Is homemade bread REALLY cheaper?

mioliere

Home made every time for me. I bought my breadmaker about three years ago and have used it constantly. I moved to France last year (meant to be the home of the best bread in the world, apparently!) and have tried various types of French bread, but we much prefer the home made. It's been a while since I costed it but the last time I did, it always worked out a lot cheaper, plus you know exactly what you're putting into it when you make it yourself. The third link here makes interesting reading and might help you to make up your mind.

• Bread Making Method - How to Bake Your Own Bread
• Shaping Loaves of Bread - Different Shapes of Bread
• Chorleywood Industrial Bread Making - What's wrong with supermarket bread

SailorSam

Since i've started making my own bread the only time i bother with shop bought stuff is when they are Bogof, i agree that Hm is not always cheaper but the taste is so much better. The big problem with Hm bread a the Op mentioned is slicing it. However earlier this week there was a thread on here pointing out that Argos had slicers on offer for £14.99, i already had a £5 voucher so for less than a tenner i bought one and used it for the first time yesterday ......... it's great, so more slices to the loaf now, the loaf goes further, so in effect Hm is cheaper.

Penelope_Penguin

SailorSam wrote: »

Argos had slicers on offer for £14.99, i already had a £5 voucher so for less than a tenner ........ it's great, so more slices to the loaf now, the loaf goes further, so in effect Hm is cheaper.

Only if by slicing thinner you eat less bread (ie still eat the same number of slices). IME, fresh HM bread is so yummy, you'll eat twice as much, so it works out more expensive

maltesers_2

SailorSam wrote: »

The big problem with Hm bread a the Op mentioned is slicing it. However earlier this week there was a thread on here pointing out that Argos had slicers on offer for £14.99, i already had a £5 voucher so for less than a tenner i bought one and used it for the first time yesterday ......... it's great, so more slices to the loaf now, the loaf goes further, so in effect Hm is cheaper.

Thank you so much for that - I have reserved one from Argos.

I quite often buy artisan loaves from Waitrose when reduced and slice (a crumby hassle) and freeze them this will help so much.

Finefoot

HM bread is soo much nicer, and as there are no added preservatives, I think would be healthier too.
I use an electric knife to slice with. less space to store than a slicer.

Penelope_Penguin

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing thread to give you more ideas.

mrssnowy_2

HM bread is far more filling,so you don't need as many slices per loaf-IYKWIM.
Bought white strong flour from Lidl a few weeks ago,think it was 60p a bag,DH doesn't do wholemeal.
I don't have a BM, just a big Kenw,never takes long to make bread now as I never weigh anything,just sling it all in-after a while you recognise the quantities needed.
Use up odd fridge bits-porridge,made up or dry oats,mashed veg,fat off stock,veg water,all adds to the flavour-and so makes it cheaper and a good recycler.
So ,yes it is cheaper and convenient,cos if you have all the bits in you don't need to go to a shop :rotfl:,so you don't spend any extra.

mrss

savingmoney2011

I'm considering making bread at home, since I am getting bored of cakes and really they are unhealthy.

Is it cheaper to bake breads at home than purchasng them from the shop? I normally go for Kingsmill and Hovis and don't know how much it would cost for making bread at home in general vs buying bread.

Linda32

Hi, I understand its cheaper to make bread at home than buy it, but I've personally never got the knack of bread making, so rather than waste ingredients, I buy bread, the same as you buy as it happens.

lynzpower

It is definately cheaper to make bread than buy it. However In my experience biscuits are not cheaper to make (esp f using butter) it can work out about the same sometimes a fair bit more. Cakes generally are cheaper but making eg a home made cheesecake can work out about 3 pounds- obv a LOT nicer than a shop one, but you can get some shop ones for £1.
Just an example, I think it depends what you make.

HM flapjacks are a lot cheaper than bought
as are fairy cakes
dont get me started on so called "cupcakes" revolution where places round me are chaging upwards of £2 each !
so are muffins unless you use something thats now exp and well out of season eg blueberry muffins a lot more exp now than a few weeks ago due to cost of fruit
We use normal plain flour in our breadmaker (value) adn gives a lighter result than strong flour which I find far too heavy
However, as they are not crammed with preservatives, salt and all manner fo stabilising agents, youll find they go stale pretty quickly.

However, I dont really eat bread at the mo, but OH does buy sliced loaves and freezes them, and this has saved money but I personally find sliced bread from a shop a bit carp compared to HM. He find HM bread wont go in the breville for a toasted sandwich!"