Master Baking Mix

Everyone should have the More-With-Less-Cookbook! But if you don't, I thought I would pass along one of my favorite recipes from it. This Master Mix recipe has come in very handy and I was eager to whip it up again while looking forward to the busy days ahead (should baby ever decide to actually grace us with his/her presence!). I like it because it is a great combination of convenience and control: I can throw this mix together and grab it when I quickly need to make something, while still knowing that good stuff went into it. Quality doesn't have to be sacrificed for the sake of time-saving!


Master Mix:

8 lbs. 4 lbs.
Sift together 3 times:

5 lbs. 10 c. flour*
3/4 c. 6 T. baking powder
3 T. 1 1/2 T. salt
1 T. 1 1/2 t. cream of tartar
1/2 c. 1/4 c. sugar

Cut into the consistency of cornmeal:
2 lbs. 2 c. vegetable shortening**

Stir in:
4 c. 2 c. dry milk powder

Store in covered container at room temperature.***

Changes I've made:
* I typically make the 4lb. recipe and use 5 cups white flour, 4 cups whole wheat, and 1 cup flax seed.

** vegetable shortening is a hydrogenated oil/trans fat, so I try to stay away from it. Instead of having it in there, simply add in oil or applesauce to your mix when actually in use.

***When using whole wheat, keep your master mix in the refrigerator, as that is supposed to help the wheat maintain its wholesome goodness better. This may or may not be true, but I say might as well do it...


This is what my 4lb batch looks like.


Recipes:

Pancakes or Waffles
(serves 4- who only needs 4 waffles?! actually, this is nice because most of the time I'm just making them for my two Littles, so I don't feel like much gets wasted, and if I have a bigger crowd I just multiply. This is my favorite way to use it because waffles always make a morning feel "special" and a nice break from the usual! Jeni, I thought this might come in especially handy for you all and your Saturday Gatherings!)

Beat together in a bowl:
1 c milk
1 egg
2 T to 1/4 cup oil if you didn't already add shortening to your mix

stir in:
1 1/2c. Master mix.
- sometimes I thin this out a little more with water too.

Coffee Cake
serves 6
Bake at 375 for 25 min.

Preheat oven
Beat together in a bowl:
1/3 c. milk
1 egg

Add:
1/4 c. sugar
2 1/4 c. Master Mix

Stir until well blended. Pour into greased 8" baking pan. Combine and sprinkle on top:
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 T. butter
1/2t. cinnamon
1/4c. chopped nuts (optional)

Bake 25 min. serve warm.
I did make this one a while back, and it came out alright, although a little dry and needing just a little more sweetness.

Biscuits (next on my list to try)
makes 8, bake at 450 for 10 min.
Preheat oven
Combine in bowl
1 1/2 c. Master Mix
1/3 c. milk

Add milk all at once, stirring 25 strokes. NOT 24, NOR 26! 25 shall be the number! (sorry, just struck me as funny and very specific- wonder how they came up with 25 as the magic number)
Knead lightly on floured board. Roll 1/2 in. thick, cut and place on ungreased baking sheet.

- use as topping on casseroles, cobblers, meat or vegetable pies or wherever biscuit dough is called for.

Muffins
Makes 12
Bake at 425 for 20 min.

Preheat oven.
Beat together:
1 egg
1 c. milk
2 T. sugar

add:
3 C. Master Mix

stir until dry ingredients are just moistened. Spoon into greased muffin pans and bake.

Options:
add drained fruit or chopped, dried fruit, or chopped nuts.
-or bake as fruit bread using 5x8 greased loaf pan and bake 40 in. at 350.

Replace 1/3 mix with with quick-cooking oats or all bran cereal.


Happy Baking/Eating/Simplifying!