Thrifty Thursday - Shelf Life of Baking Ingredients

Fall and winter are my favorite times of year to bake.  

A warm kitchen and yummy aromas wafting from the oven give me such pleasure.  Here are some tips on the shelf life of some main baking ingredients.   They should also be stored in either glass jars, air tight containers or tins to extend their shelf life.

While the temperature of your home, where you store them (i.e. a dark cabinet vs. an open shelf) and other variables can all play a role, these are some general ideas and estimates to rely on to give you some rough guidelines.

Baking Ingredients Shelf Life Guide

Cooking Oil Shelf Life– Cooking oil will last about a year if it has not been opened and 1-3 months if it has been opened.

Shortening Shelf Life– Shortening lasts longer than oils do as far as their shelf life. Unopened shortening will stay good for about 2 years while opened shortening will last about a year.

Peanut Butter Shelf Life– Peanut butter has a shelf life of 6-9 months.

Brown Sugar Shelf Life– Brown sugar can be stored up to 6 months from the date you open it as long as it is stored in an airtight container. If you end up with hardened brown sugar, you can rescue it by placing a dampened piece of paper towel and draping  it over the edge of the sugar container and close the lid.  Leave for a few hours and it will soften.

Molasses Shelf Life– Molasses will stay good for 2 years if not opened and 6 months if opened.

Corn Syrup Shelf Life– Corn syrup is an ingredient that can last indefinitely whether unopened or opened.

Granulated Sugar Shelf Life– While granulated sugar may harden into clumps if not stored in an airtight container, it will remain good indefinitely whether unopened or opened. The same holds true for sugar cubes, raw sugar and powdered sugar.

Premade Mixes Shelf Life– You can store pie crust mixes for 6 months, frosting mixes for 8 months, cake mixes for 6-9 months and biscuit, muffin and brownie mixes for 9 months.

Baking Soda and Baking Powder Shelf Life– Baking soda and baking powder will last indefinitely whether unopened or opened and 6 months if opened.

Honey Shelf Life– Honey has a shelf life of 2 years if not opened and 6-8 months if opened. If you find your honey has crystalized, place jar in a pot of warm water, set heat to medium-low and stir until crystals dissolve. ...  or for a Quick Fix: You can also heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir well, allow to cool for 20 seconds then heat again for 30 seconds (if there are still granules needing to be dissolved).

Non-fat Dry Milk Shelf Life– Non-fat dry milk can last 6 months if unopened and 3 months if opened.

Flour Shelf Life– White and whole wheat flour will stay good for 6-8 months whether unopened or opened as long as it is kept in an airtight container

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