Think Twice Before Purchasing Baked Goods At Grocery Stores

Like most of us, you probably picked up a loaf of bread the last time you ran to the grocery store to fetch some last-minute necessities for dinner. When you stroll past the bakery section, the smell of the fresh-baked loaves is like a siren song, enticing you to grab a baguette or sourdough boule. Or, if you don't make a habit of falling prey to the baskets of bread, perhaps you have been known to pick up a special-occasion cake at the grocery store, custom decorated for a grad party, birthday, or anniversary. The baked goods at your local supermarket are convenient and priced pretty reasonably, making them attractive buys. However, we're here to tell you that you may wish to refrain from indulging in grocery store bakery treats. The reason? They are probably full of cheap ingredients and unpronounceable chemicals.

Grocery stores are businesses and, as such, must constantly think about the bottom line. Consider that grocery store rotisserie chickens are cheaper than raw ones because they are likely about to pass their "best by" date, so they gain new life in the hot bar. Supermarkets want to offer competitive prices on baked goods — just look at Sam's Club and Costco, where custom sheet cakes are cheap and abundant — so it's all too easy to cut corners on quality of ingredients and pack them full of preservatives. That produces baked goods that may taste fine, but will never be as yummy as those you get from a real bakery or make yourself at home.

What's a discerning consumer to do if the idea of grocery store baked goods is (rightfully) unpalatable? Well, the answer is going to involve a bit more time and legwork, but the results will likely be much better. Supporting a bakery in your community not only gives you the great feeling of patronizing a local business, but it's a safe bet that an independent bakery is going to use much nicer ingredients in its bread, cookies, cakes, and other treats. In a time where grocery store price tags are skyrocketing, you may even find that your local bakery's pricing is right in line with the supermarket ... if not cheaper. Plus, you will have access to a wide assortment of goodies that are baked fresh, including specialty items that your grocery store may not carry, like culturally unique and seasonal pastries and desserts.

Of course, the ultimate way to save money on baked goods and ensure that they fit your exact specifications is to make them yourself. Nobody can deny that home baking is having a moment — we've covered how to feed a sourdough starter so that you can join the legion of proto-homemakers churning out loaves in their own kitchens. Of course, baking at home requires a certain commitment of both time and fearlessness that some aren't willing to expend. You have to weigh your options for where you are willing to compromise when it comes to your baked goods.