Worst States to Be in During the Fuel Crisis This Winter

Back in the spring, a lot of us thought the trouble with Iran would be over in a few weeks. Now gas averages around $4.27 a gallon, and diesel costs more than $6 in many places. Then in mid-October, drivers in Omaha and Lincoln went to fill up and found the pumps empty.

The Strait of Hormuz has been mostly closed for months, so that oil never reaches the market. And Gulf Coast refineries moved their maintenance to this fall, right when harvest pushes diesel demand to its peak. That’s why empty pumps may not stay a Nebraska-only problem for long.

In August, I wrote a piece called Avoid These States in the Next Fuel Crisis, and back then much of it still read like a warning. But in just two months, those warnings turned into empty pumps and record prices. So I went back through the latest numbers to show you how bad things got since then. And I also looked at how much harder it could hit this winter, as we head into 2027.

In some states, you’ll just pay more every time you fill up. But in others, you could be driving from town to town on an almost empty tank. And back home, your heating oil could run low just as the cold sets in.

California: Highest Gas Prices and Shrinking Refinery Capacity

If you filled up in Los Angeles this week, you paid about $6.08 a gallon for regular, and diesel ran close to $8.50. Back in August, regular in California averaged $5.64 a gallon, and diesel averaged $7.13. So in just two months, gas went up more than 40 cents, and diesel jumped well over a dollar.

And the state has fewer refineries to fall back on, after Phillips 66 shut its Los Angeles plant in October 2025 and Valero closed Benicia in 2026. That leaves six refineries to make the special CARB blend the state requires. So more of California’s fuel now arrives by tanker, and one late ship can thin out supply along the whole coast. If one of those six refineries has a fire or an unplanned outage, you could sit in a two-hour gas line in Sacramento with a quarter tank and a doctor’s appointment across town.

So before you end up in that line, find out which are the best types of fuel to keep at home and how to store them properly

Nebraska: Empty Gas Pumps in Omaha and Lincoln

Prices in Omaha and Lincoln stayed close to the national average, and that’s why the empty pumps caught people off guard. Then in mid-October, stations across both metros ran out of fuel. Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order on October 19 to get more trucks moving. It waives hours-of-service limits for fuel haulers and lets them run up to 10% over weight limits through November 18.

Even so, haulers told local news they’re driving west to find fuel and waiting in long lines at terminals. Harvest pushed diesel demand to its peak, and every load of diesel on a truck leaves less room for gasoline. So out past the metros, your pickup competes with combines and grain trucks for the same deliveries.

That’s why I started making my own diesel from old cooking oil. Once you learn the backyard biodiesel method, your truck stops depending on whether the hauler shows up this week. Just make sure you work outside, because the lye and methanol in the mix can burn your skin and catch fire easily. So set up well away from the house, where kids and pets can’t wander over while you’re working. 

And if you’d like to watch it done before you try it yourself, the video below takes you through the whole process step by step:

Hawaii: One Refinery and an Ocean Between You and Resupply

Out in the middle of the Pacific, drivers pay around $5.65 a gallon, second only to California. And the whole state runs on one refinery, Par Hawaii in Kapolei, fed with crude through a single mooring buoy off Barbers Point. From there, the neighbor islands depend on barges for their share.

That chain has very little backup. If the buoy gets damaged or a tanker runs late, an entire island chain feels it, and there’s no next state to drive to for a fill-up. Hawaii also gets about 93% of its jet fuel from South Korea, which pulls roughly 70% of its crude through Hormuz. And since the islands burn oil to make electricity, a fuel squeeze shows up on your power bill too. On Maui or the Big Island, a late barge can leave your local station dry while Honolulu still has fuel.

Luckily, I found a way to keep my lights on even when the power plant runs short of oil. And on a sunny day, even during winter, this innovative solar setup stores enough power to run my lights and radio well into the night. So when the grid goes dark, I can still see around the house and hear the news until the next tanker comes in. 

And if the grid goes down, the pumps that push water to your tap can stop too. So you’ll want to know how to turn a flower pot into a water purifier before the faucet runs dry.

Nevada: A Desert State Running on California’s Fuel

Gas in Las Vegas and Reno averaged about $5.34 this week, the fourth-highest in the country. Both cities still get their fuel by pipeline from California refineries. So every problem over there, including the Benicia closure, shows up at Nevada pumps too.

Still, the rural counties carry the bigger risk, because tanker trucks cover long stretches of empty highway to reach small-town stations along routes like US 50. So if the station in Austin or Eureka runs dry, the next open pump could be more than an hour away. And on a cold November night in the high desert, running out of gas between towns with no cell signal can turn dangerous fast.

