This recipe is the perfect way to save money and have control over the ingredients in your baking mix. You can easily make a double or triple batch to have on hand...
Time: under 30 minutes
Make Ahead Recipes
Have you ever started cooking something and wished you had prepared some of it in advance to save time? Or, have you gone to grab something out of the pantry only to realize you're out of it? Frustrating, right?
That's where these "make ahead" recipes come in handy!
Maybe you like the convenience of having baking or biscuit mix on hand so you can whip up a batch of something quick? The mixes in the store can get expensive and often contain extra ingredients you don't need or want. You can make your own at home for pennies compared to what the commercial versions cost.
Not only are homemade mixes healthier since they don't contain preservatives and the additives manufacturers put in to maintain shelf life, but they'll usually taste a heck of a lot better too.
jump to the recipes
Copycat Bisquick Without Shortening
Heavy Cream Substitute
If you find yourself out of heavy cream and you need some for a recipe, use this simple substitute that requires only two ingredients.
Method: microwave, stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Bisquick Baking Mix
There's something about homemade Bisquick baking mix that just tastes better than the store-bought version.
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Lipton Dry Onion Soup Mix
Onion soup mix is a common ingredient in many recipes. Make your own and keep it on hand with this simple recipe made with dehydrated onion flakes, beef bouillon...
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Pizza
Let the kids create their own pizza night with pizza made in their Easy Bake Oven. Add any additional toppings as desired (you may need to adjust the baking time with more...
Time: under 30 minutes
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Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
A sweet but sugar-free version of homemade sweetened condensed milk
Time: under 30 minutes
Fireside Coffee Mix
A make ahead cocoa-coffee mix. Keep it on hand for an easy beverage on a chilly night in front of the fire.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Cheese Whiz Copycat
Sometimes the cheese world gets too crazy and you just want some cheese whiz. This home remedy is made with American cheese, evaporated milk and egg yolks.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy Bake Oven Chocolate Chip Cookies
Skip the boxed mix because it's so easy for your kids to make cookies in the Easy-Bake oven by Hasbro using this homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Time: under 30 minutes
Shortening Substitute
Out of shortening and need some for a recipe? No problem, this clever substitute will work just fine in most baking recipes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Light Cream Substitute
Light cream has around 20% butterfat and works well to make thin cream soups or light sauces. If you don't have any on hand, make your own with this simple substitute.
Time: under 30 minutes
Low Sodium Baking Mix
Cooking on a low sodium diet? This versatile low sodium baking mix can be used for a variety of baked goods such as pancakes, waffles, and muffins, and is a great alternative to...
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Light Corn Syrup
This DIY corn syrup substitute is made without corn starch. It's basically a sugar syrup that you can use in recipes in place of light corn syrup.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Copycat Aunt Jemima's Pancake Mix
Aunt Jemima's got the syrup down, so you'd better believe she can do pancakes too. A bit of lemon-lime soda in the mix is the key to her light and fluffy cakes. You...
Time: under 30 minutes
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix Clone
An easy homemade substitute for Jiffy. Use it in any recipe calling for 1 box of corn muffin mix.
Time: under 30 minutes
Make-Ahead Lasagna Rolls
Change up your lasagna routine. Not only does this twist on traditional lasagna turn them into pasta roll-ups, it can also be made ahead of time and frozen.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Kitchen Bouquet
Tired of dull-looking soups? This homemade Kitchen Bouquet will add that rich, dark color in a snap. So simple yet so effective.
Method: stovetop
Time:
Almost Hamburger Helper
Not one, but four beefy recipes. Between chili mac, stroganoff, potato casserole and lasagna you're sure to find a favorite that sticks. You'll be ditching the boxed stuff for...
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Homemade RoTel Tomatoes
Ro*tel tomatoes are used in a variety of recipes, particularly in Tex-Mex cooking. They are a spicy, canned diced tomato found in most grocery stores. It's simple to make your...
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Missouri Mix (Quick Mix)
Made with lard, shortening, salt, all-purpose flour, baking powder, nonfat milk
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Brownies
When it's time for a fun treat, there's nothing better than Easy-Bake Oven brownies. They're the perfect bite-sized treat for any chocolate lover (kid or adult!)
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Cake Mix Cake
Once upon a time, there was an Easy Bake Oven cake mix cake. This cake was made with love, and it tasted like heaven. The best part about this cake was that it was easy...
Time: under 30 minutes
French Vanilla Coffee Mix
Using pudding mix in a coffee creamer is a stroke of genius, turning this french vanilla mix into a lusciously creamy affair that you never knew you needed in your morning...
Time: under 30 minutes
Large Croutons
These large, toasty croutons can be used with soups, or as a base for bruschetta or crostini.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Non-Stick Pan Coating
Keep this homemade non-stick spread on hand and use in recipes calling for the spray (or anytime you need to grease a pan)
Time: under 30 minutes
Make your mornings a little less hectic with these overnight breakfast recipes. Prep the night before and enjoy a warm, comforting meal in the morning.
It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).
Got leftovers? We've got recipes. 18 delicious recipes using cooked chicken (plus 9 bonus recipes!)