stay in good condition for up to 5 months if kept free of insects. Store them in a clean, well-ventilated, odour-free room at 68–72°F and 55–65% relative humidity. Any flour with insects in it must be separated and thrown away immediately.
2. Yeast: yeast spoils easily. Keep it in a dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. If not refrigerated, store it at no higher than 90°F. Under these conditions, dry yeast keeps for at least 1 month, or longer.
3. Sugar: both white and brown sugar absorb moisture. Take them out of their bags and store them in plastic or glass containers; otherwise the sugar absorbs moisture from the air until it becomes damp, where microbes thrive and turn it sour. Fine sugar and icing sugar must be kept dry when not in use to prevent lumps. Don't use metal containers, as they may rust.
4. Fats and oils: vegetable fats keep at room temperature for 2–3 months; to keep them longer, refrigerate them. Solid lard should be refrigerated in a tightly closed container, or it can be kept at room temperature. Salad oil and olive oil turn rancid easily once opened. Vegetable fats, besides being refrigerated, shouldn't be stored near strong-smelling foods, because fat absorbs foreign odours quickly and easily. The main enemies of fat are light, air, water, heat, high temperatures and metal, all of which make fat go rancid easily.
5. Eggs: store fresh eggs in the fridge's egg compartment with the wide end up, and they'll keep for up to 5 weeks. Fresh eggs lose moisture and carbon dioxide as they age. Eggs tend to absorb fridge odours, especially if not kept in the compartment. Separated egg whites keep for a week in the fridge in a tightly closed glass container. Don't keep eggs too long, even in the fridge, because bacteria may develop and cause food poisoning.
6. Milk: fresh milk or skim milk should be refrigerated when not in use to prevent spoilage, as lactic acid turns milk sour. Evaporated milk isn't a problem because canned milk has been sterilised, but watch out for swollen cans, which indicate spoiled milk. Store milk powder in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed; because it contains little moisture, it absorbs moisture from the air and forms lumps.
7. Spices and baking powder: store in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed. Tins must be clean and free of rust.

How to Store Baked Goods

1. Cake

Cake is a favourite for so many people, appealing to look at and wonderfully well-balanced in flavour. Cake keeps for 5 days in the fridge, or 1–2 months if wrapped in an extra layer of cling film and frozen. Fruit cakes containing alcohol, nuts and dried fruit can keep for several months.

2. Brownies

Another favourite for chocolate lovers, as most are packed with rich chocolate flavour. Brownies can be kept for anywhere from 1 to 30 days: 1–3 days at room temperature, 7 days in the fridge, and 1 month in the freezer. Always remember to wrap them in cling film before putting them in the fridge.

3. Bread

Many people buy a big loaf but can't finish it in one go, so they need a way to store it. Most bread comes with an expiry date on the packaging, but for filled breads such as butter bread, raisin bread or other filled breads, many people choose to refrigerate them. That's the wrong method, because it makes the bread harden. The right way is to wrap the bread in cling film and freeze it. Whenever you want to eat it, just reheat it and it will taste as good as ever.

4. Egg tarts

A popular bake for those who love rich, sweet, well-rounded flavours, egg tarts stand out for their crisp outside and soft centre. At room temperature, they keep for 1–2 days; in the fridge, 3–4 days. Always reheat them before eating again.

Besides storing cakes and baked goods correctly to extend their life, it's also important to choose a delivery company that specialises in food and bakery delivery. Fast, correct delivery keeps bakes tasting as delicious as if they'd just been made, and keeps them looking appetising too.