In a blackout, your flashlight and weather radio quickly become the most precious things in your stockpile. But every hour they run, you burn through batteries you can’t restock until the grid comes back. And chances are you don’t know exactly how many good ones you have left, or how long they’ll hold.

So it pays to learn how to bring dead batteries back to life before the lights go out. You can start with the battery revival project in No Grid Survival Projects (p. 64 and 65), and keep it ready for the next outage. Then again, if you want someone to walk you through every step, the EZ Battery revival class shows you how to restore everything from small AA cells to car batteries. Enroll here before November 15th, and you’ll lock in the discount while it’s still available. 

Alaska: Rural Villages Supplied by Barge Before Freeze-Up

Up in Anchorage, regular runs around $4.89 a gallon, which sounds mild next to California. But city prices hide what happens off Alaska’s road system. Many rural villages get their entire winter supply of gasoline and heating fuel by barge. And once the rivers and coastline freeze, that delivery window closes until spring.

So whatever price a village paid this summer, at the height of the crisis, stays locked in all winter. If a barge came up short, there’s no highway to send a truck down. If you live in a river village, you could spend February rationing stove oil at 30 below, with the next delivery months away.

That’s why you shouldn’t burn precious fuel just to see at night. Instead, you can make your own homemade oil lamp from things already in the house, and it stays lit with the biodiesel you make from cooking oil that I mentioned in the chapter above.

You can also learn how to recycle wax into long-burning candles, so every drop in the tank goes toward heat.

North Dakota: Record Diesel Prices in Farm Country

On September 29, diesel averaged about $6.17 a gallon across North Dakota, and the state declared an emergency over diesel supply. So Gov. Kelly Armstrong let farmers run cheaper red-dyed diesel on highways through November 30. That saves them 19 cents a gallon in state tax, and it barely dents the bill. NDSU estimates North Dakota farms will spend roughly $100 million more on diesel this year.

Then comes winter, and the state has been here before. Back in February 2025, a cold snap left North Dakota extremely low on propane and petroleum products. This year, fuel goes into the cold season already tight and expensive. For a farmhouse 40 miles from town, a delivery truck stuck behind a blizzard can leave the furnace running on the last few inches in the tank.

And many oil and propane furnaces need electricity to run the blower, so a downed power line can shut off your heat with a full tank. But I have a trick for that. I put together Ron’s famous modular generator that keeps the furnace fan going, and I can add pieces to it as my needs grow.

Maine and New England: Heating Oil at Record Highs

Of all the places on this list, New England could be the most dangerous, since so many homes there heat with oil. About 3.4 million Northeast households heat with oil, roughly 82% of all oil-heated homes in the country. Heating oil in New England averaged about $6.11 a gallon on October 19. That’s up 77% from a year ago.

And the storage tanks are running low. In mid-October, distillate stocks in New England sat about 45% below their five-year average. Distillate covers both diesel and heating oil, so truckers and homeowners pull from the same shrinking supply. The Department of Energy agreed to loan up to 315,000 barrels from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, though that only adds about 13% to regional supply.

So filling a standard 275-gallon tank now runs more than $1,600, and the coldest months haven’t even started. Then picture a January cold snap in Bangor, with the oil dealer a week behind on deliveries. An elderly couple could be closing off rooms and sleeping in their coats while the pipes freeze in the walls.

And if oil prices keep climbing, you can lean on 10 old ways to heat your home that need neither fuel nor electricity.

Other States Already Under Emergency Orders 

And the trouble reaches well past the seven states above. South Dakota’s governor signed an order on September 28 letting farmers haul crops and livestock at 10% over weight limits. That same order has the state watching fuel supplies in case dyed diesel runs short. Meanwhile, diesel sits around $6.17 in Iowa and $6.23 in Minnesota, so farm families there pay nearly as much as North Dakota does. 

Out east, Maryland got hit just as hard. Diesel there set a record of about $6.47 on October 5, up 76% in a year. Four days later, Gov. Wes Moore let farm and forestry vehicles run on dyed diesel. So if you live along the East Coast, you’re drawing from the same thin supply as New England, and a delivery truck running late could hit you just as hard. 

How to Prepare for a Fuel Shortage in 2027

Living in one of these states, you can’t fix a refinery fire or speed up a late barge. But you can make sure the fuel you already have still burns clean when the deliveries slow down.

