Is your bread machine gathering dust in the cupboard? I must confess, my own was hidden away in the pantry for quite some time, only surfacing when grocery funds dwindled. A bread machine provides a fantastic way to economize while simplifying meal prep, and it’s not just about making bread! In fact, I typically shy away from making sandwich bread in the machine; I prefer the uniformity of store-bought slices. Here, however, are my top five go-to bread machine recipes for maximum savings.
1. Pizza Dough: The best deal I found on pizza dough was $1.99 at Trader Joes, making one pizza. But with my favorite recipe from Snail Pace Transformations, I get a slightly larger yield for under a dollar’s worth of ingredients. I enjoy enhancing it with herbs and Parmesan cheese for an extra kick. The dough cycle takes under an hour, perfect for last-minute dinner dilemmas, ensuring hot pizza served before 7.
2. Knockoff Starbucks Lemon Loaf: Instead of buying one slice of Starbucks lemon loaf, why not prepare the entire loaf for the same cost? Measure the ingredients, load them into the machine, set the desired settings, and relax. Even if you’re not the best in the kitchen, you’ll ace this recipe found on Starrplanet.com. After mastering this loaf, consider gifting it – a homemade, affordable, and impressive birthday present.
3. Pita Bread: As someone who doesn’t bake regularly, I know pita bread recipes can seem daunting. The pita bread recipe from Dine & Dish simplifies the process, resulting in fresh, homemade pitas for about a dollar’s worth of ingredients (depending on your flour’s cost). Store-bought pitas usually cost about $3, so the annual savings could reach $104 if you switch from store-bought to homemade pita once a week.
4. Hawaiian Bread: The unique flavor of King’s Hawaiian bread is irresistible but on the pricier side. Our duplicate recipe yields a similar and tasty result. You can tailor it to your liking by turning the dough into either a loaf or rolls. Given the temptation to eat a package of these mouthwatering rolls in one go, this recipe could offer significant savings to many households.
5. Ham and Cheese Pockets: Crystal Paine offers a simple, adaptable recipe for ham and cheese pockets. The beauty of it? You can switch the stuffing – try pizza fillings, breakfast ingredients, veggie and cheese, and more. These pockets also freeze well, providing an affordable, easily accessible lunch option. Compared to Hot Pockets, they not only come out healthier but also more economical.
Coaxed into dragging out your bread machine? If you don’t own one, you could borrow from a friend or relative who’s not using it. Even if you’re a cooking novice, these bread machine recipes could revolutionize your meals and impress your date!
