Holiday Baking: Flour and Sugar Per Ounce

Dealophant checked both lists on Nov 13, 5:30 PM UTC. Holiday baking means big batches of cookies, pies and breads, so a small difference per ounce adds up over a full season of recipes.

What is the cheapest flour per ounce?

Among the 5 flours on our list, the lowest price per ounce right now belongs to Amazon Grocery, All Purpose Flour, 5 Lb, at $0.026 per oz. It costs $2.07 for 80 oz. Here is the full ranking:

• Amazon Grocery, All Purpose Flour, 5 Lb: $0.026 per oz ($2.07 for 80 oz)
• Amazon Grocery, Enriched Bread Flour, Unbleached, 5 Lb: $0.034 per oz ($2.72 for 80 oz)
• 365 by Whole Foods Market, All Purpose Flour, 80 Ounce: $0.044 per oz ($3.49 for 80 oz)
• King Arthur, Organic 100% Bread Flour, Unbleached, 5 lb...: $0.097 per oz ($7.76 for 80 oz)
• Gold Medal All Purpose Flour, 3 lb Resealable Bag: $0.100 per oz ($4.79 for 48 oz)

What is the cheapest sugar per ounce?

Among the 5 sugars on our list, the lowest price per ounce right now belongs to Amazon Saver, White Sugar, 4 Lb, at $0.046 per oz. It costs $2.97 for 64 oz. Here is the full ranking:

• Amazon Saver, White Sugar, 4 Lb: $0.046 per oz ($2.97 for 64 oz)
• 365 by Whole Foods Market, Cane Sugar, 64 Ounce: $0.068 per oz ($4.38 for 64 oz)
• 365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Cane Sugar, 64 Ounce: $0.11 per oz ($7.19 for 64 oz)
• 365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Sugar, 32 Ounce: $0.15 per oz ($4.79 for 32 oz)
• Domino Premium Pure Cane Granulated Sugar, 16 oz Canister...: $0.20 per oz ($39.14 for 192 oz)

Is the biggest bag always the cheapest per ounce?

No. A larger bag often lowers the cost per ounce, but not in every case. Look at the sugar list above: the bag listed at 64 oz comes in at $0.068 per oz, while the bag listed at 64 oz comes in at $0.046 per oz. The sticker price alone says very little, which is why Dealophant divides the total price by the net weight in ounces. Every bag is then measured the same way.

How should you shop for holiday baking staples?

Start with the recipe, not the price. Make sure the flour and sugar on your list match what the recipe calls for, then compare only those options by price per ounce.

Buy what you will realistically use. Flour and sugar keep well when sealed and stored dry, but a bag you never open saves nothing, however low the price per ounce.

Open the price history for any item to see whether today's price is normal or a real low. Holiday demand can move prices, and popular bags can sell out. Check the size on the Amazon page before you order, since the same item is often sold in several sizes.

Want the full lists? See every baking flour ranked live and every sugar ranked live. You can also browse the lowest unit prices across Amazon or read how Dealophant calculates price per unit.