So before the first cold snap, you can work through these steps one at a time: 

• Learn the rules of fuel storage first. Before you fill a single can, read up on the 7 rules of storing fuel, because one mistake can ruin your whole supply. 
• Rotate your gas cans. Keep them in a detached shed, and pour the oldest one into your truck every few months so your stock keeps turning over.
• Keep diesel tanks full. Diesel lasts longer, but condensation forms in a half-empty tank, and that water feeds a microbial growth people call diesel bug. That slime clogs filters right when you need the tractor or generator to start.
• Treat stored diesel with a biocide. It kills the growth before it spreads, so your fuel stays clean through the winter.
• Top off your oil or propane tank now. Dealers still deliver on schedule today, and that could change fast once the cold sets in.
• Set up a backup heat source. A wood stove or an indoor-rated kerosene heater can keep one room livable if the truck doesn’t show.

What to Expect From the Fuel Crisis This Winter

Still, the people who track oil for a living don’t see relief coming soon. The International Energy Agency warns diesel could stay tight well into next year, because refineries can’t replace what the world lost.

And home heat looks just as rough. The Energy Information Administration expects heating oil to cost about 34% more this winter, with East Coast stocks 20% to 30% below average. Even that grim forecast counts on a mild Northeast.

Right now, NOAA does lean toward a warmer-than-average winter across the northern U.S., thanks to a very strong El Niño. But that only shifts the odds, and one week of Arctic air in January can empty a half-full tank before the oil dealer even calls you back. 

Meanwhile, the same El Niño tilts the odds toward stormier weather across the South, from the Gulf Coast to the lower mid-Atlantic. So if ice and flooding slow the fuel trucks heading north, New England could run short in the coldest weeks of the year.

So, if the fuel stops coming and the lights go out in January, you’ll want a plan you can follow step by step. The Blackout Survival Manual walks you through a winter blackout, an EMP, and a long fuel crisis from the first hour on. You won’t have to guess what to do while the house gets colder by the minute.

This way you will learn:

• What to do in the first hour after the power goes out, before the house loses its heat
• How to keep one room warm enough to sleep in when the furnace sits dead
• How to stop your pipes from freezing and bursting while the grid stays down
• How to stretch the fuel you have when deliveries stop for weeks
• Which electronics an EMP could fry, and how you can protect them ahead of time

So before the first cold snap tests your stockpile, grab your copy of the Blackout Survival Manual and keep it somewhere you can reach in the dark.

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The post Worst States to Be in During the Fuel Crisis This Winter appeared first on Ask a Prepper.

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20 Emergency Heating Sources That Don’t Need Electricity

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Every year thousands of people around the world die from hypothermia, and most of them weren’t lost in the wilderness. They were at home in a house that got too cold.

That risk is getting harder to ignore. New data centers are going up all over the country, and they use ungodly amounts of electricity. That puts more strain on a power grid that already has trouble keeping up during winter storms.

Now, rolling blackouts and long outages are more likely than ever. If you remember what happened in Texas in 2021, you know how quickly a winter power outage can turn into a life-or-death situation.

And here’s the thing: even if you have a gas furnace, it probably won’t help you in a blackout. Most modern furnaces need electricity to run the blower fan, so when the power goes out, so does your heat.

That’s why you need a few backup options that don’t need a single watt of electricity. But you’ve got to be careful. Heating your home with anything that burns fuel comes with the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Safety has to come first.

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I recently found a great video on the YouTube channel, The Bug Out Location. It covers 20 emergency heat sources and strategies for staying warm when the grid goes down. You can watch the video and read the list below. (Note: Be sure to visit their website. TheBugOutLocation.net.)

Start With Yourself

Before you worry about heating a room, worry about heating you. Your body is the heater. The goal is to hold onto the heat it’s already making.

1. Warm Gloves

You lose a lot of heat through your hands, and once your fingers go numb, it gets hard to do even simple things. Keep a few pairs of good insulated gloves in the house, not just in the car.

2. Wool Socks

Feet matter just as much as hands. Merino wool socks are great because they stay warm even when they get a little damp, and they don’t get as stinky as synthetic socks after a few days of wear.

3. Hats and Neck Gaiters

Your head and neck are another big heat-loss zone. A warm hat (the fuzzy Elmer Fudd style with ear flaps works great) and a neck gaiter will keep a lot more heat where it belongs.

4. Hand and Foot Warmers

Disposable chemical hand warmers are cheap, need no power, and work for hours. Toss a few in your gloves, boots, or pockets, or under the blankets at the foot of your bed.

5. Layering

This one’s old advice, but it’s old because it works. Use three layers:

• Base layer: wicks sweat away from your skin
• Insulating layer: fleece or wool to trap body heat
• Outer shell: blocks wind, and it doesn’t have to be thick

Lots of thin layers beat one heavy coat because they trap more warm air, and you can add or take off a layer as needed.

6. Battery-Powered Heated Blankets and Clothing

Okay, these technically use electricity, but very little. A 10,000 mAh power bank can run a heated blanket, vest, or shawl for a few hours. A typical space heater draws 1,500 watts, so a small solar panel or a car charger can easily keep these going in an outage.

