We all love muffins. Soft, with an airy texture, and extremely delicious, this dessert belongs to the most popular sweets.
Since cupcakes are mostly made of white flour, they tend to spoil pretty fast and people often wonder how to keep muffins fresh.
Today, we will explain what to do to extend the lifespan of your favorite treat and will share the handy muffin storage tips!
How Long Do Muffins Last?
When it comes to food storage, we are all concerned about its lifespan and durability.
As for muffins, since they are mostly made of the white flour with some eggs and butter, they have a rather moist and airy texture which makes this dessert predisposed to fast hardening if it is stored improperly.
How long are muffins good for?
It hangs upon where we keep our cupcakes and how we pack them.
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Of course, these are not all questions that occur.
How long do homemade muffins last? We perfectly know that homemade foodstuff tends to spoil faster since it doesn’t contain all those preservatives that the store-bought products have.
Well, if we leave out homemade cupcakes unrefrigerated, they won’t last more than two days but if we chill them, then it will be possible to enjoy this dessert within a whole week!
How long do store-bought muffins last? Normally, their lifespan doesn’t cover more than seven days but we bet that, if they are packed properly, they can be edible a bit past the expiry date.
If muffins can remain fresh for quite a long time, why do they sometimes become dry after a day or two of storage? That’s all because of the mistakes we do when keeping them.
That is why it is so important to know how to store muffins to keep them fresh.
How to Store Muffins
You don’t have to learn for years to become a storage guru! Storing muffins is in fact very simple and requires just a few easy steps to take.
No matter whether we’re talking about the homemade or store-bought foodstuff, a muffin stays fresher longer if it’s tightly packed.
Air is the worst enemy of this dessert making it harden and dry.
Proper storage is a must when it comes to muffins since it is a guarantee of their long shelf life and good quality. However, not everyone is aware of how exactly we shall keep them to make these delicious baked goods last longer.
This is why we would like to introduce you to the step-by-step guide regarding muffin storage. With it in mind, you will know exactly what and how to do to keep them fresh like on the day they were baked.
Start with letting your muffins cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack after you take them out of the oven. This will prevent condensation and sogginess.
- Take an airtight container and line it with a paper towel.
- lace your cooled muffins in the container, on top of paper towels in a single layer.
- Place an extra layer of paper towels on top of muffins.
- Seal the lid and store at room temperature.
We would not recommend you refrigerate homemade muffins unless it’s the only option you have because, when refrigerated, they will have their texture and flavor altered.
To protect cupcakes, do the following:
- Cover your homemade muffins with a plastic wrap or foil
- For the store-bought ones, remove them to the packet and seal tightly
- Should muffins be refrigerated, put them into a packet lined with a paper napkin, and always place them in one layer covered with another paper napkin. A plastic tank with a tight lid will also work well.
Another question that rises up when it comes to storage is how to keep muffins fresh overnight.
If you are going to consume them the next day or the day after, then just wrap the cupcakes tightly in a plastic wrap/foil and leave on the counter. It will allow keeping cupcakes fresh overnight.
As for where to store cupcakes overnight, your kitchen counter is fine but, if you want to be 100% sure that muffins will survive the night, toss them to the fridge.
Storage Options to Avoid
Muffins are very tender and delicate, which is why you need to be especially careful when choosing a storage option for them! No matter whether they are made by yourself or bought in the local grocery store, these puffy yummies require proper storage conditions in order to remain soft and delicious longer.
But what do many of us usually do instead?! We buy (or make) muffins, and then we just leave them on the counter exposed to light and air from all around! Sometimes we don’t even cover them and still hope that our cupcakes will remain fresh after a couple of days. So naive!
This is why, to help you to avoid a scenario when freshly made muffins become hard like a stone because of improper storage, we suggest you avoid the following storage methods (or shall we say mistakes?).
If you do your best and never do the following things to your muffins, these delicious bits will surely remain fresh much longer.
- Never leave your muffins, homemade or store-bought, uncovered. They will harden because of the exposure to air.
- Avoid leaving muffins in direct sunlight or close to the heating objects since they will get dry very fast.
- Don’t put your muffins that have just been taken out of the oven into the fridge. Let them cool down, otherwise, they will get soggy.
- Avoid wrapping them in plastic wrap since it can’t absorb the excess moisture from the muffin thus making it turn soggy.
- Never store muffins in a deep freezer! It will ruin their texture and taste.
- Never seal your muffins in airtight containers without putting paper towels there as well.
These simple rules will help you to avoid the most common and silly mistakes that we tend to make when storing muffins at home. If you adhere to these recommendations, be sure to always enjoy the softest and the most delicious muffins one ever tasted!
How Long Do Homemade Muffins Stay Fresh?
When we buy muffins in a store, we have no questions regarding their shelf life since everything we need to know is indicated on the package.
However, if you prefer enjoying homemade baked goodies, you might want to make muffins yourself! But then, here is the question: how long will such muffins remain fresh? Because now there is no best-by date!
Relax and don’t fuss! In fact, it is rather simple to figure out how much time your homemade yummies will stay soft and tasty. And since there are several storage options and thus several options for the storage time, we suggest you check out the chart below:
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As you can see, it is best to keep your home baked muffins frozen, but that’s only if you really made a lot! And again, consider that they will last the indicated period of time only if you follow the basic storage recommendations!
How to Freeze Muffins
For those who are planning to store muffins much longer, the best way is to freeze muffins. Fortunately, they are easily exposed to frost.
Just wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place into the frost-resistant packet and preserve.
How long can you freeze muffins? Normally, the dessert will still be edible after two months and even longer.
