When you are baking, you want to use the freshest ingredients possible. The key to freshness is storing them correctly and knowing when to toss them out.
Baking ingredients should be stored in either glass jars, Tupperware containers or tins to extend their shelf life.
If you stocked up on baking ingredients for the holidays, but now find you have a lot left over, This Baking Ingredients Shelf Life Guide will fill you in on how long you can expect your supply to last.
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 with this simple tip to save hardened brown sugar.
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, use these tips for dealing with honey crystals.
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.
Amanda Bruenger says
I’ve always wondered if the shelf life of some of these, great information!
Gen Entyl says
this is really cool!
Sherri says
thank you for this I never know when something needs to be tossed
Michelle Richardson says
Great tips! I so need to go through my baking cupboard before the holidays begin!
Lisa Coomer Queen says
This was great! A lot of good information here. Thank you for sharing.
Sheila Ritter says
I honestly have to say that I have never even really thought about the shelf life of baking ingredients. This is some good information to have. Thank you.
Dan D says
I’ve always wondered if the shelf life they give is accurate or if you can go well beyond their suggested life,
Brenda Beckwith says
Honey will last forever! Honey was found in a Pyramid and it was still good. Baking Powder will loose it’s effectiveness. Toss after 1 year
Sheila McVicar says
Thank you, Chrysa, this is very helpful! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Sammie says
This is such a helpful post. Especially as once flour, sugar is decanted into storage containers it is tricky to know what the use by date is. Even frequent bakers will benefit from this advice. Thank you for sharing. Sammie.
susan says
I know I have quite a few over the expiration date spices and the like. I should use this time to get rid of half of them, and get new .
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I am horrible at this! I had no idea that some of these items even expired! I keep sugar and flour in our fridge so it lasts longer.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
Another nice thing about storing in glass or Tupperware is that it helps prevent and keep little bugs out of there. I will never forget the first time I saw a weevil in a bag of food – ew.
Ellen Coleman says
freeze all flour products at least overnight t, It will prevent any “eggs” of weevils hatching
Meg Clare says
and then I guess you sift when using each time so you don’t find any surprises. I will from now on. Eeww
Diane Reiner says
I learned this many years ago and it has not ever failed yet. I had a Terminix man tell me this. Whenever you buy flour, cereals, pastas, cake mixes, or any grains, etc. if you will bring them home and put them in the freezer for at least 24 hrs. you will never have bugs in any of them. This man explained it to me this way, nearly all of the things I’ve just listed already HAS the weevil eggs in it. But if you will freeze them, the weevils will never hatch, and as icky as it sounds, the eggs aren’t harmful at all. I know Ellen Coleman has mentioned to freeze the products, but I just wanted to explain why. Thanks, and I hope this helps as well.
Chrysa says
Thanks, Diane. That DOES sound icky, but helpful!
Scott says
I keep buying expensive flour and then forgetting to use it all. It usually ends up going to waste…
Anon says
Store flour in ur freezer it’ll last longer, won’t get weevils and doesn’t freeze.
Ladena Racine says
This is great information. I always wondered about the shelf life of flour and sugar. I think I will write a date on the packages when I open them now so I remember how long they are good for!