7. Mylar Emergency Blankets

They look a little gimmicky, but they really work. EMS crews and fire departments use them for a reason. Mylar doesn’t make heat. It reflects your body heat back at you. They’re best used with a sleeping bag or regular blanket, not alone. They’re dirt cheap (a 10-pack costs a few bucks), and they’re useful for plenty of other things too.

8. Body Heat (Huddle Up!)

Back in colonial times, whole families slept in one room, and that was on purpose. Every person is basically a small heater, so getting everyone into the same space makes a big difference.

Heat a Small Space, Not the Whole House

In an outage, don’t even try to heat your whole home. Pick one small space and focus all your efforts there.

9. Choose One Room in the Middle of the House

Pick a room that’s as far from the outside walls as you can get, with as few windows as possible. A bedroom in the middle of the house is ideal. The smaller the room, the easier it is to warm up.

10. Pitch a Tent Indoors

Want to go even smaller? Set up a two- or four-person tent inside that room. Lots of tents don’t need stakes, so you can set them up right on the floor. Your body heat stays in a tiny space, so it warms up fast.

11. Build a Blanket Fort

No tent? Do what you did as a kid and build a fort out of chairs and blankets. It does the same job, and your kids will probably think it’s the best power outage ever.

12. Insulate Your Windows

Windows leak a lot of heat. Cover them with window insulation plastic, then hang thick blankets or thermal curtains over them to block cold air.

13. Use South-Facing Windows for Free Solar Heat

Here’s the exception to the “cover your windows” rule. If your room has a south-facing window, open the curtains during the day and let the sun in. Even on cold days, sunlight can warm a room a lot. Just close everything back up once the sun goes down.

Emergency Heaters (From Weakest to Best)

Now let’s talk about things that actually raise the temperature in the room.

14. Clay Pot Candle Heaters

You’ve probably seen these all over the internet. Put some tealights under an upside-down terra cotta pot, and supposedly it can heat a room. The truth? You might gain a degree or two.

A candle puts out roughly 100 BTUs of heat, and a clay pot can’t change that. It just spreads the heat out more slowly. Some of the heaters below put out over 10,000 BTUs, so there’s no comparison. Fine as a last resort, but don’t count on it.

15. Canned Heat and Vesta-Style Heaters

Canned heat (like Sterno) works decently. Pair it with a stove-heater like the Vesta from InstaFire, and you’ve got a little unit with a fan on top that heats and lets you cook. In testing, one warmed a small bedroom by 6 or 7 degrees.

Cheap canned fuel puts out less heat than the high-heat versions, so the high-heat ones are worth the extra cost. They’re not the best main heat source, but they’re good to have because they do two jobs.

16. Propane Heaters

Now we’re talking. Portable propane heaters like the Mr. Heater Buddy are rated for indoor use and come with an oxygen depletion sensor and an automatic shutoff if they tip over. They run on 1-pound propane canisters, or you can hook one up to a 20-pound tank with a hose and filter.

Hunters and campers use them all the time, and they’re about as plug-and-play as it gets. Always run a carbon monoxide detector in the same room.

17. Kerosene Heaters

Kerosene heaters put out lots of heat, even a small 10,000 BTU model is plenty for one room, and some models even let you cook on top. Kerosene stores well for years if you store it properly, and it’s reasonably priced.

A few downsides: make sure the model is rated for indoor use, expect some smell and moisture, and don’t run one while everyone’s asleep. You’ll need someone awake keeping an eye on it.

18. Diesel Heaters

According to the video, this is the best option of the bunch. Diesel heaters put out a ton of heat, and diesel tends to be one of the cheapest fuels around. It’s also less volatile than other fuels and stores well for a long time.

The catch is that they need some setup. You’ll need to vent the exhaust outside, for example by putting a board with a hole drilled through it in a window opening, or by keeping the heater outside and piping the warm air in. Once it’s set up, though, a small unit can heat an average bedroom so well that you’ll be turning it down.

19. Wood-Burning Stove or Fireplace

If you’ve got one, you’re way ahead of most people. A freestanding wood stove beats a fireplace because heat radiates off the whole stove into the room, and a stove running full blast can make a 400–500 square foot room almost too hot.

If you have a fireplace insert that depends on a blower fan, leave the door open during an outage so it works like a regular fireplace. Either way, keep a couple of cords of seasoned firewood on hand and have the chimney cleaned before winter.

Not Great for Heat (But Still Worth Having)

20. Oil Lamps and Alcohol Stoves

Oil lamps, paraffin lamps, and small alcohol hiking stoves get suggested as heat sources a lot. They aren’t good ones. The heat you get depends on how big the flame is, and these flames are small.

