Do you love homemade baked goods like breads, cookies, cakes, and pies but aren’t sure that you can afford to make them?
Actually, baking goodies yourself is typically cheaper than buying store-bought versions, plus they taste better. 😉
Today, I have some tips on how to bake on a budget that will help you save money, and, in some cases, time as well. Let’s take a look at what they are.
How to Bake on a Budget
Here’s how you can save money on baking.
Buy in bulk.
Get ingredients like cocoa powder, rolled oats, flour, sugar, nuts and spices in bulk. These items are easy to store and you’ll have them on hand the next time you want to make your favorite cake.
Keep an eye out for sales.
Watch for sales at your local grocery store or Walmart. Also, Christmas can be the best time for buying some baked goods because they are frequently marked down at this time of year. Try to plan ahead for those seasonal deep discounts and you’ll have baking supplies for the rest of the year.
Don’t be afraid to use things that are about to spoil.
Do you have some bananas that are getting overripe? Use them in some banana bread. Do you have leftover cooked rice? Turn it into rice pudding. Even leftover mashed potatoes can be used to make homemade bread.
Use what’s in your pantry.
Just the basics from your pantry can be transformed into a great baked good or sweet treat. Peanut butter, for example, can be used in homemade granola or cookies. Do you have some canned pineapple and some raw carrots? Use them to make a Pineapple carrot cake.
Keep recipes simple.
Obviously, the fewer ingredients you use, the less you spend. And you don’t always have to get fancy with your cake and cookie recipes. Basic chocolate chip cookies can be just as tasty as more elaborate versions. So keep it simple whenever possible.
Use substitutions.
If you don’t have everything you need for a recipe, you can sometimes use substitutions for certain ingredients. For example, if you don’t have buttermilk for a recipe, just make your own by pouring a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in a cup of regular milk. Be sure to let it sit for a few minutes. Plain yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream. Joy of Baking has a list of substitutions here.
Save energy.
You can save energy (and time) by baking in bulk and freezing the goodies for later. The plus side to this method is that when you need some cookies for a field trip or some other event, all you’ll have to do is dig them out of your freezer.
Use seasonal foods.
You can often get produce items at a better price when they are in season. During the fall, for example, you can buy items like apples and pumpkins at a discount for your baking. In the summer, fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and cherries are cheaper. Plan your baked goods around those types of foods and you’ll save a pretty penny. (Or ugly one if that is all you have in your purse.)
So you see, it can be pretty easy to bake on a budget. Not to mention the fact that if you involve your kids in the shopping and cooking, it becomes a set of learning experiences as well. 😉
By the way, if you want to teach your children to cook, you might want to check out my post about our teaching cookbook. This book has become a family favorite!
Many blessings,
