10+ Holiday Ingredients To Stock Up on Now

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The holidays require a lot of prep! Here are some of what I stock up on:

  • eggs

  • fresh cranberries

  • nuts

  • canned pie fillings

  • flour

  • sugar

  • butter

  • various spices

  • broths

  • canned vegetables

  • dried pasta

  • rice

  • canned fruit

  • baking chocolate

  • coffee

  • tea

  • wine

  • various kinds of cheese

  • Baking essentials: Flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, butter, chocolate chips, vanilla extract

  • Canned goods: Cranberry sauce, canned fruit (like peaches or pears), canned vegetables (like green beans or corn), tomato sauce, tomato paste

  • Protein sources: Turkey or ham (if planning a large meal), canned tuna, chicken breasts

  • Spices and seasonings: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper

  • Beverages: Coffee, tea, wine, sparkling water

  • Other staples: Nuts, dried fruit, pasta, rice, olive oil, broth

  • Apple Pie Spice — perfect for pies and more

  • Peppermint — Extract, Candy, Candy Canes

  • Cream of Tartar — it’s best to buy fresh each year for the best-tasting meringues

  • Nuts — walnuts and pecans are typically used in holiday baking

  • Almond Bark — great for candy-making

  • Food Coloring — red, green, holiday colors

  • Pumpkin Pie Spice — a must-have at holiday time

  • Sprinkles — these are a must-have in every pantry

  • Extracts — Vanilla, Almond and Peppermint

  • Lollipop Sticks — great for cupcake toppers as well as candy-making

  • Recycled Containers — Save your containers to store cookies, etc.

  • Foil Bread Pans — I love the mini bread pans for gift giving

  • Take-out Boxes — Perfect for gift-giving or sending home leftovers with guests

  • Glass Jars — Great for giving hot cocoa mix, teas etc.

  • Plastic Treat Bags — Perfect for school treats

DIY Banana Bread in a Jar

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You will need:

8 oz Ball Jars

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened

  • 2 eggs

  • 2 overripe bananas, mashed

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • Optional: 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or nuts

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease the inside of the jars with butter or non-stick spray, and place them on a sheet pan.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and softened butter. Mix in the eggs, mashed bananas, and add the vanilla extract and sour cream.

3. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl, and mix until everything is combined. Fold in any add-ins, such as chocolate chips or nuts.

4. Use an ice cream scoop or measuring cup to transfer batter to each jar, filling each one halfway. If there are spills, simply wipe the tops of jars clean.

5. Place the sheet pan with jars in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

6. While the jars are in the oven, boil the rings and lids in water on the stove for about five minutes and then let them cool and dry.

7. Remove the jars from the oven after baking and secure the sterilized rings and lids tightly on the jars while they're still hot. While the jars cool, you'll hear popping sounds as they "seal". Cool to room temperature, gift them, and/or enjoy at home!

DIY Holiday Potpourri

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Equipment

  • 1 small sauce pan

Ingredients

  • 1 whole orange or orange peel

  • ½ cup cranberries

  • 1 tbs whole cloves

  • 3 sticks of cinnamon

Instructions

  • Quarter the orange and add to a small saucepan (or just use the orange peel).

  • Add cranberries, cloves and cinnamon sticks.

  • Fill pan with water and and allow to reach a boil and then reduce to lowest burner setting.

  • As the potpourri simmers, add water as necessary.

You will also need:

mason jars

Print the tag here!

DIY Mason Jar Snowglobes

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Directions

  1. Start by gluing a binder clip with gift card to the bottom of a jar (make sure you choose jars wide enough to fit a gift card inside).

2. Place a small amount of cotton and faux snow to hide the bottom of the binder clip.

3. Add any ornaments or bottle brush trees to make a winter scene.

4. Close jar and tie with ribbon or baker’s twine to embellish.