Alcohol stoves also only burn for about 20 minutes, and you can’t refill them while they’re lit. They’re still worth keeping around, though. Oil lamps give you light (a good Dietz lantern is great to have), and alcohol stoves are handy for warming food indoors when you don’t want to go outside and fire up the grill.

Don’t Skip the Safety Gear

The last thing you want in an emergency is to make it worse. Heating your house is great, but if you set it on fire, you’ll be standing outside in the cold pretty fast. If you use any of the heaters above, keep these around:

• Carbon monoxide detectors: Battery-powered, in every room where you’re running a heater. Some combo units also detect natural gas leaks.
• Smoke detectors: Check the batteries before winter starts.
• Fire extinguishers: Get quality ABC-rated ones you can trust, not the cheapest thing you can find online. Keep one near the fireplace and one in the garage.
• First aid kit with burn supplies: Burn dressings and gel.
• Flashlights and headlamps: Because it’ll be dark when you need them most.
• An evacuation plan: And practice it with your family so everyone knows what to do.

Use some common sense, too. Store diesel and kerosene outside your living space, keep anything flammable well away from heaters, and make sure you know how to run your equipment before you need it. Most heating accidents can be avoided with a little forethought.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need every item on this list, and you definitely don’t need $10,000 worth of solar panels and batteries. A few smart choices can make a big difference: warm layers, one small insulated room, and a reliable heater that’s safe indoors. Pick the options that fit your home and budget, test them before winter, and you’ll be ready if the lights go out when it’s freezing outside.

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The post 20 Emergency Heating Sources That Don’t Need Electricity appeared first on Urban Survival Site.

from Urban Survival Site

Homemade Snow Cone Syrup

I’m excited to share my post again on how to make homemade snow cone syrup in the middle of summer, or any other time you feel like a tasty treat. When it comes to sharing ideas with my readers, I’m open to almost any recipe if I think it could help them make great meals and desserts, especially if it’s simple and can save them some money. I’ve updated this post because it’s been so popular. I added a new section below. Bring on the treats with your family and friends.

When we lived in St. George, Utah, it got really hot in the summer months. We looked for all sorts of options for a cool drink, a cold salad, and a refreshing dessert. Growing up, my girls loved their snow cones and ice cream treats; they probably still do!

I researched to discover the origins of snow cones. It’s thought that people in the higher elevations, where snow was the norm, would bring ice and snow into the valleys and share their bounty with valley dwellers for a fee.

The first mass-produced ice treats were a function of the Industrial Revolution of the 1850s, when machines were invented to make ice. New York City had several “ice houses” where large blocks of ice were produced and delivered to homes and businesses by wagon.

Sometimes when the wagons came into a neighborhood, the kids would ask for the ice to be scraped. Those thin slices of ice would be covered with popular flavors like vanilla, egg custard, and sugar.

It wasn’t until 1919 that a fellow named Samuel Bert invented a machine to mass-produce shavings from ice blocks, and snow cones became popular after he sold them at the Texas State Fair. Since then, they’ve been called by various names, like snow cones, snowballs, and shaved ice. Over the years, they’ve been served with a variety of flavors and add-ons, including ice cream, condensed milk, and candy.

In case you missed this post, The Best Homemade Playdough Recipe

Snow Cone Syrup

Items You May Need In The Kitchen:

• 16-ounce Squeeze Bottles
• Ice Cream/Snow Cone Holder
• Snow Cone Paper Cups or Reusable Silicone Cups with Lids
• Electric Snow Cone Machine with Ice Molds
• Funnel

Snow Cone Syrup Recipe

Step One: Gather Ingredients

You only need water, sugar, and dry unsweetened flavor drink packets. I used Kool-Aid packets of various flavors.

Step Two: Label the Bottles

I labeled my bottles. I use this labeler for everything. Brother Label Machine

Step Three: Combine Water and Sugar

Grab a medium-sized saucepan, and combine the water and the sugar.

Step Four: Boil for 3-4 Minutes

Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for about 3-4 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves.

Step Five: Add Flavor Packets

Add the dry, unsweetened flavor packet (I used Kool-Aid) and stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Let the syrup cool down. I did this four times, once for each flavor: orange, blue raspberry, grape, and tropical punch.

Step Six: Use A Funnel

Pour into a container using the funnel. I prefer the squeezable bottle containers shown in the picture.

Step Seven: Make the Crushed Ice

We used to have a fridge that not only made ice cubes but also crushed the ice if desired. I haven’t had that fridge for years. The Hawaiian Shaved Ice Machine I bought comes with two “ice molds” that you fill with water and then freeze. You need to freeze the ice molds in advance.

