How To Make The Perfect Slice Of Toast

Some Tips For Toast Making

1. Choosing The Right Bread

The most obvious place to start with your slice of toast is, of course, the bread.

You might be tempted to go for a fresh loaf, something like a farmhouse or a seeded batch freshly bought from the grocery shop. But here’s the thing! Two-day old sliced bread makes excellent toast! Honestly, it’s the way to go! Toasting stale bread adds just the right amount of “crunch factor.” Something that’s arguably essential when it comes to producing the perfect slice of toast! The butter doesn’t absorb too quickly, and if you leave it for a few seconds, it doesn’t take on that soggy texture either.

A nice sourdough can make a great slice, too, as well as artisanal loaves of bread with rye, oats, and other types of multi-grains and seeds. Seriously, is there anything more pleasurable than waking up to the taste, not to mention the smell of a freshly toasted slice of home batch baked bread? Literally, heaven, filling the house with delicious aromas. Even better still if you also happen to be brewing a pot of freshly ground barista-style coffee!

2. Let’s Talk About The Toasting Method!

A conventional toaster should do the job. These days you’re spoilt for choice no matter what shade of toast is your preference. Modern toasters feature added extras like built-in timers so that you can leave your toast for exactly the pre-requisite amount of time to deliver the perfect colored slice every time. They should also feature easy to remove crumb collection trays, ensuring that cleaning up is hassle-free.

But that can be a bit boring, not to mention, easy! What if you’re feeling a bit more “experimental” and feel like going to town with your toast? Maybe you’re looking to create that Artisan bakery-style at home? Then listen up as we have a couple of other toasting suggestions!

Have you tried using a skillet? Perfect if you want to enjoy eggie- bread or French-style toast. Simply delicious with maple syrup and crispy rashers of bacon.

Or what about using that toaster oven? They’re far more versatile than you might imagine. It’s also an excellent idea if you have all the family settled down for a rare treat at breakfast time.

Here’s a couple of tips for preparing the perfect slice of toast with either of these methods.

The Pan – Do not oil or butter the pan. Let it heat up, and lay the bread in. Leave it for about three minutes, or until toasted to your satisfaction. Flip it and repeat.
The Toaster Oven – Turn on your toaster oven as per manufacturer’s direction, and pop in your bread. Keep an eye on it, as toast can quickly burn this way!

3. Choosing The Ideal Spread To Accompany Your Slice

The perfect amount of butter, per square inch of toast, is about half a gram (0.5g). Add more, or less, as you desire. This is your toast, after all! Some people prefer to cover their slice from edge to edge with uniform precision.

Butter might not be to everyone’s palate, especially those among you struggling with a dairy intolerance. In which case, opt for an olive-based spread or one of the popular plant-based margarine substitutes. While there is no simpler or tastier treat than a slice of toast, dripping in butter, if you’re watching your cholesterol or your waistline, there are plenty of delicious alternatives.

Whichever butter you decide upon, a teaspoon of honey drizzled on the perfect slice of toast while it’s still warm provides a fantastic immune-boosting topping.

4. Consider These Other Toppings

Now that we have covered the bread, the toasting, and the butter, we can explore additional toppings. Here are some of our favorite condiments.

Peanut Butter – Sweet, delicious, creamy, or indeed crunchy! If you added honey to your regular butter, the clash of sweetness and nuttiness will wake you up just as well as your fifth cup of coffee.
Nut Butter – Almond butter, hazelnut butter, and brazil nut butter are all excellent alternatives. Each offers a unique texture and flavor.
Jam – Sweet and fruity, a good berry-based jam makes the perfect quick cheat of a morning.
Marmalade – The citrusy cousin to a jam, this is the perfect accompaniment to counter the salty taste of butter. The added peel to most marmalades provides texture.

Other fantastic additions to that piece of perfectly toasted bread include chocolate spread and also cream cheese, which goes particularly well with a toasted bagel.

So there you have it. Set yourself up for the day ahead and enjoy the perfect slice of toast every time.

Sources:

A Quest for the Perfect Piece of Toast – Johns Hopkins University
How to Make the Perfect Piece of Toast, According to Science – Reader’s Digest