If you're the type of person who likes to save money on groceries, but hates sacrificing taste to do so, you're just like me. In addition to the lack of flavor, I also despise the added chemicals that are a part of most convenience foods. That being said, there are days when I don't feel well, I've got plans that require me to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible, and/or I'm just too danged lazy tired to spend a lot of time preparing meals. Those types of days are the ones where I love reaching for a convenience mix or meal.
So in my effort to save a few dollars and some cooking time, but still have a grasp on what my family is eating, I've started making some of my own pantry staples. Items like homemade self-rising flour and cake mix have been huge kitchen time savers for me. This baking mix is no exception.
Aside of the time and money savings, I love that this recipe only requires FIVE ingredients! If you're trying to watch your sugar intake, it's made up with FOUR. If that's not something to shout IT'S YUMMILICIOUS about, I don't know what is. Plus, it's easy peasy to make a batch. If you have a food processor, it can be made up in less than 3 minutes. It's as simple as combining the dry ingredients and pulsing in the shortening. If you're using your own sweet hands to make this up, it'll probably take you a minute or two longer. That's FAR less time than it would take me in the check-out lane at the grocery store.
If you have a go-to DIY recipe that you'd like to share, I'd LOVE to hear about it! You can leave me a comment below this post and/or come share your thoughts with me on Facebook. Or both!
Incidentally, I hope you'll leave me a comment below even if you don't have a recipe or idea to share, because I really need the validation that I'm not just typing these posts up for an audience of one! ;-)
- 8 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 Tablespoons sugar (optional)
- 1 cup all-vegetable shortening
- Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl or the bowl of a food processor.
- If using a food processor, pulse to combine dry ingredients, then add shortening and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Otherwise, use a pastry cutter or your fingers to incorporate the shortening into the dry ingredients.
- Store tightly covered in a pantry or the refrigerator. Can also be frozen.
Bachelor Kitchen
Love this and can't wait to try it. Bisquick is SO expensive and I feel like I'm always running out of it! Would you use the same amount as regular Bisquick when cooking with it? For instance, I use the waffle recipe on the back of the bisquick box that calls for 2 cups of the mix.
I hope you love the added savings this recipe will give you, Amy!
Yes, I use it exactly as I would if I were measuring it straight from the box. I'd love to hear back after you've tried it!
I am so happy to have found this recipe. We like biscuits and the store bought ones just arent the same. I am thinking about freezing batch size baggies of it so I can take a bag out and just add the milk for biscuits. I was wondering though ... can I use butter instead of shortening? Thank you so much!! Kim
Hi Kim! You're absolutely right about the difference home made makes
If you're going to be freezing the mixture, you can absolutely substitute butter for the shortening. If you're going to keep it in your pantry, I wouldn't recommend it, as the butter will turn rancid without refrigeration.
So glad you posted this, I'm always running out of bisquick, just when I need it most! Pinned and I'll be making up a batch today!
Linky follower-in all of a minute, I couldn't recall that. I have had my two cups of coffee in honor of National Coffee Day, so this lapse in memory must be age related. Argh!
LOL!! THANKS Lisa!
Okay, here's a mega dose of validation-Pinterest, FB, Twitter, and Google+, at least I think that is all the clicking I did. The homemade Bisquick is a great idea. I still like those impossible pies, and haven't made one in a long time. Now I don't have an excuse.
Lisa
akawest.com
Ok, this is silly, but it never occurred to me that I could use my food processor to cut in the shortening! That's probably what that white plastic blade is for, yes?
Thanks for that idea-revolutionizes things for me. I make a strawberry sour cream brown sugar cake during strawberry season and hate buying a box of Bisquick just for that item. So I've bookmarked this post and will dust it off next May.
Oh-and I love how easy to read your site is!
Thanks!
Not silly at all, Kirsten! It took me a year to figure out what the slicer blade was capable of doing! Thanks for your sweet comment! Becca
No, you're not typing this up for one!
)) I love this recipe and will be using it now instead of Bisquick. I too am trying to make most of my own food, getting rid of chemicals and anything processed or pre- packaged. I also follow f/b pages, which is where I got your link. and share a lot of recipes to my friends and family from them. I especially like that this recipe can be frozen.
YIPPEE!! I'm NOT alone!
Thanks so much for your comment, Sheryl. I'm delighted to hear that my recipes are enjoyed...and worthy of sharing!
love it! thanks.
You're welcome, Jo-Anne! Thanks so much for being here