Home / Baking Basics / How to Store Common Baking Ingredients

How to Store Common Baking Ingredients

This post contains links to affiliate websites, such as Amazon, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you using these links. We appreciate your support!

Part 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.

California Closets White pantry corner with white stool

An important part of successful baking is the 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

Drawer full of spice jars

Dry pantry staples

IngredientMethod of storage
Baking powderSealed in the original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place
Baking sodaSealed in the original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place, and away from spices or other foods with strong scents (as it absorbs odors)
Candy meltsSealed in a cool, dark, dry place
Chocolate baking barsSealed in a cool, dark, dry place
Chocolate chipsSealed in a cool, dark, dry place
Cocoa powderAirtight container in a cool, dark, dry place
CornstarchSealed in the original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place
Cream of tartarSealed in the original packaging in a cool, dark, dry place
Espresso powderAirtight container in a cool, dark, dry place
FloursAirtight container in a cool, dry place
MarshmallowsSealed container in a cool, dry place
Marshmallow FluffSealed container in a cool, dry place
Salt, no additivesCovered container in a dry place, but not a metal container as the salt would leach the metal
Salt, sea or fleur de selCovered container in a dry place, but not a metal container as the salt would leach the metal
SpicesAirtight containers in a dark, dry place away from direct sunlight or moisture
SprinklesCovered container in a dry place
Sugar, coconutAirtight 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, powderedAirtight container in a cool, dry place
YeastUnopened: Sealed container in a cool, dry place
Opened: Sealed container in the fridge or freezer

Liquid pantry staples

IngredientMethod 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 the fridge.
Extracts (almond, mint, imitation vanilla, etc.)Sealed container in a cool, dark place.
HoneySealed container in a cool place, and do not store in a metal container as it will oxidize.
Maple syrup, realUnopened container: Cool, dark place, or in the fridge.
Opened: Sealed container in the fridge.
Milk, shelf-stableUnopened container: Cool, dark place, or in the fridge.
Opened: Sealed container in the fridge.
Milk, sweetened condensedUnopened container: Cool, dark place, or in the fridge.
Opened: Airtight container in the fridge.
MolassesSealed in a cool, dark, dry place.
Oil, coconutSealed container. Will be liquid at a warmer temperature and be solid at a cooler temperature – neither is bad, just a matter of circumstance.
Oil, vegetable or canolaSealed bottle (preferably made of tinted glass or stainless steel to keep light out) in a dark, cool place.
Oil, extra virgin oliveSealed bottle (preferably made of tinted glass or stainless steel to keep light out) in a dark, cool place.
Oil, non-stick spraySealed in a cool, dry place.
Vanilla, pure extract Sealed bottle in a cool, dark place.

Condiments

ProductMethod of storage
DressingsUnopened: Sealed bottle in a cool, dark place
Opened: Sealed bottle in the fridge
Hot sauceSealed container at room temperature
JamsUnopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place
Opened: Sealed container in the fridge
JelliesUnopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place
Opened: Sealed container in the fridge
MayonnaiseUnopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place
Opened: Sealed container in the fridge
Mustard, yellow or groundUnopened: Sealed container in a cool, dark place
Opened: Sealed container in the fridge
Peanut butterSealed container in a cool, dark place or in the fridge
Sesame oilSealed container in a cool, dark place
Soy sauceSealed container in the fridge
Vinegar, any kindSealed container in a cool, dark place
Worcestershire sauceSealed container in the fridge

Dried goods

ProductMethod of storage
BreadcrumbsSealed container in a cool, dry place
Chia seedsSealed 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
NutsAirtight container in a cool, dark place
OatsSealed container in a cool, dry place
Pasta, dried and boxedCovered container in a dry place
Rice, brownCovered container in a dry place
Rice, jasmineCovered container in a dry place
Rice, whiteCovered container in a dry place
Rice, wildCovered container in a dry place
Refrigerated items in a fridge door
The above photo is for the sake of showing a collection of products – most are not actually stored in the fridge door.

Refrigerated

Like I mentioned at the top of the page, when in 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 tolerate to temperature fluctuations.

ProductMethod of storage
BaconUnopened: Vacuum-sealed bag in the fridge.
Opened: Sealed bag in the fridge.
ButterWrapped tightly in the fridge.
ButtermilkSealed container in the back of the fridge.
Cheese, hardWrapped tightly in the fridge.
Cheese, softWrapped tightly in the fridge.
Cream cheeseWrapped tightly in the fridge.
EggsIn carton in the fridge.
Heavy creamSealed container in the fridge.
Mascarpone cheeseSealed container in the fridge.
Milk, dairySealed 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 creamSealed container in the fridge.
YogurtSealed container in the back of the fridge.
Drawer of freezer full of various foods

Frozen

ProductMethod of storage
BaconUnopened: Vacuum-sealed bag in the freezer.
Opened: Sealed bag in the freezer.
Cool WhipSealed container in the freezer, and can be thawed in the fridge for use.
FruitsSealed container/bag in the freezer.
Ice creamAirtight container in the back of the freezer. Ideally, also wrapped in plastic wrap for extra protection from freezer burn.
Phyllo doughTightly wrapped in the freezer, and can be thawed in the fridge, then brought to room temperature for use.
Pie crustTightly wrapped and in a plastic bag in the fridge. Thaw in the fridge, then brought to room temperature for use.
Frozen vegetablesSealed container/bag in the freezer.
Leslie leaning on a counter

I hope this information helps!

Do you have any questions about this topic that I didn't answer? Let me know in the comments below!



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

4 Comments

  1. 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!