BUTTER CROUTONS

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MAKES about 3 cups

TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes

Either fresh or stale bread can be used in this recipe, although stale bread is easier to cut and crisps more quickly in the oven. Croutons can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

6	slices hearty white sandwich bread, crusts removed, cut into ½-inch pieces
3	tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
	Salt and pepper

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Toss bread cubes and butter together in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Spread cubes onto rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes, tossing occasionally. Let cool and serve.

VARIATIONS

GARLIC CROUTONS

Add 1 minced garlic clove to melted butter before tossing with bread cubes.

CINNAMON-SUGAR CROUTONS

These croutons go well with any slightly sweet pureed vegetable soup such as our Eleventh-Hour Butternut Squash Soup.

Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon. Toss buttered bread cubes with sugar mixture before baking. Omit pepper.