[Kitchen Witch]

Let's talk about cakes.

I went to birthday party where the cake that was served was purchased from a local supermarket bakery. Typical bakery cake - roses, trim and writing - nothing added on, such as toys or doo-dads.

Looked nice.

That was it - looked nice.

This was a 1/4 sheet cake. They come in frozen and frosted with flowers or balloons, etc. already on the cakes. The store adds the writing.

To begin with - the amount of actual "cake" could not have been more than what you would get from a one-layer Jiffy mix. The frosting could not have been thinner - except in the areas where it made up for the lopsided-ness of the cake - so that it would look even.

Was that cake actually worth the $17.99 + tax price tag it carried?

Not to anyone there.

And to think that for $5 more it could have been split in half and filled with probably 1/2 cup of filling.

It is so much cheaper to make your own cakes. If you are unsuccessful at baking from scratch, you can always use your coupons and stock up on cake and frosting mixes when they are on sale.

Is a cake usually too much waste because there seems to be too much of it and you end up tossing some or most of it?

Cake will freeze well - frosted or plain. You can cut into individual portions, you can buy smaller baking tins and make 2 or more cakes, freezing the extra, or you can make cupcakes (using paper liners).

After your cake has cooled completely you can frost and refrigerate; portion and freeze.

It won't last forever in the freezer - but you can have good cake for the next several weeks.

A nice butter cake that has been portioned and frozen will make a nice dessert topped with a berry sauce or topping when berries and other fruits are in season (and cheaper).


You can do the same with pies.

I go nuts when I see the grocery store piling apple pies (for instance), claiming they are family size and charging $8.99 or more for a pie.

C'mon now!

Have you actually seen some of these pies?

You see the top of the pie (of course) and you don't see that the pie plates that they are using have such a deep slant to the sides that the bottom of the pie is so small. Sorry - to me that is not a pie - that is a rip-off. And the price - not worth it. These should be advertised and sold as "pie tops" (like muffin tops) because the pies have no depth to them.

Make your own. Can't make a crust? Buy a box or refrigerated crust. Even canned apple filling (or any other) can be used and how simple is that? That is what they uswe in the stores anyway! Sure ain't HOMEMADE!


While I'm at it - and you know once my bunny battery starts working I keep going, and going, and going.......................

POTATO CHIPS!

Foil-lined type bags so you cannot see what is in there. (why not give us cello bags?)
Average price $4+ for a so-called large bag. Filled with air. Open the bag and look inside - yeah - contents can settle (I'm not stupid) but I would like to see more than half a bag of chips. The air they pump in there still protects the chips.

Buy a russet potato - BIG difference in price. Make your own. Make or buy various flavorings and enjoy your cheap, homemade, and healthier for you chips.


to be continued............................