I have just found a bag of flour that has been hiding in the back of the pantry. But it is almost expired. I want to use it.....................any ideas? I am making a bunch of muffins to freeze.

It has never occurred to me that flour 'expires'...I would risk it and use it. I think it's probably fine!

Found this for ya:

"The shelf life of flour? White flour can be stored for 12 months at room temperature in an airtight container or indefinitely in the freezer, says the baking flour giant King Arthur Flour. A couple of bay leaves inside the container discourages pests. Whole wheat flour, on the other hand, lasts only three months at room temperature, six months in the refrigerator and 12 months in the freezer before the oil in the wheat germ can become rancid.

The sugar? In a closed container stored in a dry climate, white granulated sugar lasts indefinitely. Its shelf life is largely determined by its hardness. Brown sugar, however, has a shelf life of about two years before it takes on a bricklike texture."

I never knew that flour expired either. If it is close I would still use it . Most things are still good for quite awhile after their expiration date.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Taste it. If it tastes 'off' or rancid then I wouldn't use it. If it tastes fine, go ahead. The only real problem with old flour is it won't be as nutritious as the fresher stuff. Personally, I like my calories to count in the nutrition department. However, I don't think there will be a loss of protein in older flour so that will still be useful.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Why don't you make up some batches of cookies or cake that you use at Christmas. It will save you some time then!

Homemade bread takes a bunch of flour.