Will whole wheat bread keep brown sugar from hardening?

[E_M]

Most tips say to use "bread"--will whole wheat work?

Also, how often do you have to replace the bread slice?

[E_M]

I know the best is an airtight glass container, but that's not feasible right now (don't ask). A quick and easy fix is a piece of bread in the bag (from which I have squeezed out all the air) or even storing it in the freezer. I've heard that works. (Right?)

[bushwickgirl]

Sure, the bread works very well as does apple; haven't tried the freezer method, too much stuff in my freezer anyway. I replace the bread when it gets dried out, maybe every month or more, but I go through brown sugar pretty quickly so I usually don't bother to check it. Air is the enemy of brown sugar, so I keep it very tightly wrapped, and use the MW to soften if it goes to that hard place. A good sized wedge of potato works also, no need to peel, and I use the potato trick for softening vanilla beans as well.

[nemo]

Or you can use a plastic lid from something like a mayonnaise jar, cardboard insert removed, with a folded-up piece of paper towel or napkin soaked in water placed in it. Nothing moist touches the sugar, and you can replace or rewet the paper towel. If you don't go through brown sugar very fast, you do need a humidifier. Ditto the glass container.

[Gio]

Bread, an apple slice or a strip of lemon will help keep brown sugar from hardening. I've always used a slice of fresh bread. But lately I find that the plastic bags the sugar comes in keeps the sugar softer longer. Here's a pretty good site for food storage:
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tool...

[greygarious]

ANYTHING with moisture will work, until it dries up. You can buy decorative round clay disks made for the purpose, which you soak in water. They cost a lot for what they are. Or you can buy a small clay flowerpot or drainage saucer and break it into a few large pieces. I soak them in water, pat dry, then add to my jars of brown sugar and dried fruit. Using metal-lidded glass jars helps, because plastic is gas-permeable.

[karykat]

Very timely advice. I have some hardening brown sugar and no microwave.

[cheesecake17]

I keep my brown sugar in an airtight glass canister. Stays in the pantry with other baking ingredients. It doesn't get hard..

[greygarious]

Forgot to mention that a wet cotton ball/wadded paper towel in a tiny jar or cup (like the dose-cap from a bottle of mouthwash) is a free, effective alternative.