Hey friends! Happy mid-January! ❄️ If your kitchen cupboards are anything like mine right now, the holidays left behind a treasure trove: half-empty bags of flour, random cans of pumpkin, that jar of peanut butter that’s been lurking for months, and maybe some overripe bananas begging for attention.
Instead of heading out for a grocery run (and spending way more than planned), I’m doing my annual January Pantry Challenge. The goal? Bake cozy, comforting treats using ONLY what’s already in the cupboards, fridge, and freezer. No new ingredients (unless it’s a true emergency like “we’re out of baking powder” — which hasn’t happened yet!).
This challenge saves money, reduces food waste, and turns “there’s nothing to eat” into warm, homemade wins. Last time I did it, I saved over $60 on baked goods alone. This year, I’m aiming for at least $50+ by skipping store-bought treats. Ready to join in? Let’s turn your pantry into a cozy bakery!
Quick Guide: How to Rock Your Own January Pantry Challenge
Take stock: Open every cupboard, drawer, and shelf. List basics like flour, sugar (white/brown/honey), oats, peanut butter, cocoa powder, canned pumpkin/applesauce, spices (cinnamon is king!), baking powder/soda, eggs, butter/oil.
Get creative: No bananas? Use applesauce. No chocolate chips? Cocoa + sugar works magic. The point is improvisation!
Track the wins: Note what you’d normally buy (a box of cookies? $5. Muffins from the bakery? $6+). It adds up fast.
Rules for fun: No grocery runs for baking ingredients. Focus on comfort — think warm spices, chewy textures, and that “house smells amazing” vibe.
Here are my 7 favorite cozy bakes — all simple, forgiving, and made from pantry staples. Each one fills the house with winter magic!
1. Classic Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Chewy, nostalgic, and perfect with a mug of tea on a chilly day. These are a crowd-pleaser every time.
Ingredients (makes ~24 cookies):
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar (white or brown)
1 egg
1 cup oats
1 tsp baking soda
Optional: dash of vanilla/cinnamon if you have it
Steps: Mix everything in one bowl, drop spoonfuls onto a lined sheet, bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes. Cool on rack. Savings: ~$4–6 vs. store-bought.
2. Banana Bread (or Applesauce Bread Backup)
The ultimate cozy scent: cinnamon wafting through the house on a chilly day.
Ingredients (1 loaf):
3 overripe bananas (mashed) or 1 cup applesauce
1 ½ cups flour
¾ cup sugar
⅓ cup oil or melted butter
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
Cinnamon/nutmeg to taste
Steps: Mash bananas, mix wet + dry, bake in loaf pan at 350°F for 50–60 min. Savings: $5+ (no fancy add-ins needed).
3. Fudgy Cocoa Brownies
Ultra-chocolatey and no chips required — just cocoa powder does the trick!
Ingredients (8×8 pan):
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
½ cup oil/butter
2 eggs
½ cup flour
Pinch salt
Steps: Stir together, pour into greased pan, bake 25 min at 350°F. Let cool (if you can wait!). Savings: $6–8.
4. Spiced Pumpkin Muffins
Like a warm hug in muffin form — perfect if you’ve got that leftover canned pumpkin.
Ingredients (12 muffins):
1 can pumpkin puree
1 ¾ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup oil
2 eggs
Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger
Steps: Mix, fill muffin tin, bake 20 min at 375°F. Savings: $4–5.
5. Simple Cinnamon Sugar Snickerdoodles
Soft, crackly tops and that classic cinnamon-sugar roll — zero chill time needed.
Ingredients (makes ~24):
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup butter
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
Cinnamon-sugar for rolling
Steps: Mix dough, roll balls in cinnamon-sugar, bake 10 min at 375°F. Savings: $3–5.
(Pro tip: The other two — Peanut Butter Bars and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies — are just as easy! Mix peanut butter + oats + honey for no-bake bars, or classic oats + raisins + spices for hearty cookies. Both save $4–5+ each.)
Wrapping It Up: The Sweet Savings & Cozy Payoff
By baking these 7 treats from what you already have, you could easily save $30–60+ this month (or more if you’re skipping bakery runs!). Bonus: Less waste, more creativity, and a kitchen that smells like home.
January doesn’t have to feel blah — with a little pantry magic, it’s full of warmth, sweetness, and savings. You’ve got this!
Bakes, Makes, and Saves 