Biscuit mix is a handy staple to have on hand to quickly whip up a batch of biscuits, pancakes or other comforting quick breads. It's really easy to make your own and healthier for your family too, since you know exactly what's in it. I like this recipe as it calls for whole wheat flour.

Basic Biscuit And Baking Mix
4 cups whole wheat flour
4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup dry non-fat milk powder
2 teaspoons Watkins cream of tartar
1/4 cup Watkins baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 cup shortening or butter or cooking oil

Directions: Measure dry ingredients into a large bowl and sift together several times; cut in shortening, butter, or oil with a pastry blender (or two knives) until it's the size of small peas. Store mix in tightly covered container in cool dry place.  Mix will keep two months at room temperature, longer in the refrigerator. Use as a substitute whenever biscuit mix is called for in a recipe. You may be easily double this recipe.

Important notes: if you use butter store the mix in the refrigerator or freezer as butter has no preservatives and will spoil quickly.  Cooking oil won't result is as nice a biscuit but is a healthier alternative, try using half butter and half oil for best results.


Biscuits
2 cups baking mix
2/3 cup Water

Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Measure mix into bowl and add water; stir just to blend.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead gently for approximately 30 seconds, being careful not to over work the dough.

Roll or pat the dough into a circle 1/2" thick. Cut into biscuits using a floured biscuit cutter, glass or slice into wedges. Place on a baking sheet and brush lightly with cream or milk if desired. Bake in a preheated 450°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes 10 to 12 large biscuits.

Pancakes
1 egg or 2 egg whites
1 1/2 cup Water
2 cups Baking Mix

Directions: Measure mix into bowl, combine egg or egg whites and water; stir into baking mix until just combined, batter maybe a lumpy. Spoon batter onto a lightly oiled, preheated griddle and cook on medium high heat, turning when bubbles appear. Makes 12-15 medium pancakes. Serve with real maple syrup!