Simple Swaps: Whole Wheat Flour

I used to think that if I switched to whole wheat flour, I’d still have to use white flour in addition to the whole wheat.  I recently discovered White Whole Wheat Flour (unbleached) and Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pastry Flour Whole Wheat, 5-Pound (Pack of 4).  I use these flours to completely replace white flour in recipes, there’s no need to go half and half.  This is great, as whole wheat flour recipes are hard to find.  You can just use these flours in any of your recipes, replacing the white flour.

Why? Whole wheat flour contains all of it’s natural nutrients, unlike white flour, which is stripped of it’s nutrients and replaced with synthetic versions.  It is a lot kinder on blood sugar levels and contains more protein.  White whole wheat flour is unbleached and is milled from white wheat instead of red wheat and mimics bleached white flour in baking.  Whole wheat pastry flour is ground extra to give it a softer, finer consistency, more similar to refined white flour.

Swapping Frugally: I buy Meijer Naturals White Whole Wheat Flour.  The price is $2.99 for 5 lbs, but can often be found on sale.  Meijer also runs promotions throughout the year, offering cash back on Meijer Natural purchases, so that is a good time to stock up.  Meijer Naturals commits to using non-GMO ingredients in their line.  Be sure to sign up for Meijer MPerks, as they sometimes offer coupons on this product.

Arrowhead Mills makes both WW pastry flour and White WW flour.  Currently there is $1 off coupon at Mambo Sprouts.  This brand can be found at Whole Foods.

Another good way to stock up is by using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program.  Currently you can get Bob’s Red Mill Organic Pastry Flour Whole Wheat, 5-Pound (Pack of 4) for $19.22.  Even better, if you sign up for a free 3 month trial of Amazon Mom,  and buy 5 or more Subscribe and Save items in a month, you can save an additional 15%, bringing the price down to $16.18, or about $4 per 5 pounds of organic flour.  Subscribe and Save is a free program that can be cancelled at any time.  Choose this option when checking out to receive the discounted price.  To cancel, after delivery, go to your Subscribe and Save items and choose cancel.  Each month I buy 5 or more items through this program, save 20% off the already discounted price and I don’t even have to leave my house.  Plus, if you sign up for Amazon Mom, you will automatically receive 20% off diapers and wipes.  It’s a great program.

I will be posting my favorite whole wheat chocolate chip cookie recipe soon!