Make-Ahead Mixes Recipes

This afternoon I spent some time putting together make-ahead mixes and a Facebook friend asked for one of the recipes. So, I thought I'd give you several in this blog post that are my go-to favorites.

Vanilla Cake Mix

What I love about this particular cake mix is that it uses dry milk powder, and I always have bunches on hand for making mixes. But what I don't love about this recipe is that it only makes one cake at a time and it feels fiddly to me to make several batches at once. But it's still worth it!

2 1/3 cups flour
1/3 cup dry milk powder
3 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup Crisco (be generous!)

Thoroughly mix together all of the ingredients except for the Crisco; once the dry ingredients are well mixed, add the Crisco and, using your hands (really!), gently mix until it resembles coarse crumbles. This part usually takes me several minutes, so don't hurry the process, because the finer you incorporate the Crisco, the better your cake results will be. Store in a large jar or large baggie. This recipe makes one cake, so when you go to the trouble to haul out your ingredients, make several batches at once. I usually make four at a time.

To make the cake:

2 eggs
1 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 batch Vanilla Cake Mix

Mix together the eggs, water, and vanilla; add the Vanilla Cake Mix and blend well. I use my hand beaters and mix for about 2 minutes.

Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool cake before frosting it, or eat it plain.

An Alternative Cake Mix

8 cups flour
6 cups sugar
1/4 cup baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups Crisco

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together all of the ingredients except for the Crisco; once the dry ingredients are well mixed, add the Crisco and, using your hands (really!), gently mix until it resembles coarse crumbles. This part usually takes me several minutes, so don't hurry the process, because the finer you incorporate the Crisco, the better your cake results will be.

To make the cake:

2 eggs, well beaten
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/3 cups cake mix

On low, beat together the eggs, milk, and vanilla; add the cake mix and beat on low to moisten. Then you can turn the mixer to medium and beat for about 2 minutes.

Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool cake before frosting it.

Master Brownie Mix

6 cups flour
4 tsp. baking powder
4 tsp. salt
8 cups sugar
1 8-oz. can unsweetened baking cocoa, or 2 cups (make the second cup a tad scant)
2 cups Crisco

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together all of the ingredients except for the Crisco; once the dry ingredients are well mixed, add the Crisco and, using your hands (really!), gently mix until it resembles coarse crumbles. This part usually takes me several minutes, so don't hurry the process, because the finer you incorporate the Crisco, the better your brownies will be.

To make the brownies:

2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups Brownie Mix
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
powdered sugar (optional)

Grease and flour an 8 x 8-inch baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, and Brownie Mix. Beat until smooth (I use a large wooden spoon). Stir in nuts if using. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool before cutting. Sprinkle top with powdered sugar when ready to serve.

Hot Chocolate Mix

I love this hot chocolate mix! I drink it during the cooler months, and there are few evenings that I don't have a cup before bed. Very soothing. And easy and cheap to make, too! (Two qualities I love in cooking!)

6 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered sugar (generous)
1 cup regular sugar
1 cup unsweetened baking cocoa powder
dash of salt (I just take my salt shaker and give it a shake and call it good)

Combine all ingredients and mix well. I can get one batch of hot chocolate mix in a half-gallon canning jar. Love that!

To use:

To 1 cup hot water, add 3 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix. You can also use hot milk for an extra creamy cup of hot chocolate, but I'm too frugal to ever do that.

 

Easy Stove-Top Chicken Stuffing Mix

6 cups cubed bread
1 T. dried parsley
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried minced celery
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. sage
1/2 tsp. salt

Bake the bread cubes in a 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes; remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Mix together all ingredients and store in a large jar or baggie.

To make the stuffing:

In a medium saucepan, bring 3/4 cup water and 2-3 tablespoons butter to a gentle boil, making sure that the butter has melted completely. Turn the heat off but leave the saucepan on the heated element and add 2 cups of the stuffing mix; stir with a fork, cover, and let set for several minutes. Fluff and serve.