Bake on a Budget: Delicious Treats Without Breaking the Bank | AbsoluteBlack

Baking doesn’t have to break the bank! With a few pantry staples and some creativity, you can enjoy delicious treats that are both easy and affordable. Here are some of the best budget-friendly recipes for your next baking session:

1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies (Budget-Friendly Version)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened (or margarine)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chocolate chunks if on sale)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
• Stir in chocolate chips.
• Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

2. Simple Banana Bread (Perfect for Overripe Bananas)

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan.
• In a large bowl, mash bananas.
• Stir in oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
• Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

3. Basic Brownies (Adaptable and Affordable)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter (or margarine)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Optional: chocolate chips, nuts (if on sale)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking pan.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar.
• Beat in eggs and vanilla.
• Stir in cocoa powder.
• Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
• Stir in optional chocolate chips or nuts.
• Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

4. Easy Sugar Cookies (Minimal Ingredients)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.
• Roll out dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
• Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.

Tips for Budget Baking

• Shop sales and use coupons: Keep an eye out for deals on baking ingredients.
• Use generic brands: Store-brand flour, sugar, and other staples are often just as good as name brands.
• Utilize seasonal ingredients: Apples, pumpkins, and other seasonal fruits and vegetables can add flavor to your baked goods.
• Don’t waste overripe fruit: Bananas, for example, are perfect for banana bread.
• Make your own extracts: Vanilla extract can be expensive, but you can make your own with vanilla beans and vodka.

Happy baking!