Part 1 of my Baking Basics series: The best ways to store commonly used baking ingredients in the pantry, fridge and freezer to keep them as fresh as possible for the best baking results.
An important part of successful baking is proper storage of your ingredients. The last thing you want to do is get ready to make a buttercream frosting for the gorgeous three layer cake you just made only to find that your heavy cream is rancid. If you want to make me cry… that’s how you make me cry.
Below are a collection of charts with my most commonly used ingredients and their particular storage methods for reference so you too can avoid a spoiled ingredient disaster.
A few baking ingredient storage tips
- Generally speaking, the key to most things is to store ingredients in a cool, dark place away from temperature fluctuations and moisture.
- When in doubt, store refrigerated items in the body of the fridge and not the door.
- If you’re not sure how long you’ve had something, and/or there’s no date on the package, it’s time to toss it for a new one.
- If you can’t read the expiration date on a package because it’s worn off… that’s a good sign it’s time to replace it.
My favorite storage containers
- OXO Good Grips 10-Piece Airtight Food Storage POP Containers
- Hefty Slider Freezer Bags
- Glad Press’n Seal Plastic Food Wrap
- 6 ounce Clear Glass Jars with Lids
- 1 Liter Glass Bottles with Stoppers
Dry pantry staples
| Ingredient | Method of storage |
| Baking powder | Sealed in original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Baking soda | Sealed in original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place, and away from spices or other foods with strong scents (as it absorbs odors). |
| Candy melts | Sealed in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Chocolate baking bars | Sealed in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Chocolate chips | Sealed in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Cocoa powder | Airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Cornstarch | Sealed in original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Cream of tartar | Sealed in original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Espresso powder | Airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Flours | Airtight container in a cool, dry place. |
| Marshmallows | Sealed container in a cool, dry place. |
| Marshmallow Fluff | Sealed container in a cool, dry place. |
| Salt, no additives | Covered container in a dry place, but not metal container as the salt would leach the metal. |
| Salt, sea or fleur de sel | Covered container in a dry place, but not metal container as the salt would leach the metal. |
| Spices | Airtight containers in a dark, dry place away from direct sunlight or moisture. |
| Sprinkles | Covered container in a dry place. |
| Sugar, coconut | Airtight container in a cool, dry place. |
| Sugar, granulated | Airtight container in a cool, dry place. |
| Sugar, light or dark brown | Airtight container in a cool, dry place – store with a moist brown sugar bear to keep it soft! |
| Sugar, powdered | Airtight container in a cool, dry place. |
| Yeast | Unopened: Sealed container in a cool, dry place. Opened: Sealed container in the fridge or freezer. |
Liquid pantry staples
| Ingredient | Method of storage |
| Broths (chicken, beef, vegetable) | Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Coconut milk | Unopened container: Cool, dark place or in the fridge. Opened: Sealed container in fridge. |
| Extracts (almond, mint, imitation vanilla, etc.) | Sealed container in cool, dark place. |
| Honey | Sealed container in a cool place, and do not store in metal container as it will oxidize. |
| Maple syrup, real | Unopened container: Cool, dark place or in the fridge. Opened: Sealed container in fridge. |
| Milk, shelf stable | Unopened container: Cool, dark place or in the fridge. Opened: Sealed container in fridge. |
| Milk, sweetened condensed | Unopened container: Cool, dark place or in the fridge. Opened: Airtight container in fridge. |
| Molasses | Sealed in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Oil, coconut | Sealed container. Will be liquid at warmer temperature and be solid at cooler temperature – neither is bad, just a matter of circumstance. |
| Oil, vegetable or canola | Sealed bottle (preferably made of tinted glass or stainless steel to keep light out) in a dark, cool place. |
| Oil, extra virgin olive | Sealed bottle (preferably made of tinted glass or stainless steel to keep light out) in a dark, cool place. |
| Oil, non-stick spray | Sealed in a cool, dry place. |
| Vanilla, pure extract | Sealed bottle in a cool, dark place. |
Condiments
| Product | Method of storage |
| Dressings | Unopened: Sealed bottle in a cool, dark place. Opened: Sealed bottle in the fridge. |
| Hot sauce | Sealed container at room temperature. |
| Jams | Unopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place. Opened: Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Jellies | Unopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place. Opened: Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Mayonnaise | Unopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place. Opened: Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Mustard, yellow or ground | Unopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place. Opened: Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Peanut butter | Sealed container in a cool, dark place or in the fridge. |
| Sesame oil | Sealed container in a cool, dark place. |
| Soy sauce | Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Vinegar, any kind | Sealed container in a cool, dark place. |
| Worcestershire sauce | Sealed container in the fridge. |
Dried goods
| Product | Method of storage |
| Breadcrumbs | Sealed container in a cool, dry place. |
| Chia seeds | Sealed container in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Fruit (cranberries, figs, raisins, etc.) | Sealed in a dry place. Moisture can cause them to clump together and/or become limp or soft. |
| Nuts | Airtight container in a cool, dark place. |
| Oats | Sealed container in a cool, dry place. |
| Pasta, dried and boxed | Covered container in a dry place. |
| Rice, brown | Covered container in a dry place. |
| Rice, jasmine | Covered container in a dry place. |
| Rice, white | Covered container in a dry place. |
| Rice, wild | Covered container in a dry place. |
Refrigerated
Like I mentioned at the top of the page, when it doubt, store items in the body of the fridge and not the door.
What’s safe for the fridge door, then? Condiments, soda, sports drinks, and other foods and beverages that can hold up to temperature fluctuations.
| Product | Method of storage |
| Bacon | Unopened: Vacuum-sealed bag in the fridge. Opened: Sealed bag in fridge. |
| Butter | Wrapped tightly in the fridge. |
| Buttermilk | Sealed container in the back of the fridge. |
| Cheese, hard | Wrapped tightly in the fridge. |
| Cheese, soft | Wrapped tightly in the fridge. |
| Cream cheese | Wrapped tightly in the fridge. |
| Eggs | In carton in fridge. |
| Heavy cream | Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Mascarpone cheese | Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Milk, dairy | Sealed container in the back of the fridge. |
| Milk, non-dairy (refrigerated) | Sealed container in the fridge. |
| Milk, non-dairy (not refrigerated) | Sealed container in a cool dark place. |
| Sour cream | Sealed container in the fridge. |
Frozen
| Product | Method of storage |
| Bacon | Unopened: Vacuum-sealed bag in the freezer. Opened: Sealed bag in freezer. |
| Cool Whip | Sealed container in the freezer, and can be thawed in the fridge for use. |
| Fruits | Sealed container/bag in the freezer. |
| Ice cream | Airtight container in the back of the freezer. Ideally, also wrapped in plastic wrap for extra protection from freezer burn. |
| Phyllo dough | Tightly wrapped in the freezer, and can be thawed in the fridge, then brought to room temperature for use. |
| Pie crust | Tightly wrapped and in a plastic bag in the fridge. Thaw in the fridge, then brought to room temperature for use. |
| Frozen vegetables | Sealed container/bag in the freezer. |
I hope this helps! Are there any questions about baking ingredient storage that I didn’t answer? Let me know in the comments below!
Leanne says
It’s so awesome that you put all this together Leslie! Super helpful, and I can definitely see myself referring to these lists. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Leslie Kiszka says
I’m so glad!
David PR says
This promises to be a very helpful series. Thanks for putting it together.
Leslie Kiszka says
I’m so glad you’ll find it helpful – let me know if there’s more information I can provide as you go through them!