If you've ever wondered whether making your own pantry items was cheaper than buying them, then wonder no more. Jennifer Reese of Slate Magazine recently tested this theory and the results on average would probably not surprise any seasoned cook.

Reese used a basic pricing structure for some of the ingredients she had to purchase (such a flour, sugar and salt), cots of electricity and gas, while placing no value on her own time. She made bagels, cream cheese, yoghurt, jam, crackers and granola.

The final tally came up more or less even - bagels, yogurt and jam were voted "make", cream cheese, crackers and cream cheese were "buys" and granola? Although store-bought granola came out cheaper most of the time, she still likes the homemade stuff: "World-beating, super-crunchy cereal, worth every calorie and penny."

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