DecodedGuides

Baked Goods: Baking and Cooking

Dry baking staples like flour and sugar last a long time if kept dry and sealed, but they can pick up pantry pests or absorb moisture and odours from nearby food. Oils slowly turn rancid over time, even unopened, especially once exposed to heat or light.

Baked Goods: Baking and Cooking
FoodPantryFridgeFreezer
Almond extract2 years
Amaranth(2 kinds)2 months4 months
Baking powder6 to 18 months
Baking soda2 to 3 years
Barley(2 kinds)3 months6 months
Biscuit or pancake mix9 months
Buckwheat(2 kinds)1 month2 months
Butter flavor2 years
Cake, brownie, bread mixes12 to 18 months
Chili powder2 years
Chocolate1 to 2 years
Cinnamon extract2 years
Cinnamon rolls(2 kinds)1 to 3 days3 months
Cocoa and cocoa mixesKeeps indefinitely
Coconut flavor2 years
Coconut flour9 to 12 months9 to 12 months
Cornmeal(2 kinds)6 to 12 months
Cornstarch18 to 24 months
Farro(2 kinds)3 months6 months
Flavored or herb mixes6 months
Flour(2 kinds)6 to 12 months
Frosting or icing10 to 12 months
Garam masala1 year
Garlic(2 kinds)8 to 12 months
Gelatin(2 kinds)10 to 12 months
Herbs(2 kinds)1 to 2 years
Lemon extract2 years
Millet(2 kinds)1 month2 months
Nut oils6 to 12 months
Oats(2 kinds)2 months4 months
Oils6 to 12 months
Pure vanilla extract2 years
Rye(2 kinds)3 months6 months
Seasoning blends1 to 2 years
Shortening1 to 2 years
Sorghum(2 kinds)2 months4 months
Spelt(2 kinds)3 months6 months
Spice/spices(2 kinds)3 to 4 years
Sugar(3 kinds)Keeps indefinitely
Sugar substitutes2 years
Tamarind paste6 to 12 months
Tapiocas12 months
Teff(2 kinds)2 months4 months
Vegetable oil sprays2 years
Whole wheat flour12 months2 years2 years
Yeast2 years6 months

Signs baked goods: baking and cooking have gone bad

  • Small moths, beetles or larvae in the flour or grains
  • Clumping or hardening from moisture getting into the bag
  • Sharp, crayon-like or paint-like smell from oil
  • Baking powder that no longer fizzes when mixed with water
  • Chocolate chips with a dull grey bloom or waxy smell

Storage habits

Store flour, sugar and baking powder in airtight containers in a cool, dry cupboard away from the stove. Keep oils away from direct sunlight and heat, and refrigerate nut oils and opened specialty oils to slow rancidity. Label containers with the purchase date so older stock gets used first.

Questions people ask