Question: Why do you rub hot fresh bread with "grease"
By: Rich Grant
Published: December 30, 2011

Hi, my Mom made fresh home made bread all the time. Right when she took it out of the oven she would rub the top of the loaf with a little lard or butter. I asked her why and she said she didn't know except that HER mother always did. Does anyone know why some bakers rub the top of a loaf of bread with grease?  Thanks

Answers:
Alisa Escanlar

Happy New Year Rich, I had an aunt who owned a small bakeshop and I remember she mentioned that rubbing a thin coat of butter or lard helps soften the bread crust and the bread itself so it wont crumble easily when you slice it. But it still depends on how much butter, sugar, or yeast you will use in your bread recipe. Hope this helps.