A baking hint I thought I would share

[hyphenate]

because it's not only economical, it's a savior!

I've been dying to share this with others because I know how hard it is to spend money on "luxury" items like cake mixes.

I have always bought cake mixes when they go on sale, usually for $1 a box. Often, I end up with more than I have occasion to bake, and they expire. One time, I had a cake mix that was like 2 years beyond its expiration date, and I called the company asking if it was still safe to eat it, and they said there wasn't anything in it that turned after that date, only perhaps freshness.

So I baked it that day, and found out exactly what went "bad" after that date--the leavening. It barely rose at all, and was dense and very heavy. Well, that was a learning experience, and since then, I have come up with the solution.

If you are making a cake from a box, the secret is to add 1 tablespoon of baking powder to the mix if the mix has an expired date on it. You can still get away without extra baking powder if it's only a couple of months past due date, but once that date hits 6 months or more, add the powder. Since I've been doing that, I haven't been let down yet. And you get to make cake with your kids or for yourself, without wondering what's going to happen once you put it in the oven!

[hippywife]

1. That's a good tip but

the most economical thing is to not buy cake mixes. If you keep flour around for baking, you can bake scratch cakes easily. I'm assuming you do since you keep baking powder.

I do find it's really easy and more economical to bake from scratch over the long run. Got bananas going bad but can't bake now, peel 'em and throw 'em in the freezer. Love cranberry bread or cake all year round, buy extra bags when they're cheap and available at Thanksgiving. Orange zest is an awesome flavoring. So many ingredients store well in the fridge or freezer.

Plus the difference in taste is so worth the little bit of extra time, and no preservatives! Your own fresh ingredients. You also get to be more flexible and creative, which is the fun part. And they stop being a luxury item and something you can do for your family a little more often.

But they just might start expecting it! LOL ;) :hi: