Preserve bread loaves and rolls for a decorative display or centrepiece that lasts for months. Moisture inside the bread should be removed to reduce the chances of mould and extend the usefulness of your decoration. Selecting several types of bread with a variety of grains, colours, shapes and sizes, will help create a display with a balanced look. Keep breads looking golden brown and appetizing by sealing them in a shiny see-through layer of varnish.

Place bread loaves or rolls in a microwave oven for 20-second intervals on high power until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

  • Preserve bread loaves and rolls for a decorative display or centrepiece that lasts for months.
  • Place bread loaves or rolls in a microwave oven for 20-second intervals on high power until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Open a small can of clear-coat semigloss polyurethane varnish by prying off the lid with the head of a standard screwdriver.

Stir the polyurethane varnish thoroughly with a stir stick before dipping in the bristles of a wide paint brush.

Coat one side of the bread completely with the polyurethane varnish and set it on the uncoated side to dry for 30 minutes to an hour.

Turn the bread over and coat the rest of the loaf with the polyurethane varnish. Again, let it dry for 30 minutes to an hour.

Continue adding polyurethane varnish until you have given each piece of bread four or more coats.

TIP

Varnish loaves are very lightweight and may need to be glued into a basket or onto something heavy to keep them in place.

WARNING

Sliced bread is porous, which makes it difficult to get a complete varnish seal and prevent mould growth.