This was inspired by a post on Live, Laugh, Rowe Kelly posted a great recipe for Coffee Cake, along with a sweet memory of how she used to make it when she was roomies with her sister. (She has an identical twin, isn't that fabulous?) Anyway, Kelly made her coffee cake with Bisquick, which prompted me to post this recipe for homemade biscuit mix that I have been making for more years than I care to tell you. It is quick and easy, makes a bunch to keep on hand, is cheaper, can be used in any recipe calling for Bisquick, and you can substitute water for milk!
By the way, here is a hint about how long I have had this recipe. I still have my original, written on a piece of paper, and I have a breakdown of the costs beside the list of ingredients: (Yes, this is to make the full recipe!!)
Flour .53
Dry Milk .26
Baking Powder .06
Salt--
Cream of tartar .01
Sugar .02
Shortening .60
Total Cost for approx. 29 cups of mix---$1.48 (yep, that was awhile ago!)
Sorry about the crummy pictures, I am hoping for a new camera before too terribly long. Please hang in with me, it will get better.
Baking Mix
5 pounds all-purpose flour
2 1/2 Cups Dry Milk (dry mix)
3/4 Cup double acting baking powder
3 Tablespoons Salt
2 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
1/4 Cup Sugar
2 pounds solid shortening (such as Crisco)
Empty flour into very large bowl. Stir in baking powder, salt, cream of tartar, dry milk, and sugar.Mix well, then cut the shortening in until the mixture is the consistency of cornmeal.
Divide into zip-lock storage bags, or air-tight plastic containers. Store at room temperature.
Use in any Bisquick recipe, or try the following
Biscuits: 3 cups mix, 3/4 water. Blend, knead, roll and cut.Bake at 450 for ten minutes. Makes about a dozen, depending on size.
Muffins: 3 cups mix, 2 tablespoons sugar, l egg. Mix water and egg. Blend into dry ingredients. Bake at 450 for 25 minutes. Makes about a dozen. Add other ingredients as desired, chocolate chips, lemon zest, spices, etc.
Coffee Cake: 3 cups mix, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 2/3 cup water. Blend, put into 8-in pan. Sprinkle top with mixture of 1/2 brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons softened butter. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. May add chopped nuts to topping if desired.
