How to cut a crumbly baked item (e.g. cereal bar) without it disintegrating?
When baking something which needs to bind - like a (British) flapjack / cereal bar - I have mixed results when it comes to cutting it, even if I repeat the same recipe. Sometimes it binds really well, sometimes it's a crumbly mess, especially after cutting.
Apart from the obvious: a) pressing down hard and evenly before putting it in the oven and b) using enough binding agent (honey / syrup / fat), what other tricks are there?
e.g. Is it better to cut hot, warm or cold? Leaving it to go cold in its tray seems to work best, but my instinct and habit with all baking is try and get the item out of its tin/tray immediately and let it cool on a rack.
Best Answer
I suggest that you try to go against your habit! :) Cereal bars and the like don't really need to cool on a rack: just put the baking tray in your fridge when you're done baking the bars. That way they'll set much better, as the heated (and thus very soft) sugary components can cool down and firm up. You will find that it's much easier to cut the bars once they've been in the fridge for a while. It also helps a lot to use a sharp and wet knife when cutting. That way you will slide through the bars more easily and the bars won't stick to the blade of the knife.
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How do you keep granola bars from crumbling?
How to Keep Homemade Granola Bars From Falling ApartHow do you cut cereal bars?
Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the bars while they are still in the pan, carefully remove and cool on a wire rack. The granola bars will keep up to a week when wrapped individually with plastic wrap.How do you cut flapjacks?
Run a knife round the edge to release the flapjack, leave for 5 minutes, then mark into bars or squares. Leave in the tin until nearly cold before cutting into pieces and removing to a wire rack. The flapjacks will keep in an airtight tin for up to 10 days.How do you store homemade granola bars?
The granola bars will keep well stored in an airtight container or plastic ziploc bag on the counter for up to 1 week with pieces of parchment or waxed paper between layers to keep them from sticking, or wrap them individually in parchment or waxed paper and keep them in the freezer in a large ziploc bag for up to 2 ...How to Cut Pie Without Making a Crumbly Mess
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Answer 2
Another option is to pre-cut the bars, before baking. You will still need to cut after, but the ingredients will have been cut through, making it easier and far less likely to crumble.
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