10 Things You Buy at the Grocery Store That You Should Be Making At Home

No more Nutella.

February 16, 2014

Image via Complex Original

We take a lot of our grocery store favorites at face value. Packaged up in fancy bottles and boxes, covered in shiny labels, printed with too-long ingredient lists, we almost forget that they are real food. With real recipes. That we could theoretically recreate ourselves. Sometimes, translating theory into practice is difficult. This is not one of those times. It turns out that most of our favorite grocery store purchases can be whipped up at home with less expense, less ingredients, and more flavor than the originals. So, take the Sriracha and the Nutella out of your cart and get cooking.

Lionel Vatinet's Classic Ciabatta

Crispy crust, tender, holey interior, flavorful and moist throughout. Make a panini, croutons, or just tear it in hunks from the loaf. Get the recipe on Food52.

Homemade Nutella

Even more chocolatey and addictive than the real thing, and with much deeper hazelnut notes. Get the recipe on Food52.

Basic Coffee Creamer

This coffee creamer is delicious. It uses only two ingredients and provides the perfect base for any flavors you can dream up, whether that be spiced vanilla bean, Frazier fir, or anything else you might be craving. Get the recipe on Food52.

Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch

If you're going to indulge your inner 5-year-old, you might as well go big. This cereal is cinnamony, sweet, light, and flaky. It's just like the real stuff, only better. Get the recipe on Food52.

Basil Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

This tangy rendition of ranch is packed with herbs and has enough body to coat greens and vegetables, but not overpower them. In this recipe there's some yogurt to lighten the mix, and basil brings extra fragrance and sweetness, while the paprika lends a smoky note. Get the recipe on Food52.

Homemade Stock

Homemade stock beats store-bought stock every time and that's a fact—plus it couldn't be easier to make. With just a few roughly chopped vegetables and some chicken carcasses (waste not, want not), you've got a healthy, flavorful, incredibly delicious stock. Learn how on Food52.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

You can customize your peanut butter cups in a number of ways. Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Sprinkle the tops with a little sea salt. Add a dash of cayenne. They're more grown-up, and way more delicious. Get the recipe on Food52.

Homemade Nut Butters

When it comes to fancy nut butters, homemade is most definitely the way to go. The flavors are endlessly adaptable—maple roasted almond butter, nut butter spiked with ginger and honey—and your wallet will thank you for it. Get the recipe on Food52.