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The Well-Stocked Pantry for Christmas Cooking

The last thing any cook wants to do is walk around the kitchen and find out that they are missing a vital item they need to finish their Christmas baking. Undoubtedly it has happened to you at least once; be sure it doesn’t happen again with this pantry staple list for your Christmas baking and cooking.
 
Each Christmas most of us prepare the same things. There are favourite family dishes that must be prepared or it just won't be Christmas. That goes for desserts as well. Since you know this in advance, let’s make sure that the kitchen cupboards are stocked with the items you use the most.

You can add a few of these staples to your shopping list each week or month to build up your stockpile ready for Christmas baking. By doing this you can watch the sales and take advantage of the discounts to stretch your grocery dollar. Between now and Christmas you'll find most baking supplies on sale - if you have money in your grocery slush fund stock-up not just for Christmas baking but for the year ahead too - most baking items have a very long shelf-life.
 
The pantry list includes items for the fridge, cupboard and the freezer. Let’s begin with the cupboard: 
  • Flour (plain and self-raising)
  • Bicarb soda
  • Dry yeast (for breads)
  • Sugar (white, brown, icing)
  • Chocolate (blocks, bits, melts, cocoa powder)
  • Nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
  • Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, all-spice, salt, pepper)
  • Baking powder
  • Honey, oil, vinegar
  • Stock
  • Dried fruits (mixed fruit, apples, apricots, peel)
  • Vegetables (sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, beans, peas, salad veggies, garlic)
  • Rice
  • Dried pasta
This is just a short list. Depending on your tastes and what you cook or bake, you’ll add or detract from it. Now we move on to the fridge. Some items just need to stay in there to stay fresh. To know your refrigerated pantry staples, think of things that you are always sending someone to the store for. 
  • Milk
  • Butter (not margarine)
  • Sour cream, cream
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Lemon juice
This list is shorter because you use these items more when you cook and bake for Christmas than any other time. The stock from the other list will end up in the fridge after you open it.
 
Don’t forget the freezer. Most of the freezer staples come into play with baking but they can pertain to cooking the meal if you make fruit relishes, cranberry sauce from scratch and other condiment additions to your holiday table. 
  • Frozen fruit (berry mix, peaches)
  • Frozen vegetables (to make up for any shortfall with fresh veggie side dishes)
  • Pastry sheets (puff and shortcrust)
​As you can see, there are a lot of staples that you most likely already have in your pantry, fridge or freezer that you’ll need when cooking and baking for Christmas. You don’t necessarily have to account for every family member who darkens your door with your baking, but if your list includes at least these items you are well on your way to a well-stocked holiday pantry.