What’s in Your Baking Pantry?

BAKING PANTRY ESSENTIALS

Have you ever started a recipe only to find that you are a cup of something vital short or missing something entirely? I have had many a chocolate chip cookie batch turn into raisin cookies because after I started, I discovered that someone had raided my chocolate chip stash! Or, you are in a hurry. You have creamed the butter and sugar, measured and sifted all dry ingredients for that favorite cake recipe only to discover that you are out of baking powder and no time to run to the corner store.  If that has ever happened to you, you might agree that a baking pantry could help solve some of those problems.

A baking pantry does not need to be large. A shelf in the kitchen cupboards will often do. I use large antique canning jars to store my baking essentials. I label them with computer labels so that I don’t have to guess about the contents. They’re clear so it’s easy to see when I’m running low. Another friend bought stacking storage containers that she has labelled. She says it’s the only way that she can stay organized in her pantry. Another bought a new large metal garbage can with a tight fitting lid. She keeps her flour and sugar in there in her cold room downstairs. This keeps her flour bug free and fresh.

During the year, grocery stores will often have specials on baking essentials. This week in my town, the grocery ads from one chain advertised small bags of flour and sugar at 40% below the regular price. What a great time to restock the pantry. This is also the time I like to try new brands. One word of caution: be sure to check the expiry date to see if they’re stale dated or if you will be able to use them up before they expire. Even canned milk and some types of flour have expiry dates, so be sure to check.

Below is the list I use for my pantry. You may want to add some favourite items as well. I’ve broken my list into 5 categories.

1. DRY INGREDIENTS PANTRY:

Flour – all-purpose, whole wheat, cake and pastry, bread flour

Sugar – white (granulated), confectioner’s (icing), brown, granular non sugar sweetener (if you use it)

Milk – evaporated skim milk, sweetened condensed milk, dried skim milk powder

Leaveners – baking powder, baking soda, yeast

Cornstarch

Oatmeal

Honey, seedless raspberry jam

2. HERBS & SPICES:

Ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, aniseed (whole and ground)

Cayenne

Sesame seeds

Cream of tartar

3. EXTRACTS:

Vanilla, almond, rum

Lemon, orange, maple

4. DRIED FRUIT & NUTS:

Dried cranberries, raisins, blueberries, cherries

Walnuts, pecans, almonds (whole, slivered, sliced)

5. FREEZER:

Phyllo pastry

Whipped topping

When I buy nuts in quantity, I put them in tightly sealed bags or containers in the freezer to maintain freshness.

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I hope that you have found this pantry list useful. What do you have in your pantry that you couldn’t be without? Leave your suggestion for us all below.

Tags: baking pantry

Category: Baking Tips