Grab These 7 Baking Ingredients Weeks Before Christmas…

The holiday baking season is a joyous time, but it can also be a stressful one. As Christmas approaches, the baking aisle of the grocery store becomes a chaotic and crowded place. Popular, shelf-stable ingredients can sell out quickly, leaving you to make a last-minute dash to multiple stores. To avoid this holiday hassle, savvy bakers know that the key is to shop early. You should grab these seven essential baking ingredients weeks before the December rush even begins.

These two canned dairy products are the essential base for a huge number of holiday desserts. This includes pumpkin pie, fudge, and magic cookie bars. Because they are shelf-stable and in high demand, they are often one of the first items to sell out in mid-December. You should buy your cans in November and store them in your pantry to ensure you have them when you need them.

2. Canned Pumpkin Purée

Canned pumpkin is the star of the show for both Thanksgiving and Christmas baking. The demand for it is so intense and so concentrated in these two months that stores often have trouble keeping it in stock. You should buy all the canned pumpkin you will need for the entire holiday season well before Thanksgiving. It will last for years in your pantry.

3. Baking Spices

Holiday recipes call for a specific set of warm spices. This includes cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. These spices see a massive surge in sales during the holiday season. The small jars can sell out quickly. You should check your spice rack in early November and restock any of these essential holiday spices before the rush begins.

4. Baking Chocolate and Chocolate Chips

High-quality baking chocolate, from unsweetened squares to semi-sweet chocolate chips, is another item that can be hard to find in the week before Christmas. Everyone is baking cookies, fudge, and other chocolate treats at the same time. You should buy your baking chocolate early. It is a shelf-stable item that will be ready and waiting for you when the baking mood strikes.

5. Pecans and Walnuts
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Pecans and walnuts are the stars of many classic holiday recipes, from pecan pie to fruitcake and holiday cookies. These nuts can be expensive, and they are in very high demand during the holidays. You should look for sales on pecans and walnuts in the fall. You can then store them in your freezer to keep them fresh for several months.

6. Food Coloring

If you plan on decorating Christmas cookies or making a festive, colorful frosting, you will need food coloring. The small boxes of red and green food coloring are a surprisingly hot commodity in December. They often sell out as families prepare for their holiday cookie decorating parties. You can buy this item months in advance to avoid a last-minute search.

7. Decorative Sprinkles and Sugars

Like food coloring, the decorative sprinkles, nonpareils, and colored sugars used for holiday decorating can also be hard to find. The selection is always at its best in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. If you wait until the last minute, you will often be left with a picked-over and uninspiring selection. You should stock up on your favorite festive decorations early.

The Baker’s Advantage

The secret to a stress-free holiday baking season is simple: planning and preparation. The crowds and the out-of-stock items in December are a predictable part of the holiday chaos. By thinking ahead and stocking your pantry with these essential, shelf-stable ingredients in the fall, you can give yourself a major advantage. You will be able to enjoy the fun of holiday baking without the stress of a last-minute shopping trip.

What is your number one, must-have holiday baking ingredient? When do you typically start your holiday shopping? Share your tips and traditions!