Last week while driving home along the hilly, curvy road I saw something that made me smile. I’m talking about a big, big smile. I spotted leaves turning!!! First, I’m thrilled to see another sign fall is on its way. Second, I’m excited that this year thanks to all the rain we’ll have a beautiful, colorful fall. I’m ready for sweaters, boots, and socks. And I’m ready to bake.

Chilly autumn weather is not that far away and it makes me want to get all cozy and bake. The last thing I want to do is to have to dash out to the grocery store because I’m missing one ingredient for the recipe I want to bake. I just want to tie on my apron and get baking.

Now is a great time to review my baking pantry and make sure I have everything on hand so when I make a spur-of-the-moment decision to whip something up I have everything I need on hand. This is where Hope Early, my fictional character and food blogger in THE UNINVITED CORPSE, are very much alike. I know she’d approve of my list.

Twenty Must-Haves For My Fall Baking Pantry

1. Flours: Unbleached All-purpose flour, Whole-Wheat flour, Cake flour, Oat flour, Gluten-free flour
2. Baking Powder
3. Baking Soda
4. Sugars: White granulated sugar, powered sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar
5. Unsweetened cocoa powder
6. Evaporated Milk & Sweet Condensed Milk
7. Pure Vanilla extract
8. Dried fruit: Raisins, cherries, apricots, dates
9. Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cardamom, cloves, vanilla bean
10. Maple syrup
11. Honey
12. Molasaaes
13. Corn syrup
14. Cornstarch
15. Unflavored gelatin
16. Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts
17. Baking chocolate: unsweetened, bittersweet, milk chocolate, white chocolate
18. Unflavored gelatin
19. Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts
20. Canned pumpkin (many, many cans)

Those are the must-haves in my kitchen for my fall baking. I know with these staples I can whip up something yummy on the spur of the moment. What are some of your must-haves in your kitchen?