Essential Baker's Pantry

What kind of baker are you? Do you plan weeks in advance, or do you only bake when the spirit moves you? As gratifying as it can be to make a complicated dessert, I love spontaneous, simple baking. Friday night fruit crisp. Sunday morning muffins. Random weeknight crepes... for dinner. Sometimes the best treats are the ones that come together with little or no planning. With a well-stocked pantry, you can pull off almost anything. Here's what I recommend:

Dry Ingredients

Flour: all-purpose, cake

Sugar: granulated, light brown, confectioner's

Baking soda

Baking powder

Salt

Chocolate Chips

Cocoa Powder

Dried Fruit

Nuts

Perishable Ingredients

Butter 

Eggs 

Milk

Heavy cream

Sour cream

Lemons (or some other citrus, for the zest)

Spices etc.

Vanilla extract

Vanilla beans

Ground cinnamon

Bonus Ingredients

Dark brown sugar

Turbinado sugar

Fresh ginger

Jam

Greek Yogurt
Corn syrup
Molasses


What are your favorite recipes for spontaneous sweets?