What Do Muffins Look Like When They Are Bad?
Unfortunately, muffins get spoiled easily and it is important to know what to do to define the spoilage.
- mold
- hard texture
- dryness
- slimy fruit fillings
These are all the signs of spoilage that show the muffins must be discarded. Be reasonable and keep an eye on your products. The second you notice any of these symptoms, throw the spoiled foodstuff away.
How to Keep Muffins Moist
Most people meet the frequent problem with muffins and it’s the attempt to keep them moist longer.
Indeed, cupcakes tend to dry fast enough, and if your goal is to have soggy muffins, we advise you to do the following:
- always store them tightly closed in a packet or a tank to prevent any air exposure
- never poot muffins in two or more layers on top of each other since it will make the moist condensate and mold will appear faster
- try to lay a paper napkin into the storage tank. Like this, the excess moisture will be absorbed by the paper and muffins will stay soft longer
Keep the packet or tank with the cupcakes in a bread box or cupboard, and remember that any sources of heat must be removed from this place.
[wp-faq-schema title=”Frequently Asked Questions”]
Hey! I’ve recently bought a packet of craft cupcakes but today I saw they’re too moist. Do you know what to do with soggy muffins? Can I dry them somehow? They smell ok but just too wet.
Hello! I would advise you to leave them on the counter uncovered for a while and see what will happen. I bet they will get dryer soon, you just need to catch that moment!
What is wrong with store-bought muffins? Whenever I buy them they turn stone-hard so fast! And they don’t taste like homemade ones. Does anyone know what’s the problem? Thanks!
Hi there! Well, I stopped buying them very long ago. In fact, these ones can be even harmful! They have preservatives and processed sugars and fats that are EXTREMELY bad for people. Don’t fuss about them, just stop buying, my advice.
Hello! Please help me, guys! I have so many muffins left after my Birthday! They’re homemade and still fresh, I don’t want to throw away so the plan is to keep them. How do you keep muffins fresh for a week? Any ideas?
The optimal way is to chill them. Just put the leftover cupcakes into the packet or a tank with a tight lid, seal, and refrigerate. Place them in one layer and put a paper napkin on the bottom of the tank to avoid molding.
How long do packaged muffins last? Can I trust the printed date?
Normally, pre-packed cupcakes expire after a week of storage, however, due to the presence of the preservatives, they may still be ok a few days past the expiry term.
Good day to everyone! A piece of advice is needed. How long will homemade muffins stay fresh? Thanks!
Freshly baked, they will remain edible for 1-2 days at most if not refrigerated. When chilled, such muffins will extend the lifespan to seven days easily.
Please tell me where to store cupcakes overnight? I need them to last until tomorrow! Thank you all so much!
Hey!
I guess it’s ok to leave them in a bread box or cupboard if they were made today. If they’re older, than you’d better refrigerate them.
I respectfully disagree with this article. I make muffins all the time and they stay perfectly moist and delicious on the counter at room temperature for 5 days in a glass container with a lid.
Hi Tea) Maybe you are living in a moist climate. If you live somewhere in Norway or maybe in the South where the climate is very dry. You would protect your muffins better? What do you think?)
How to keep muffins fresh after baking? I tried to keep them in a tin box, in a bread box, in paper packets – nothing works well enough! They dry way too soon. I follow the recipe precisely so there’s no mistake with the ingredients or something.
Perhaps you are right and you choose the wrong storage way or container. I usually keep my homemade muffins in airtight tanks. I place a paper towel to the bottom, then line muffins on top, and then place another paper towel over them. Like this, the towels absorb the excess moisture preventing muffins from getting soggy, and an airtight container keeps them safe from drying. Try it, I’m sure you will enjoy the effect!
Does anyone know how to keep bran muffins fresh? I want to try this sort of flour but I don’t know how to store such baked goodies correctly.
I usually keep them tightly sealed in the airtight container, and also I place two paper towels into it. One to the bottom under the muffins and another on top of them. Like this, the yummies remain fresh and soft but not soggy.
How to store costco muffins? I tried keeping them on the counter but that didn’t work and they dried way too fast. Fridge is actually a good option, but as for me, it makes muffins more…wet or soggy…Don’t even know how to call that! Maybe there is a way of keeping them long and not turning into a mess?
Hey there! Did you try to freeze them? I do it all the time and as for me, this is the best what you can do to keep costcos yummy! As for the fridge, it does change the texture of muffins so no wonder you always end up with soggy goodies.
What is the best way to store homemade muffins? What shall I do to make them last more than a couple of days?
I’d say the best way is to keep them in a bread box or in a lidded airtight container. Like this, your muffins will last for three days for sure. But if you’re looking for a more extended storage term, then freeze them. Frozen muffins will stay fresh for up to three months.
I’m looking for the optimal way of keeping freshly baked or bought muffins fresh as long as possible. And I thought of freezing recently. Can you freeze fresh muffins? Did any of you try this method? If you did, then how did it work?
Basically, yes, fresh muffins can be frozen. But first you have to cool them down completely by leaving them on a wire rack. If you skip that step and freeze muffins while they’re still warm, they’ll get soggy and develop freezer burns.
How to keep store bought muffins fresh? No matter where I store them, they always turn dry after a day or two! I already tried the bread box and counter storage. Maybe, I miss some other methods?
I’d say you should freeze them but this approach is good for the really long term storage! If you are going to eat your muffins within 2 or 3 days after you bought them, it’s ok if you leave them in the airtight container or in a bread box. Just remember to lay a paper towel into the box or the tank and cover the muffins with another towel. It will prevent them from drying and getting soggy.