I bought a few extra molds because we always have 5 or 6 kids around here ready for a snow cone! After you freeze the ice molds, bring them out and let them “thaw” for about 5-7 minutes, and they’ll be ready to place inside the top of the shaved ice machine. Bright Colored Spoons

Step Eight: Drizzle over Ice

Press down on the top of the ice machine to “shave” the ice into a cup, cone, or another container you want to eat from. Gently squeeze the desired amount of snow cone syrup over your shaved ice, snow cone, or cup.

Notice the cute multicolored cups I bought just for this treat. I also purchased some pretty multicolored “spoon straws” so you can eat the shaved ice more easily. Enjoy! These are so much fun to make, especially with all the doom and gloom in the world; snow cones hit the spot! Let’s bring some fun back into our lives!

Finished Product

These are so light and fluffy, the kids will smile from ear to ear when they see them! I can’t wait for summer!

Snow Cone Syrup Recipe

Print

Snow Cone Syrup Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 2 cups

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups white granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1 package dry unsweetened drink mix (I used a Kool-Aid package)

Instructions

• Grab a medium-sized saucepan and combine the water and sugar.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for about 3-4 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the dry unsweetened drink mix and stir until fully incorporated.
• Let the syrup cool down. Pour into a container; I prefer squeezable containers.
• Gently squeeze the desired amount onto your shaved ice snow cone. Enjoy.
• Store the bottles of snow cone syrup in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

What’s the difference between snow cones and shaved ice?

Snow cones typically use pointed-end cone cups to serve the ice. Shaved ice is usually served in flat cups.

Can I use a sugar substitute with this syrup recipe?

Splenda is often used as a sugar substitute. I’ve never used it for this recipe, but keep in mind that 1 packet of Splenda equals 2 teaspoons of sugar, so 1/2 cup of sugar would require approximately 12 packets. Of course, be sure to look at the package you use. I only buy Stevia as a sugar substitute, but I stick with granulated white sugar when I make these ice treats.

Does snow cone syrup go bad?

The word on the street is that ready-to-use syrups can last between one and two years. Since this is homemade, it doesn’t contain any preservatives, which is how I prefer it. I would expect this syrup to last about 7 to 10 days, but check yours for any changes in color or odor as you approach that timeline.

What other syrup flavors should I consider trying?

Since Kool-Aid comes in so many flavors and is so convenient, I haven’t considered trying other flavor options. There are certainly many approaches to making and using different flavors, and they may involve using fresh or frozen fruits.

I would suggest trying cherries, apples, raspberries, grapes, and other fruits your family considers favorites. Using these fruits will also involve adding extracts such as vanilla and lemon. Another approach, and one you should consider, is using Jello. Google it and see all the flavors that jump out at you!

Taking Your Snow Cones to the Next Level with Ice Cream

Once you have a batch of homemade snow cone syrup ready in the refrigerator, it is time to have a little fun. One of my favorite ways to turn a simple snow cone into a real treat is to tuck a scoop of ice cream right into the bottom of the cup and pile the shaved ice on top. This idea comes from the Hawaiian shave ice stands, where a surprise scoop of creamy ice cream waits at the bottom for you to discover as you eat your way down. Trust me, once your family tries it this way, they may never want a plain snow cone again.

Sturdy Cups

Here is how I put them together. Start with a sturdy cup, either paper or plastic, and pop the empty cups in the freezer for about 15 minutes before you begin. A chilled cup keeps everything from melting too quickly, especially on a hot summer afternoon. Next, add one small scoop of ice cream to the bottom of each cup. I like to use a cookie scoop so the portion stays small and the ice cream does not take over. Firm ice cream works best, so keep the carton in the freezer until the very moment you need it.

Now shave or crush your ice and pack it gently over the ice cream. Fill the cup to the top, then mound a little extra ice above the rim and shape it into a dome with your hands or the back of a spoon. Packing the ice lightly helps it hold the syrup instead of letting it run straight to the bottom. Slowly pour your homemade syrup over the dome, turning the cup as you go so the color and flavor spread evenly.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

For an extra special finish, drizzle a little sweetened condensed milk over the top. This is often called a snow cap, and it adds a rich, creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with fruit syrups. A can of sweetened condensed milk is a wonderful item to keep in your food storage anyway, so this is a great way to rotate it.

The flavor combinations are where the real fun begins. Strawberry syrup over vanilla ice cream tastes just like a strawberry shortcake. Pineapple or coconut syrup over coconut ice cream brings a tropical feel to the backyard. Cherry syrup over chocolate ice cream reminds me of a Black Forest dessert, and blue raspberry syrup over cookies and cream is always a hit with the grandkids. Let everyone choose their own combination and see who comes up with the most creative cup.

