Master Mix (versatile baking mixture)

Master Mix (versatile baking mixture)

5 pounds all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups dry milk
3/4 cup double acting baking powder
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
3 tablespoons salt
1/2 cup sugar
4 2/3 cups (2 pounds) solid vegetable shortening

Sift dry ingredients together. Cut in shortening until mix looks like cornmeal. Store at room temperature in a large sealable container like Tupperware. Makes 30 cups mix.

ONE DOZEN BISCUITS: 3 cups master mix, 3/4 cup water. Blend and knead a few strokes. Roll out and cut biscuits with a round biscuit cutter, into squares or diamond shapes. Bake 10 minute at 450 F.

DUMPLINGS: Use the same measurements as for biscuits. Drop into hot liquid of choice. Cook 10 minutes uncovered and an additional 10 minutes covered.

ONE DOZEN MUFFINS: 3 cups Master Mix, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 cup water. Mix water and egg; add dry ingredients. Add optional items such as blueberries, chocolate chips, nuts and so forth, as desired. Bake in muffin cups for 25 minutes at 450 F.

FOUR DOZEN DROP COOKIES: 3 C. Master Mix, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/3 cup water, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup nuts or chocolate chips. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375 F.

NINE-INCH ROUND COFFEE CAKE: 3 cups Master Mix, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 2/3 cup water. Blend all ingredients and pour into a greased 9-inch cake pan. Cover with topping: 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Optional: Add 1/2 C nuts or raisins to the topping mix. Bake at 400 F for 25 minutes.

18 MEDIUM PANCAKES OR 6 WAFFLES: 3 cups Master Mix, 1 1/2 cups water, 1 egg. Blend only until barely incorporated. Prepare pancakes or waffles as usual.

EIGHT-INCH SQUARE GINGERBREAD: 2 cups Master Mix, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup molasses, 1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon, ginger and ground cloves. Beat egg together with the water and molasses. Mix well with dry ingredients until all are incorporated. Pour into greased 8-inch square cake pan. Bake 40 minutes at 350 F.

EIGHT-INCH SQUARE CORNBREAD OR MUFFINS: 1 1/4 cups Master Mix, 3/4 cup cornmeal, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 cup water. Mix all ingredients until fully incorporated. Pour into greased pan or muffin cups. Bake 25 minutes at 400 F.

SHORTCAKE: 2 cups Master Mix, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 cup water. Mix all ingredients and bake in a greased 8 x 8 pan, or roll out and cut into individual cakes to be placed on a cookie sheet. Bake 25 minutes at 400 F, or a few minutes less for individual shortcakes, until they just begin to brown.