I’ve been on an organizing kick lately. You know…in my spare time. It all started when someone, not naming any names (cough *Amy* cough) mentioned a blog called I Heart Organizing. I’m pretty sure that, once introduced, I spent about three straight days on Jen’s site. I have been hooked ever since and have found a plethora of other inspiring organizing sites as well.
Since then, I have been making small changes around here. A cupboard here, a drawer there. My home is far from fully organized but I have found that the minor changes I make have a big impact on the amount of time I spend on daily tasks.
Why am I telling you all this? Because I finally bit the bullet and organized my baking cupboard! You’d think I would have done that space first considering my love of baking. However, it was such a mess that I kept putting it off, thinking it would take too much time. Really though, it only took me a few hours, and that was with four kiddos in tow! Would you like to see it?
Here is the embarrassing ”before” picture…
I know…it’s not pretty. Let me walk you through the issues here.
- Top shelf – This is where I keep my less frequently used baking supplies. Cookie cutters, food coloring, cake decorating. etc. It’s also where I throw, quite literally, other random baking items that don’t belong on the other shelves. Cupcake liners? Toss them up to the top shelf…and hope that they don’t come falling back down on me. Yes, I did just admit that I do that.
- Middle shelf – This is where I store flours and sugars. The trouble with this shelf is that I constantly have to remove the flour to get to the sugar or vice versa. I am always shuffling things around to get to what I need. I have done this for years. Why, oh why, did I not change this sooner!
- Bottom shelf – Everything else. Baking powder, soda, cornstarch, vanilla, salt, etc. I have no idea what those sprinkles are doing down there as that is clearly a top shelf item.
Ready for the “after”? Ta da!
Ahhh…isn’t that better? Here is what I did…
- Top shelf – My biggest accomplishment here was figuring out a solution for my cookie cutters. They fit perfectly in one layer of the stacking storage container. The other layer contains sprinkles, food coloring, candles, etc. I also threw a couple of stacking baskets onto that shelf to coral other cake decorating and miscellaneous items.
- Middle shelf – This is my favorite part! I purchased tall, thin containers that fit the space perfectly. Now I can see everything at once and just reach up and grab it. No more shuffling things around to get to something else. So nice!
- Bottom shelf – I put a couple more of those sweet stacking baskets on this shelf…one for baking chips and one for pudding/jello mixes, etc. Then I went through the rest of my supplies to make sure they were up to date. Now, I know exactly what is there!
Thanks for tagging along while I organized my baking cupboard:-) Of course, you know I wouldn’t leave you without a recipe right? During my little project I discovered a random bag of miscellaneous bite-size candy bars. I decided to use them up and created the most delicious recipe. This tart will be just the thing if you happen to find yourself with some extra candy on hand…oh…say right around the end of the month. It was so ooey gooey good! A scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of butterscotch sauce finished it off perfectly.
Butterscotch Candy Bar Brownie Tart
- 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chopped mini candy-bars (whatever variety you like)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large microwave safe dish melt butter and butterscotch chips, 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk again until well-blended. Stir in flour and salt. Add chopped candy bars and combine. Pour into a greased 9 inch cake or tart pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown on top and a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs.
Marvelous topped with ice cream and butterscotch sauce!!
Organizing Sources ~ All containers were purchased at Target. The labels are downloadable for free from Better Homes and Gardens.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Love how organized your pantry is. I wish mine looked that good. And I wish I had this plate in front of me.
You mail tarts, right?
This looks amazing!
Will you list where you got your containers? the cute green stackables, the cookie cutter/sprinkles container, and the tall vertical containers?!?!? or just email me. thanks!!!!!
Hi Kate! Thanks, I meant to mention that and just forgot! I will update my post with that information:-)
I wanted to know where you got your containers too
You so organized!! i think i should get you during your spare time come help me with my kitchen too, its a jungle in there
What a way to make tart, mouth watering!!
I think you just motivated me to reorganize my stuff! Love your big Kirkland vanilla and I just recently bought my first big Kirkland cinnamon. What is crazy is I am sure I will need a new one sooner than I expect. I wish the same wish about my cupcake liners too.
Nerdy Baker ~ Oh yes! It’s very important to keep a full supply of vanilla and cinnamon on hand;-) Happy organizing!
Thanks Ali! The tart is really good!
I am jealous of your organization. My cupboards are a hot mess right now! I think this tart will make it all better though.
Hey Jamie! Dessert makes everything better doesn’t it?
Nice organizing job! I miss Butterfinger so much when I’m away from the States… if I ever get a craving for candy, it’s always for Butterfinger. I bet it would go really well in that Butterscotch tart! What sort of candy did you use?
Hi Emiglia – I love Butterfingers too! They would be great in this! I believe I used a combination of Snickers, Mounds, and Nestle Crunch:-)
I made his and it was fantastic. I’m having friends over and want to double the recipe…do you think it would work to bake same time/temp? Great recipe!
I’m so glad you liked it Gia! To double, I would leave the temp the same and just bake a bit longer. Maybe 5-10 minutes? Just keep an eye on it. Happy Baking:-)
I know that you made this post months ago, but I found your organized cabinet through the all-powerful, great, and revered Pinterest recently. I am in the process of installing a new kitchen and I just wanted you to know that I am using your picture of an organized baking cabinet as a model for my baking cabinet. My now former baking cabinet(s), shelves, nooks and crannies are going to be organized into one central location. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful Terri! I am still in love with my baking cabinet. It is a breeze to keep organized and it is super convenient to have all of my baking supplies in one spot:-) I hope you love your new kitchen!