Whether it’s a cake or a cookie, everybody loves a sweet treat!
Who can say no to the warm and delicious aroma of freshly baked goods still hot from the oven? All that’s needed is a slice of butter, your favorite jam or jelly, or a glass of milk, and you’ll find yourself in pastry heaven.
However, many miss out on this mouthwatering experience simply because they’d rather pick up a loaf from their grocery store or bakeshop. This has sparked an interesting debate among bakers and bread lovers worldwide: Homemade baked goods vs. store-bought baked goods.
If you’re wondering the same, you’re in for a treat. Let’s delve into the world of baking, specifically, what makes homemade baked goods so special, and why it’s better for you and the planet if you make the switch and say goodbye to store-bought treats!
1. Healthy Ingredients
It’s easy to grab a box of donuts or pick up a pack of chocolate chip cookies when you do your weekly grocery shopping. Unfortunately, a glance at the ingredients list will often reveal that these store-bought sweets are full of chemical additives, preservatives, and synthetic flavoring!
When baking at home, you have the power to select fresh, healthy, high-quality ingredients and steer clear of excessive sugar and unwanted chemicals. This is what makes homemade goods undeniably tastier than store-bought, with a richer flavor, crispier texture, and fluffier interior.
These quick tips will help you bake goodies that are as nutritious as they are delicious!
- For extra fiber, vitamins, and minerals, use whole-grain flour like wheat, corn, or oat flour
- Replace sugar with natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or mashed bananas
- Swap butter or shortening with healthier options like olive oil or coconut oil
- Reduce the salt and add nutritious add-ons like dried fruits, nuts, and seeds
2. Personal Touch
The process of baking the goods is just as important as the ingredients you use! Homemade treats are made with love and care, and if you involve your family, friends, or kids in the baking process, you’ll be able to create lasting memories that you can cherish in the years to come.
Homemade baked goods can also be a more personal gift. There’s something sweet and special about food that’s made at home, by your hand, and customized just the way your loved one likes it—this simple act holds a sense of intimacy that just can’t be bought in a store!
You’re also free to tweak recipes to fit your diet, to satisfy your family’s taste buds, or to avoid potential allergens when gifting goodies to a friend.
3. Cost and Convenience
While store-bought treats can seem more affordable at first glance, buying ingredients in bulk and baking your own goods can turn out to be more budget-friendly in the long run! Many recipes involve simple and accessible ingredients, like flour, eggs, milk, sugar, and butter.
Plus, supermarket cakes and pastries can be pretty expensive with fancy packaging and costly branding, and yet so small that they don’t last long. With homemade goods, you can whip up decadent desserts at the size you want so that there’s plenty to go around for everyone.
When it comes to convenience, you might also think that store-bought goods are the easier option. But, when you factor in baking in batches and the assurance of always getting fresh, healthy, high-quality goods to give to your family and friends, homemade makes more sense!
4. Environmental Impact
Did you notice that store-bought treats often come in cardboard boxes and are wrapped in layers of plastic or foil? In contrast, homemade baking reduces your need for plastic packaging and aligns with eco-friendly practices—it allows you to support local ingredient suppliers, too!
Sustainable ways to store freshly baked goods include reusable containers, air-tight glass jars, and cookie tins. If you’re gifting baked goods, swap single-use wrapping paper for greener alternatives like beeswax wraps, gift bags made of recycled fabrics, tea towels, and Mason jars.
5. Mental Health Benefits
Research suggests that baking for yourself and others can be a form of meditation and mindfulness, which comes with many benefits. It can improve your overall sense of well-being, increase happiness, reduce stress, and serve as an outlet for creativity and self-expression.
The act of creating something from scratch, from mixing ingredients and kneading dough to watching it rise and bake to perfection, is also incredibly rewarding. For many, the delicious aroma of freshly baked goods alone is enough to evoke feelings of calm and relaxation!
In addition to the feel-good factor of baking homemade goods, the praise and delight of your family and friends when you share a snack with them can be uplifting. After all, one of the many joys of baking is seeing the look on someone’s face after taking a bite of your sweet treat!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.