There is something so satisfying about bringing home real food — bread that was baked this morning, muffins made with ingredients you can actually pronounce, scones still tender from the oven. But real food, made without preservatives or shortcuts, behaves differently than what you find on a grocery store shelf. And that is a very good thing.

Here is how we store everything in our homestead kitchen, and how we recommend you do the same!!

Bread

Our bread items are made with real ingredients and no preservatives....whether you are bringing home a loaf of our brown bread, rolls, or a batch of our homemade hot dog rolls or hamburger buns, they will not last three weeks on your counter like store bought — and we would not have it any other way!!

At room temperature, stored in its bag, your bread will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days. But here is our favorite tip, especially if it is just two of you at the table:

Slice the entire loaf. Place it back in the bag, secure it closed, and pop it in the freezer. When you need a slice or two, pull them out and let them thaw slowly on the counter. The bread will not dry out, it toasts beautifully, makes wonderful paninis, and the most incredible French toast you have ever had. Your bread will keep in the freezer for up to 3-6 months.

And here is something worth knowing — freezing bread before eating it, (at least 24 hours), actually lowers its glycemic index, meaning it is less likely to spike your blood sugar. For anyone watching their glucose levels or managing diabetes, that is a tip worth keeping!!👩‍🍳

Muffins

Store muffins at room temperature in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb moisture. They will keep for 4 to 5 days this way. Refrigerating them will dry them out and cause them to go stale much quicker. Our muffins freeze beautifully in the freezer for up to 3-6 months. Many of our customers tell us they keep a stash in the freezer at all times!!

Simply pull one out when the craving strikes, microwave for 30 seconds to a minute, and it will taste like it just came out of our oven. For those of you without a microwave, lightly spritz the top of the muffin with a little water, wrap it in foil, and place it in the oven a 300*F for 8-10 minutes until warmed through. If your muffin is coming straight from the freezer, no need to spritz. Simply wrap in foil and warm at the same temperature for 10-12 minutes. We have had customers tell us they cannot even tell the difference!! Your A Simple Life muffins come packaged in a bag inside the box — once you open them, move them to an airtight container.

Scones

Scones are best enjoyed the day you receive them — warm, tender, and fresh!! They will keep beautifully at room temperature for up to 3 days stored in an airtight container to maintain moisture. Scones also freeze beautifully with just a little extra care. Wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap, (a double wrap is even better), and place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the freezer for 1-3 months at their best quality.

To reheat a frozen scone, preheat your oven to 350*F and place the scone on a parchment lined pan. Heat for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. Tent loosely with foil to prevent browning!

One important tip — please do not refrigerate your scones!! We know it is tempting, but the refrigerator will dry them out and rob them of that lovely tender texture!! Room temperature is always best for scones!! 👩‍🍳

Cookies

Our cookies are perfectly happy living in a container on your counter for up to a week — if they last that long!! But they are also absolutely wonderful frozen!!

Pop them in a freezer safe container or bag, freeze, and pull them out whenever you need a little something sweet. Once thawed you genuinely cannot tell they have been frozen — the texture stays perfect and they taste just as good as the day they were baked!! Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

One of our favorite customers keeps her cookies in the freezer — not just because they still taste wonderful after freezing, but because she knows her husband will never look there!! We are not saying that is a strategy... but we are not NOT saying it either!! 😄🍪

Granola

Your granola comes packaged and sealed, but once opened we recommend transferring it to a glass storage container or a mason jar with a lid. Glass is always best for storing pantry staples — it keeps things fresh longer and does not hold onto odors the way plastic can!!

Stored this way in your pantry your granola will keep fresh for 4 weeks!! And here is a bonus tip — granola freezes wonderfully for up to 6 months in an airtight container too!! If you stock up or want to keep it long term, the freezer is your friend!!

At A Simple Life Homestead Bakery everything is made in small batches with real ingredients and genuine care. We hope these tips help you enjoy every last bite!!

— Julie + Joe