Keeping Baked Goods Fresh

Baked goods vary. Yeast breads, bagels, and their cousins go stale faster in the refrigerator (never store yeast products in the fridge) and slowest in the freezer.

They stay reasonably fresh at room temperatures. That's why our great-grandmothers had bread boxes on their counter tops.

Here's a tip: Should your loaf of yeast bread get stale, refresh it in a medium oven (350 degrees F.) for 10 minutes; five minutes for rolls. Sprinkle it with a little water before you put it in the oven to replenish lost moisture. They emerge warm and crusty -- almost like new. (No, it won't work in a microwave.)

Most nonyeasty baked goods store well on the counter if tightly wrapped to prevent drying out, unless they have an icing that requires refrigeration.

Many baked goods freeze well and taste perfectly fresh after defrosting.