Toppings For Texture

You can also add a few toppings for texture. Fresh berries, diced mango, mini marshmallows, gummy bears, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut all work well. Hand everyone a spoon along with a straw, because the bottom of the cup becomes a creamy, fruity slush that nobody wants to waste.

This makes a wonderful idea for birthday parties, family reunions, or a simple summer night on the porch. Set up a little snow cone bar with your syrups, a few ice cream flavors, and some toppings, and let the kids build their own. It costs far less than a trip to the local shaved ice stand, and you know exactly what is in every bottle of syrup.

Final Word

I’ve learned over the years, as I’ve worked with dozens of people, that some of us love working in the kitchen. It just seems to come naturally and doesn’t feel like a chore; it’s fun. So when I find a recipe like this one, where you can make your own homemade snow cone syrup so easily,

I just had to share it. Never be afraid to try new recipes; make them part of your personality and skill set. Let me know if you made a syrup, what ingredients you used, and how it turned out. I want to share your experience with my other readers. May God bless this world. Linda

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Over 50 and On Your Own: How to Stay Prepared, Strong, and Connected

Over 50 and on your own? Whether you're widowed, divorced, single, or an empty nester, here's how to stay prepared, strong, and connected: supplies sized for one, outages solo, medical-emergency basics like Medical ID and a Vial of Life, skills someone else used to handle, your people, and your papers, money, and health.

The post Over 50 and On Your Own: How to Stay Prepared, Strong, and Connected appeared first on The Survival Mom.

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How To Make Bread Cubes for Stuffing or Dressing

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your own bread cubes for stuffing or dressing, you’re in the right place. Homemade dried bread cubes are incredibly easy to make, budget-friendly, and far more flavorful than the store-bought bags. Whether you’re planning a classic Thanksgiving feast or whipping up a cozy family dinner, learning how to cut and dry your own bread cubes gives you complete control over texture, seasoning, and ingredients.

In this guide, I’ll show you two foolproof methods for drying bread, air-drying and oven-drying—so you can choose whichever works best for your timeline. We’ll also cover the best types of bread to use, how to store dried cubes properly, and how many you’ll need for your favorite stuffing recipe. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have perfectly dried, golden cubes ready to soak up broth, herbs, and all those other delicious holiday flavors.

Making Your Own Bread Cubes Is Easy

Making your own bread cubes is one of the easiest ways to take your stuffing from ordinary to unforgettable. Let’s get started!

When it comes to the best holiday dishes, nothing compares to homemade stuffing or dressing made with perfectly dried bread cubes. If you’ve always relied on the store-bought bags, you’ll be amazed at how quick and budget-friendly it is to make your own.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make bread cubes for stuffing/dressing, which breads work best, how long to dry them, and the difference between air-drying and oven-drying methods. With a few simple steps, you’ll have flavorful, dry cubes ready to soak up broth, herbs, and butter for the most delicious stuffing ever.

Why You Should Make Your Own Bread Cubes

Homemade bread cubes are fresher, more flavorful, and customizable. Drying your own bread also helps you control:

• Texture
• Sodium content
• Bread type (white, whole wheat, sourdough, gluten-free)
• Cube size
• Amount of seasoning

Whether you’re preparing a classic Thanksgiving dressing or a savory herb stuffing year-round, making your own cubes gives you the perfect base.

A Brief History of Bread Cubes

Bread cubes might seem like a simple pantry staple today, but their history reaches back centuries. As long as people have been baking bread, they’ve also been finding clever ways to use up every last crumb, and that’s precisely where bread cubes began.

In early European kitchens, especially in France, England, and Germany, stale bread was considered far too valuable to waste. Instead of discarding it, cooks dried it out and cut it into pieces to add texture and stretch meals. This practice led to some of the earliest forms of stuffing, a technique used to fill poultry, meats, and even vegetables with seasoned bread mixtures.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, drying and cubing bread became common in both home and professional kitchens. Bread cubes were used not only for stuffing but also for thickening soups, soaking up sauces, and turning into early versions of croutons.

When European settlers came to America, they brought these traditions with them. Over time, American cooks adapted bread cubes made from local ingredients—cornbread, sourdough, and hearty farm loaves—and combined them with herbs, onions, and celery. By the 19th century, bread-based stuffing had become a Thanksgiving and holiday staple, with bread cubes as its foundation.

Commercially packaged bread cubes appeared in the early to mid-20th century as home cooking became more convenience-focused. Companies began selling pre-dried, pre-seasoned cubes, making stuffing faster and more consistent for busy families. Today, bread cubes remain a beloved building block in kitchens worldwide, whether homemade from fresh loaves or purchased ready-to-use.

