Frugal Fall Recipes & Money-Saving Tips: Apple Cider & Caramel!
Trying new recipes with things that I might normally buy is always a fun and rewarding experience, especially when I can make use of ingredients I already have at home.
Not only does it save money, but it also means I don’t have to pay the inflated prices we’re seeing these days.
I promised some new recipes for the fall, so let's get started on making our homes smell amazing with some frugal treats that your family will love.
Table of contents
1. Homemade Apple Cider
Today, we’re making homemade apple cider!
I had five apples that were starting to get a little soft, so I cored them and covered them with water. To that, I added two teaspoons of allspice, two teaspoons of cinnamon, a quarter cup of white sugar, and two tablespoons of brown sugar.
After bringing this mixture to a boil, I let it simmer for two hours.
Once done, I strained the apple cider and enjoyed the cooked apples as a delicious treat just as they were—baked apples! If you’re making this for a larger family, you’ll probably need more than five apples, but this was perfect for just the two of us.
2. Storing Dried Beans in Jars
Lately, I've been taking on little projects around the house. I took all my dried beans and placed them into empty jars, which I think makes everything look more pleasing to the eye.
Some of these jars are antique ketchup bottles, which I repurposed as bookends years ago. I think it’s so cool—let me know what you think!
Discover 14+ more homemade "Gift in a Jar" ideas you can easily make for your loved ones here.
3. Homemade Gifts
Speaking of old things, does anyone remember storing things in cigar boxes? My sister-in-law made one for me as a birthday gift when I was young, and I still have it. Nowadays, kids might ask, "Where’s the real present?" but back then, simple things like that brought so much joy.
She crafted the box from a cigar container, glued reused birthday cards to the inside for support, and shellacked the outside. It's been stored for over 50 years now, and I ran across it while decluttering.
It even had some of my old track ribbons in it, along with other keepsakes from my childhood. I treasure things like this because they remind me of how we valued the little things growing up.
For more DIY present ideas for loved ones, check out 10 Homemade Gift Ideas From the Great Depression next.
4. Old Cookbooks
On the topic of valuing the little things, I still use old cookbooks to try out new recipes. In fact, I have a couple of Depression-era cookbooks that I've written in myself to preserve family recipes (see the links in the video description box here).
These old-fashioned cookbooks are a great way to stretch your food budget by using what you already have at home. Sure, you can look online for recipes, but I find that many sites promote new products or advertisements. For me, there’s nothing quite like flipping through a hard-copy cookbook.
More Recipes From the Great Depression
Read our guides to... 5 Hearty & Frugal Fall Recipes Inspired by the Great Depression:
5. Homemade Caramel
Next up, I’ll share another recipe that has become a favorite in my kitchen—homemade caramel sauce. Did you know October is National Caramel Month? To celebrate, I’m making caramel sauce to store in the pantry. For this recipe, I used five cans of sweetened condensed milk, a teaspoon of salt, and two tablespoons of vanilla.
I opted for smaller jelly jars this time around, as the pint jars I used before were a bit too big for what I needed.
After mixing the ingredients, I ladled the mixture into the jars, leaving about an inch of headspace.
Then I cleaned the rims with a bit of vinegar to ensure a good seal, put on the lids, and processed the jars in a water bath for eight to ten hours in my crockpot.
The end result? Delicious caramel sauce that’s perfect for coffee or as a sweet treat!
6. How to Make Your Food Budget Stretch
Since retiring last October, I’ve been finding creative ways to stretch my food budget. I’ve learned I need much less than I thought I did.
Back when I was working, I often bought things out of convenience, but now that I have the time, I can see that I have months' worth of food right here at home. I’ve started picking up a few things here and there for Thanksgiving, too.
Aldi and Walmart have off-brand pumpkin for around $1.15 to $1.19 a can, and I found mini marshmallows for just 95 cents at Aldi. I’ve already made a list, and I’m watching for sales on the things I still need.
Even with inflation, I’ve found that by making a little effort, it’s easier than I expected to stretch my grocery budget. I hope that the tips I share here are helpful for anyone on a fixed income or parents who are juggling a busy schedule. The meals and treats I share on this channel are budget-friendly, nutritious, and often made with things you already have at home.
I hope you found this helpful! If you enjoy these kinds of videos, please give me a thumbs up, subscribe, and stick around for more. Thanks for watching!
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