Holiday Food/Baking sales--are you stocking up?

**SaucyCranberry** · 12-15-2008, 08:59 PM

Hey everyone,

As I look through the grocery store fliers and coupons this week I notice a lot of foods that are typical for holiday baking/meals are pretty decent prices right now. (Eggs, potatoes, baking supplies).

Are you all going to stock up while the prices are down? I know on top of the Christmas budget, it's not the best time of year, but here is my plan for keeping and using everything.

*QUESTION* for those who make homemade hash browns, is there a way to keep the shredded potatoes from looking gray if you freeze them? Potatoes--make large batches of mashed potatoes (hubby and kids inhale them like air, LOL) and freeze them in dinner-sized portions. .

Eggs--make large batches of omlets and scrambled eggs also for freezer, quick breakfasts and easy dinners. Hard boil a dozen for lunches

Boxed stuffing mix and jarred gravy--not the yummiest, but I'll keep a few on hand for quick meals.

Baking supplies--I have some coupons for dry yeast that combined with sales will make them nearly free. I don't use it a lot but will buy a few. Also will put any extra flour and sugar in plastic cannisters to keep fresh until I can use them.

Philly cream cheese. It keeps unopened for several months--not sure about freezing, if anyone has please let me know how that turned out. I use maybe one brick a month for baking through the year, and figure even if I save $1.50 on 12 bricks that's $18 I'll save in the next 12 months just on cream cheese. (And I won't realize I'm out at the last minute, LOL).

I'd love other ideas and suggestions and to hear what you all might be doing with any prices.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-15-2008, 09:40 PM

Definitely if I see some good sales. I haven't seen too many around here yet. Hoping that will change this week.

**cab54** · 12-16-2008, 08:21 AM

I got a few things---stuff I had a coupon + a sale on.

Flour
Vanilla
Yeast
Chocolate chips

**madhen** · 12-16-2008, 08:25 AM

I have been a baking fool, so I took advantage of all the cookie baking sales. I noticed some really deep discounts on chocolate chips and such, and I asked the clerk at the store about it. She says not a lot of people are baking this year, so they are trying to discount all the stuff to move it off the shelves. Fine by me!

I didn't really NEED four bags of mini-marshmallows, but at 4/$1, I'll figure out SOMETHING to do with them!! My cupboards are stuffed with various baking chips and my fridge is stuffed with butter and cream cheese. I have two industrial sized bags (flour and sugar) sitting on the floor of my kitchen. I will use up as much as I can this year, and stick the rest in the downstairs fridge/freezer for next year.

**rachelj** · 12-16-2008, 12:57 PM

I plan on getting a couple of hams. I will cook one for (one of my) Christmas dinner and freeze the other.

I like buying crescent rolls.
canned pumpkin
Frenchs fried onions
oranges
crackers
and of course the baking supplies.

Oh, yes you can freeze cream cheese. The consistency does change tho, so I would only use it that way for making casseroles or the like.

**JerryG** · 12-16-2008, 01:10 PM

I will be stocking up with an eye on expiration dates. I'm out of quite a few spices so it's nice to see those going on sales.

I do freeze cream cheese as well. I keep it in the original packaging. The consistency changes slightly so I do not use it for dips but for baking.

Happy baking!

**SammeyG** · 12-16-2008, 02:44 PM

Noticed some sales on baking stuff. But since theres is really only three of us I see no need to buy any extra. Plus we are very limited on our frezer space at the moment. I am going to try to make homemade cookies and noodles. So really the only thing that i will need is the basics on thoses.

**Rebookie** · 12-16-2008, 02:49 PM

I am trying to stockpile as much as I can.

**angelbumpkin** · 12-16-2008, 05:23 PM

I have doing a little stocking up on the baking items. I am doing alot of bake goods as gifts this year.

**Debbie-cat** · 12-16-2008, 05:33 PM

I've stockpiled alot in the baking section but have been using it up as fast as I am buying it.

I would have loved to get a special on marshmellows like you did madhen. My DS loves rice crispie squares.

**LuvMyHubby** · 12-16-2008, 06:39 PM

I've seen some stuff less expensive than usual but I only picked up what I needed to bake cookies with, I didn't see anything that is screaming stockpile. Ugh, maybe I need to adjust my idea of a good deal.

**anna021** · 12-16-2008, 07:54 PM

I always keep 5 -5pound bags of flour in the freezer and usually at least 2-3- 5pound bags of sugar, my yeast I buy at Sams, you can't beat 2 lbs. for under 4 dollars. I use to buy canned pumpkin, but found I can get 10-12 cups from a med sized pumpkin, much cheaper than almost 2.00 for 16oz can. Last week around here the ingredients for lasagna was cheap, so I brought 2 16oz mozzarella 2/5 and a 48oz Ricotta for 3.99, lasagna noodles were .99. So I know what I'm making over the holidays.