The Best Bread to Use for Stuffing or Dressing

The secret to great stuffing is using bread that dries well and holds its structure. Here are the top options:

Best Choices

• French bread
• Sourdough
• Baguettes
• Artisan loaves
• White or wheat sandwich bread
• Brioche or challah (adds richness)

Bread to Avoid

• Extremely soft, sweet breads (unless well-toasted)
• Heavily seeded loaves that crumble easily

Mixing multiple breads creates amazing flavor and texture.

How To Make Bread Cubes for Stuffing (Two Methods)

1. Air-Dry Method — Best Flavor

This method produces evenly dried cubes without toasting, giving you the most traditional stuffing texture.

Instructions

1. Spread the cubes in a single layer on baking sheets.
2. Slice bread into ½–¾ inch cubes.
3. Let them sit out, uncovered, for 24–48 hours.
4. Toss once or twice to ensure even drying.
5. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

This method takes time but delivers excellent results.

2. Oven-Dry Method — Fastest Option

If you need dried bread cubes today, this is your go-to approach.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to (300°F) = (148°C).
2. Cut the bread into 1/2-3/4 inch cubes.
3. Spread evenly on baking sheets.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
5. Remove when cubes feel dry but not browned.
6. Cool completely before storing.

Tip: You’re drying the cubes, not toasting them. Browning will change the flavor of your stuffing. I’m still using my toasted ones. I got busy and forgot the oven was baking them.

Oven-Baked Bread Cubes for Stuffing or Dressing

Step One: Gather Ingredients

Gather the ingredients: bread, oil, and spices of choice.

Step Two: Slice Bread

Slice the bread about 3/4 inches thick. If your bread is already sliced, skip this step.

Step Three: Place Cubes on Pan

Cut the slices into cubes about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in size, remove crusts if you want. I didn’t remove my crusts. Place the cubes on a cookie sheet.

Step Four: Drizzle with Oil

Drizzle with Olive Oil.

Step Five: Sprinkle Spices

Sprinkle salt and pepper or your favorite spices.

Step Six: Preheat Oven/Bake

Preheat oven to (300°F) = (148°C). Bake for 30-40 minutes until you reach desired crispness. Let them cool, and they will be perfect. Store in an airtight container until ready to use. These make great croutons for soups or salads.

Finished Product

Bread Cubes for Stuffing or Dressing Recipe

Print

Bread Cubes for Stuffing or Dressing

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 6 cups

Author Linda Loosli

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of bread, any size you need for your recipe
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

• Slice the bread about 3/4 inches thick. If your bread is already sliced, skip this step.
• Cut the slices into cubes about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in size, remove crusts if you want. I did not remove my crusts.
• Place the cubes on a cookie sheet
• Drizzle with olive oil
• Sprinkle salt and pepper or your favorite spices
• Preheat oven to (300°F) = (148°C)
• Bake for 30-40 minutes until desired crispness. Let them cool, and they will be perfect. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

To Air Dry Bread Cubes

• Spread the cubes in a single layer on baking sheets
• Slice bread into 1/2-3/4 inch cubes.
• Let them sit out, uncovered, for 24–48 hours. Toss once or twice to ensure even drying. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

How Many Bread Cubes Do You Need?

A standard 9×13″ pan of stuffing requires:

• 6 cups of dried bread cubes
  This is roughly:
• One medium homemade bread loaf

How To Store Homemade Bread Cubes

Once thoroughly cooled and dried:

• Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• Freeze for 3–4 months.
• Always use an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag.

Frozen cubes can go straight into your stuffing mix, no thawing needed.

Why Drying Bread Is Essential

Dry bread absorbs flavors far better than fresh bread. Properly dried cubes ensure:

• No soggy stuffing
• Even moisture distribution
• Perfect texture
• Rich absorption of broth, herbs, butter, and aromatics

This single step truly transforms your stuffing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use stale bread instead of dried?

Yes, but stale bread is not fully dry. It still needs to be oven-dried for the best results.

Can I season the cubes before drying?

You can, but it’s best to season during the stuffing-making process so flavors stay vibrant.

Can I mix bread types?

Absolutely, mixing sourdough and white bread is a favorite combination.

Chicken and Dressing Casserole

The Best Thanksgiving Stuffing/Dressing

Green Bean Casserole

Final Word

Learning how to make bread cubes for stuffing is one of the easiest ways to elevate your holiday recipes. With just a loaf of bread and a little time, you can create a flavorful, homemade base that makes your stuffing truly unforgettable. Whether you choose to air-dry or oven-dry, your cubes will turn out perfectly crisp and ready to soak up all those delicious Thanksgiving flavors. May God bless this world, Linda

The post How To Make Bread Cubes for Stuffing or Dressing appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

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