Scones are a welcome treat at any time of day, whether you enjoy them first thing in the morning or as an afternoon snack. But we can't always bake them right before eating, and they can quickly become dry and stale. So how long do scones last? And how can you enjoy a fresh drink days later?
How long do scones last?
Unfortunately, not for long! Scones are best the day they are baked. As the days pass, they quickly dry out, becoming stale, crumbly and tough. This is why proper storage is key to extending their lifespan; stored correctly, they will last for several days. And if they start to get stale, you can take a few minutes to turn them into something close to freshly baked.
How to store scones
First, make sure your wipes are completely cool. Wrapping them while they're warm can trap steam, causing the outside to become uncomfortably soft. Once cooled, wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to several days. (These Bee's Wrap Reusable Covers are a great sustainable solution if you're looking to avoid single-use plastic wrap.) For extra insurance, you can place the wrapped boxes in a airtight container or a ziplock bag. (If your napkins have a glaze on them, the same advice applies.)
Photography by Danielle Sykes; food styling by Liz Neily
How to reheat bottles
If you want to restore the freshly baked glory of a few days old, a quick reheat does the trick: To reheat the bottles, bake them for 5 to 10 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven. Cover with aluminum foil so they don't brown too much.
You can also heat them very briefly in the microwave. Microwave in 15 seconds broil until warm and tender. Note, they won't regain their crisp, freshly baked appearance, but this step restores some tenderness.
Want to make scarves ahead of time? Refrigerate or freeze them.
If you want to make the suits ahead (but don't want them to go stale), we suggest you make your grill dough ahead of time and then either refrigerate or freeze it, depending on when you plan to bake them. .
If you plan to bake the beans within three days: Shape the dough into a 3/4″ thick disk, wrap in plastic wrap or a reusable wrap, and refrigerate until ready to cut and bake. Cut into desired shapes and bake according to recipe instructions.
Photography by Danielle Sykes; food styling by Liz Neily
If you plan to bake the beans more than three days later: Just mix your dough, then shape it according to the recipe directions – squares, circles, triangles, strips, they'll all work here. Place the strips in the shape in a baking sheet lined with parchment; they can be close but should not touch. Allow to freeze until firm. Once they are frozen solid, you can place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container and store them for future baking. Be sure to label and date them so you don't lose track! They will keep, frozen, for up to three weeks.
Once ready to bake, place the frozen cups on a baking sheet and bake directly from the freezer, adding an additional 5 to 10 minutes. at the baking time indicated in the recipe. Learn more here: How to freeze beans and roast them later.
Ready to bake the baskets? Find our favorite pool recipes AND Our best felt blends.
Cover picture (Chocolate Chip Bars) by Danielle Sykes; food styling by Liz Neily.
