Shopping List: Holiday Baking Essentials & Where to Get Them

Introduction: Bake the Joy, Skip the Stress

There’s nothing like the smell of cookies baking or the tradition of making holiday treats with loved ones. But if you’ve ever been halfway through a recipe and realized you forgot the cinnamon—or worse, the butter—you know how fast the holiday spirit can turn into a scramble.

That’s where I can help.

As a personal shopper, I help clients prepare for the season by picking up everything they need for holiday baking—from pantry staples to specialty items and festive extras.

Here’s your guide to what to buy, where to find it, and how I can take the stress off your plate so you can focus on what really matters: making memories.

1. Holiday Baking Essentials Checklist

Whether you’re making sugar cookies, pumpkin bread, or your famous pecan pie, most recipes call for the same foundational ingredients. Here’s what to keep stocked:

Dry Goods

All-purpose flour
Baking powder & baking soda
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Powdered (confectioners’) sugar
Cocoa powder

Spices & Flavorings

Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ginger
Cloves
Vanilla extract
Almond extract

Wet & Refrigerated Items

Eggs
Butter (salted & unsalted)
Whole milk or cream
Sour cream or yogurt
Buttermilk (or lemon/vinegar for DIY version)

Specialty Additions

Chocolate chips or baking bars
Nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds)
Dried fruits (cranberries, raisins, dates)
Sprinkles, icing, food coloring

Tools & Extras

Parchment paper
Aluminum foil
Cupcake liners
Mixing bowls & measuring cups
Pie tins, cookie cutters, cooling racks

2. Where I Shop for the Best Holiday Baking Ingredients

Not all stores carry everything—or at the quality you want during the holidays. Here’s where I go for baking success:

Stater Bros. & Ralphs

Great for: Reliable basics like flour, sugar, and butter.

They typically have solid inventory and competitive sales on core ingredients.

Trader Joe’s

Great for: Unique holiday add-ins and seasonal flavors.

Think peppermint chocolate, festive sprinkles, or gingerbread mix.

Sprouts Farmers Market

Great for: Organic flours, natural sugars, and specialty spices.

They also carry gluten-free and vegan baking alternatives.

Target & Walmart

Great for: Baking tools, foil, containers, cupcake liners, and seasonal baking decor.

Perfect for stocking up on both ingredients and supplies in one trip.

Costco or Sam’s Club

Great for: Bulk baking supplies (sugar, butter, chocolate chips)

Ideal if you’re baking in large quantities or making treat boxes for neighbors, friends, or coworkers.

3. How I Make Holiday Baking Easier

The holidays are busy enough. I help by:

Shopping your baking list from the store(s) of your choice
Finding specialty items or brands you prefer
Recommending substitutes if something is sold out
Offering scheduled or same-day delivery (within 15 miles of Rancho Cucamonga)

You can send your final list closer to baking day, or reach out early to reserve a spot on my schedule and finalize the details later.

And if you’re a returning client? I probably already know which brands you love or how much butter you go through during cookie season 😉

Local to Rancho Cucamonga? Let Me Do the Shopping

From Christmas cookies to Thanksgiving pies, I’ll shop for your holiday baking needs—so you can skip the crowded stores and stay focused on the fun part.

👉 Click here to schedule your baking grocery delivery

Not Local? Here’s How to Shop Smart for Holiday Baking

Check your pantry and make a master list of baking staples
Shop early—baking aisles sell out quickly during peak season
Choose one or two “hero recipes” to focus on (instead of trying to bake it all)
Buy bulk for ingredients you’ll use in multiple recipes
Don’t forget storage containers and labels for gift-giving treats

Final Thoughts: Bake More, Stress Less

The holidays should be sweet, not stressful. Let me take the grocery list off your hands so you can focus on the fun, the flavors, and the joy of baking something special.

👉 Ready to get started? Let’s make this season easier.