Everyone loves a good pastry. The flaky texture, the rich and indulgent flavor – what’s not to love? Of course, being as delicious and delicate as they are, there’s room for a lot of mishaps – especially if you don’t store them properly. That said, what’s the right way to store pastries and keep them fresh?
The best way to store pastries is to wrap them in plastic wrap, place them inside a paper bag, then place them inside a plastic resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Leave at room temperature for up to two days, in the fridge for three days, or freezer for up to three months.
Hello, fellow bakers and pastry lovers! My name’s Michelle, and I’m a baker with ten years of experience. I enjoy baking and eating all types of treats, including pastries. There’s nothing worse than a dried-out pastry, which is why I’ve found the best storage method.
Keep reading to find out how to store pastries and keep them fresh!
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How to Store Pastries in Five Simple Steps
Proper pasty storage is essential. If pastries are not stored correctly, you will end up with rock-hard pastries that are dry, stale, and otherwise repulsive. Thankfully, storing pastries isn’t challenging. Here’s how to do it.
1. Allow Them to Cool Entirely
If you’re making a batch of homemade pastries, you must let them cool before storing them.
If you try to store still-warm pastries, you will ruin them. The release of excess moisture will cause your pastries to become a soggy, disgusting mess.
That said, place your pastries on a baking rack and allow them to cool entirely.
2. Wrap Each Pastry in Plastic Wrap
Now that your pastries have successfully cooled, it’s time to reach for your handy dandy plastic wrap.
Wrapping each pastry individually will ensure that they remain fresh and unharmed.
3. Place in a Paper Bag
You might think it’s a-okay to toss your pastries into a plastic bag and call it a day. Truthfully, you can, but you won’t be able to keep your pastries as fresh.
Instead, reach for the brown paper bag – you know, the same one your mom used to pack your peanut butter and jelly in for school.
Stash your pastries inside the brown paper bag. This type of bag will lock in freshness.
4. Place Inside a Resealable Freezer Bag or Airtight Container
Another barrier of protection?
You bet.
Remember – pastries are susceptible to drying out and losing their beloved flakiness, and nobody wants that to happen.
Although it might seem a little “extra,” go ahead and place your paper bag inside a plastic resealable freezer bag or an airtight container.
If using a plastic bag, ensure all the air is expressed before placing your pastries inside.
5. Decide Where to Store Your Pastries
Now that your pastries are all boxed up and ready to stay fresh as a daisy, it’s time to decide where you’ll store your beloved goodies.
You have three options.
Room Temperature
At room temperature, your pastries will remain fresh and delicious for up to two days. Your kitchen countertop is ideal for your pastries, as they’ll retain the same texture and taste. Ensure you keep the pastries in a cool and dry spot out of the sunlight.
Refrigerator
Do you need an extra day to keep your pastries fresh? Your next best option is the refrigerator. Pastries will stay fresh for three days in the fridge. However, keep in mind that the refrigerator poses a risk of your pastries drying out.
Note: If you have pastries filled or topped with a dairy product, like custard, they’ll need to be refrigerated immediately.
Freezer
The best option for long-term storage is the freezer. In the freezer, pastries will stay fresh and good for up to three months. Honestly, they’ll be “safe” to eat after the three-month mark, but the quality will deteriorate. It’s best to consume ASAP.
3 Signs Pastries Are No Longer Good to Eat
Even with the best storage, your pastries will go bad over time. You need to be able to spot an old pastry, so you don’t end up with a bellyache down the road. Here are the top three signs that your pastry has gone bad.
1. Rock-Hard Texture
The most significant indicator of spoiled pastry is its rock-hard texture.
So, pick up your pastry and try to tear off a piece. A regular pastry will break easily. An old pastry will be challenging to break off.
If your pastries are hard to the touch, throw them out and buy or make a fresh batch.
2. Ultra Crumbly Texture
On the other hand, an old pastry will be extremely crumbly – and not in a good way.
There is a big difference between a delightfully flaky pastry and one crumbling the second you try to touch it.
Too much flaking and crumbling? Get rid of it.
3. Mold Growth
Pastries typically don’t have very vibrant colors (unless they’re filled/topped with a colorful ingredient).
If you see any colorful spots on your pastry that aren’t supposed to be there, you’ll need to toss them out. This indicates mold growth, and eating mold can make you ill.
Note: Moldy spots may or may not be accompanied by the notorious “fuzz.”
FAQs
Storing pastries isn’t challenging at all! If you want to keep learning about this topic, I’ve included some frequently asked questions below. You might learn a few more critical things about pastry storage!
How do you store pastries so they last longer?
The best way to store pastries long-term is to place them in the freezer. Ensure they’re individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed inside a paper bag and resealable freezer bag before storing. Let the pastry thaw at room temp before consuming.
How long do pastries stay fresh?
That depends on where they’re stored. At room temperature, pastries stay fresh for about two days. In the refrigerator, they’ll remain fresh for three days. They’ll be good for up to three months when stored in the freezer.
Where is the best place to store pastries?
The best place to store pastries is at room temperature, either in the pantry or on the counter. Make sure they are correctly stored, though. Begin by individually wrapping each pastry. Then, place it inside a paper bag and a resealable freezer bag or airtight container.
Properly Stored Pastries Will Easily Stay Fresh and Yummy!
The best way to store pastries is to wrap each individually with plastic wrap, then place them inside a paper bag. Finally, place the bag inside a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Store at room temp, in the fridge, or freezer.
How do you store your pastries?
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