Mr. CBB recently had a post on this, and since I’ve actually made a few things from scratch myself lately, I thought I’d look into it myself. The two items I’ve recently made from scratch are:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Bread
I love chocolate chip cookies, but frankly, never want to make them as I’ll just eat the whole darned batch up as soon as they come out of the oven (yes, this may sound like a good idea, but it leads to stomach aches and regret). But we had a pot luck coming up a work, and this was a perfect opportunity to bake cookies – enough for both hubby and I, and for the office.
All told, the ingredients for the cookies cost about 5.50. The biggest expense was the chocolate chips (mmm..mint flavoured). If I’d used less, or bought a less expensive brand, then I could have saved some money, but I love chocolate, so I didn’t want to skimp. I ended up with 2 tins full of cookies. So, if you compare it to something like PC Brand chocolate chip cookies, which were recently on for 2.50, then it works out about even. But – you also have to factor in my time to buy the ingredients, make the cookies, and wash the dishes. So, all in all, it’s probably cheaper to buy the cookies rather than make them, but frankly – nothing is as good as home made chocolate chip cookies!
The bread – well, flour was the main expense, but basically it works out to about 2.50 for the ingredients (I meant to itemize this, but of course, I threw out the bill!). I have a bread maker, and it didn’t take that much time to mix the bread up. So, on this one, there wasn’t as much time and labour as there was for the cookies, and the price works out comparable to most store bought bread (not compared to a really good sale, mind you, but certainly the average price)|. Plus I get the added bonus of my house smelling like freshly baked bread. So, I guess this one works out about even.
I think that cooking from scratch is generally much cheaper than buying ready made food at the stores. With baking it’s a tougher call, as baking ingredients can be quite costly. But baking can be a fun activity (I used to make these cookies with my grandmother, and recently made them with one of my nieces), and certainly more satisfying than purchasing something store bought.
Do you like to do baking at home? Do you still do it even if it’d be cheaper to buy a similar item in the store?
My wife likes to bake at home on most occasions as then we know what’s going in the given item. One thing she’ll do to get around having to make a whole batch is to freeze the dough. If she only wants some for a dessert she’ll make up the dough and only make 8-12 cookies and freeze the rest of the dough. That way we get some cookies without the feeling of needing to eat 3 dozen in four days.
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John – that’s a great idea. I really, really should have thought of that! Next time I make up a batch of dough, I’ll try that.
Store brand cookies are definitely cheaper, but they do NOT compare in taste ! Totally worth it. And if you give them as gifts then it’s still a pretty darn cheap gift !
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Yes. I love getting cookies as gifts! One year a friend gave me cookies, and a great tupperware container they came in – I kept that tupperware for years!
I bake at home whenever I can. I know it’s not always cheaper, especially if you factor in time, but it’s almost always healthier. I would rather my kids eat homemade chocolate chip cookies that have butter, eggs, sugar, and flour any day over the store bought cookies. Have you read those ingredients lately? CRAZY!!!!!!
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Yeah, it’s pretty crazy just what the heck they put things nowadays – if I have no idea what it is, I probably shouldn’t be putting it in my body!
We cook and bake at home all the time. I really like the ability to control what goes into something. If I want to change the flavour, limit calories etc. I can do that. And it is way cheaper. I just made the chocolate peanut butter squares. Delicious.
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Oh, those sound yummy! I love pretty much any combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
I was going to say you can’t come close to comparing PC cookies to Homemade fresh from the oven cookies, no way! lol… I’m all for homemade if I can make it myself. I try to pick up ingredients as they go on offer so I have them on hand. For example Hersheys Chocolate Chips were at the dollar store for a buck a bag and bakers chocolate squars $2.00 as opposed to the reg price of $3.99 and up in the shops. I enjoy knowing exactly goes into my meals as well. Thanks for sharing my post! Cheers Cat and Happy Holidays!!
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Ooh – hadn’t even thought of the dollar store. I really should start checking them out for more food items (other than candy!)
Oh Mr CBB your quaint English expressions are so sweet. They make my day!
Yeah, I love any time he uses “Cheers” and “Mate”
Certain things are much cheaper in the store – frozen pizza, cookies/cookie dough and other things a like, but what you sacrifice to save bucks is quality and taste. It all depends on your preference I suppose.
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Eddie – there are pros and cons to both approaches – sometimes you want quick and easy, and sometimes you want the “real deal”
I rarely buy dessert type things from the store. Most of the time their quality just isn’t nearly as good. There is a dessert from the Recipe to Riches show that is AMAZING though. These things: Golden Toffee Nut Gems. The box is orange. No hating me if you eat them and find them amazing… had them at a friends’ place for dinner one night.
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I’ve seen them. I don’t like Tofffe or Nuts, so they haven’t really interested me. I think I’ve tried the pulled pork recipe/product from that show though and it is *good*!
I find with boughten cookies my family is likely to eat a few and the rest of the package goes stale. Where as fresh cookies i make enough that every one gets 2 or 3 and nothing goes to waste. If your family doesnt eat every thing thats purchased then its more costly.