December 19, 2010 - 4:58am
Freezing French Bread?
Hi all i am new to the forum and looking for some advice on bread. It might sound like a strange question but will fresh French bread be ok to freeze? Only reason i ask is that we want fresh bread on Christmas Day, therefore i was going to get some French sticks and Pain de Campagne Longue or Batards, etc... Will it be fairly fresh if i were to put it in the freezer as soon as i got back from the shop, and then used on Christmas Day? I would buy part baked ones, however, Ive never seen part baked French Sticks or the Pain de Campagne Longue or Batards, etc... I have only seen part baked baguettes and ciabattas, which i dont really want. Any help or advice is great. Thanks all.
Share
I freeze all kinds of bread all the time. You don't have to, but I cut them into large pieces (the size you might eat in one sitting) and freeze them in plastic freezer bags or a plastic container. I reheat at 400ºF for 5-9 minutes (you have to experiment a bit, each bread will be different). The bread reheated this way is good while warm but will get dry and hard fast. I have read about reheating wrapped in aluminum foil. That might keep the moisture in and help keep the bread edible longer but I've never felt the need because I reheat just enough to eat right away.
I know that others just leave the bread out at room temperature for a while before serving but I can't speak to the timing or the bread's lasting qualities since I've never done this.
Thanks again Silkenpaw - i appreciate your help!