Reader Q&A: How Can I Save on Baking Ingredients?

Danielle sent this question yesterday:
Three of my friends and I are baking and blogging our way through a cookie cookbook (it’s co-authored by one friend’s mom). We are on a baking rotation so we blog every day about a cookie we bake from the book; therefore, each of us bakes every fourth day through the end of April . . . As you can imagine we are going through lots of basic baking ingredients. I am wondering if you have any tips how to obtain these ingredients at low prices. I don’t see many coupons for sugar, flour, extracts, shortening and nuts. I saw your comment that you bake a lot and wonder if you have any suggestions where to catch a great deal? Are the warehouse stores the best or are there coupons out there? Appreciate any tips!

 
Here are a few suggestions I have for Danielle (or others who use a lot of baking staples):

• WAREHOUSE STORES
  Begin by recording some prices from Sam’s Club or Costco (wherever you or a friend have a membership). You’re likely to find great prices on flour (in 25 lb bags) and sugar there, but you’ll want to calculate the cost per pound to be sure. Chocolate chips, nuts, and vanilla are also available in bulk at reasonable prices. Don’t forget to peek in Gordon Food Service (GFS), which doesn’t require a membership, but offers bulk pricing on similar ingredients.

• ALDI and other STORE BRANDS
  Aldi has recently lowered their prices on many baking staples (flour is currently $1.69 for a 5 lb bag, for example). Other store brand prices may be comparable and you should find the quality to be no different. Aldi, especially, offers a Double Back Guarantee – so it never hurts to try.

• STOCK UP DURING HOLIDAY SALES
  Ingredients like baking nuts and chocolate chips rarely go on sale – and when they do, it’s during baking seasons (like Christmas and Easter). If you know you plan to use those ingredients, stock up when you can get them at their lowest. Since I know I use flour, sugar, brown sugar and chocolate chips often, I make sure that I have extras waiting in the wings – all purchased at the best possible prices.

• BULK FOOD STORES
  If you plan on using spices, seasonings or dried fruits in small amounts (and you don’t already have them in your cupboard), I recommend trying a bulk food store. You can purchase only what you need – and you won’t be faced with the remains of an entire jar of something you’ll never use again. In the Macomb area, try Bulk Food Marketplace in Clinton Township or St. Clair Shores. (Warning: it’s easy to go a little overboard in a fun bulk food store, so be sure to shop with restraint!)

• THINK OUTSIDE THE STORE
  For specialty ingredients that you’ll want in large amounts, don’t forget Amazon or other online vendors. For example, I found myself using quite a bit of peppermint extract in baking – those tiny bottles cost more than $4 and lasted only a few recipes! I found large bottles at Amazon at a MUCH better price per ounce.

And those are only a few suggestions. Remember to shop around for the best overall unit prices and to be creative with where you find them! But of course, I don’t have all the answers! What are YOUR best ideas for saving on ingredients? Please share in the comments below!

Note: Because I couldn’t resist, I begged Danielle to share the blog address so we could take a peek at the fun they were having! You’ll find their baking blog here (along with the tempting pictures in this post and the stories behind their adventures): It’s All About Friends…and the Cookies!