To save the expense of purchased almond paste, make your own. Combine 1 cup blanched almonds, 1 tablespoon corn syrup and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in a food processor. Process until a paste forms. cake ...

Puff pastry sheets are much less expensive than refrigerated crescent rolls and will produce the same appetizing little pies. Look for these pastry sheets in the frozen food section of the grocery store. fru ...

If you keep chocolate baking squares in your pantry, use them instead of unsweetened cocoa powder to save a little money. Melt 11/4 squares with the butter in step 1, and increase the flour to 1/3 cup. choco ...

cake chocolate Christmas coffee ...

Store-brand angel food cake mixes are every bit as tasty and work just as well as their higher priced name-brand counterparts. Give the family budget a break by using the less expensive brand. berries ...

Frozen piecrusts are a boon to the busy cook. To save money, make 4 or 5 crusts at a time in foil pie plates. Cover each tightly with plastic wrap and nest them in the freezer until ready to use. berries ...

You can stretch your budget and still serve a tasty treat by purchasing generic or store-brand graham crackers instead of a nationally available brand when preparing this recipe. cookies ...

Grandma loved to finish a meal with something sweet. She would often surprise us with this refreshing peach tart after dinners in the summer. cheese fruit ...

To keep almonds fresh longer, seal them tightly in a heavy plastic bag and store them in the freezer. There is no need to thaw almonds before using them in the recipe. bar-cookies ...

Time is money, so even though shortening in stick form costs slightly more than shortening in cans, it saves in measuring and cleanup time. Simply slice off what you need and store the rest. coconut ...

If you think your shredded coconut has dried out, do not throw it away. Soak it in milk for 30 minutes, drain and blot dry with paper towels. Use both the coconut and milk in the recipe. cheese ...

These rich, chewy and utterly delightful chocolate-studded treats were a summer evening tradition at Grandma's: Blondies and coffee after dinner on the patio. bar-cookies ...