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
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
Homemade Light Corn Syrup
Crispy Crunchy Crouton Sticks
French bread is cut into sticks and coated with melted butter, basil, garlic powder, and onion salt and then baked until crisp.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Cappuccino Mix
Made with chocolate drink mix, powdered sugar, instant nonfat dry milk, instant coffee, non-dairy creamer
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
Creamy Potato Soup Mix
Made with seasoned salt, ground turmeric, instant mashed potato flakes, powdered milk, chicken bouillon granules, dried minced onion, dried parsley, white pepper, dried thyme
Time: under 30 minutes
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Low Carb Bisquick Like Mix
Looking for a low-carb alternative to Bisquick? Just combine soy isolate powder with baking agents and shortening for a quick, handy mix that works in a variety of recipes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Baking Powder
Turns out baking powder is just baking soda, cornstarch, and cream of tartar. So next time you need baking powder in a pinch, you might already have it on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Almost Maple Syrup
This almost maple syrup is still way closer than most store-bought syrups. It's made with actual sugar instead of corn syrup.
Time: under 30 minutes
Sloppy Joe Freezer Mix
What is easier than sloppy joes? Sloppy joes made ahead of time. Freeze the saucy ground beef mixture, and when ready to cook just heat, and eat.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
DIY Lemon Extract
Homemade lemon extract: because sometimes, life gives you lemons and you make something awesome. A perfect project for when you're feeling a little extra zesty.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Real Cheese Croutons
These crunchy croutons are made from 100% cheese and can be used on salads in place of their bready counterparts. Break them into larger pieces for a crispy low carb snack cracker.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 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
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:
Hot Spiced Orange Drink
This delicious and easy-to-make hot spiced orange drink is perfect for cold winter days. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this flavorful beverage in minutes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Missouri Mix (Quick Mix)
Made with lard, shortening, salt, all-purpose flour, baking powder, nonfat milk
Time: under 30 minutes
Fix And Freeze French Onion Soup
This fix and freeze French onion soup recipe has you do the hard work ahead of time. When ready to serve, all you have to do is heat the soup and add the bread and...
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Seasoned Parmesan Croutons
Take a boring salad and dress it up with some delicious crispy croutons, flavored with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 1-2 hours
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
Make-Ahead Red Beans And Rice Mix
This is a great mix to keep on hand when you want to make some old-school comfort food. With the seasoning ingredients pre-measured, the recipe comes together with...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Gluten-Free Biscuit or Baking Mix
Forget the gluten but not the flavor. This biscuit mix is here to prove that you can still indulge in your favorites without a hitch.
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Chocolate Cake
There's nothing more satisfying than teaching your kids to bake from scratch using their own toy oven. The Easy-Bake Oven chocolate cake recipe is the perfect way to get...
Time: under 30 minutes
Sugar Free Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
No fat or sugar in this version of homemade sweetened condensed milk
Time: 2-5 hours
Amaretto Coffee Creamer
This amaretto flavored coffee creamer is shelf-stable, equally suited to for on-the-go java or morning coffee at home.
Time: under 30 minutes
All-Purpose Biscuit Mix
Use this simple DIY mix in any recipe calling for Bisquick or any other baking mix. It's not just for biscuits!
Time: under 30 minutes
Egg Substitute
This make-ahead egg substitute is reduced calorie and protein packed. It even has a yellow eggy color from a little turmeric added to the mix.
Time: under 30 minutes
Freezer Alfredo Sauce
This make-ahead recipe comes in handy on busy days.
Method: stovetop
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
French Cognac Vanilla
Upgrade your baking with this homemade vanilla extract made from French Cognac.
Time: over 5 hours
Amaretto Cocoa Mix in a Jar
This make-ahead mix is sensational packed into mason jars for cute gift baskets. Next time you're sitting around a fire, it'll be the perfect treat to have on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Instant Cappuccino Mix
Want a quick coffee fix without having to stand in line or making an entire pot of coffee? Keep this instant cappuccino mix on hand for a quick hot drink (or iced!)
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Grenadine (Pomegranate Syrup)
If you're looking to add a homemade touch to your beverages, this recipe for homemade grenadine is a fantastic choice. It offers a natural alternative to...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Lowfat Baking Mix
Here's a baking mix that will trim down those calories but pump up your culinary creativity. Perfect for those who love dessert but don't love the guilt.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Cake Mix
Pre-portioned cake mix can be a lifesaver when you want to whip up an effortless dessert. Once you've got this mix ready you just need eggs, milk, and a touch of vanilla.
Time: under 30 minutes
Heloise's Flavored Coffee Mixes
Looking for a fun and easy way to spice up your morning cup of joe? Try one of these flavored coffee mixes. You can mix and match the flavors to create your own custom...
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Warm up quickly when you keep a batch of this homemade hot cocoa mix on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Al Dente Make-Ahead Rice
Rice is simple to prepare but it takes time. Use this method for making it ahead of time so all you need to do is reheat... and eat!
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Bread Machine Mix
Made with salt, sugar, bread machine yeast, dry milk, bread flour, wheat flour, water or milk, oil, butter or shortening
Time: under 30 minutes
Cheesy Garlic Croutons
These crisp croutons are perfect for topping a salad or bowl of soup. They are made by tossing French bread cubes with melted butter, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese before...
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Spicy Croutons
These homemade croutons are perfect on salads or used in other recipes. They have an Italian flavor with a kick of cayenne.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Pie Crust Mix
Save some prep time with this pie crust mix. Flour, salt, and shortening are mixed together ahead of time (and can be frozen) to help make your pie baking a breeze.
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Chocolate Frosting Mix
Skip the packaged mixes, they are overpriced! Make your frosting mix so your kids will always have it on hand when they feel like baking in their Easy-Bake Oven.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Cool Whip
Cool Whip is a unique non-dairy whipped topping that is used in many recipes. You can make your own version with just a few shelf-stable ingredients.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Microwave Croutons
Microwave croutons might just be the kitchen hack you've been waiting for. Your salads will thank you.
Method: microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Peanut Blossom Cookie Mix In A Jar
The classic peanut butter chocolate kiss cookie is a snap to make when you pre-mix the ingredients. Keep on hand for yourself, or give the cookie mix as a gift.
Time: under 30 minutes
Toaster Oven or Air Fryer Chunky Croutons
Why are you still out there buying croutons? Bread brushed with oil and dusted with smoked paprika bakes into crunchy, salad-improving croutons faster than you...
Method: air fryer, roaster oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Gourmet Reindeer Poop
Made with nuts, butter, sugar, milk, cocoa powder, peanut butter, oatmeal
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Chocolate Mint Coffee Creamer
A gourmet powdered coffee creamer like this mint chocolate blend is a brilliant thing to have on hand. Not only is it great for everyday use, but it's easy to bring on the...
Time: under 30 minutes
Mom's Best Hot Cocoa Mix
Mom always comes through with the hot cocoa, and you'd better believe she has her recipe down. Just a few basic ingredients for the richest possible mug of warmth.
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven White Frosting Mix
No need to open a can of frosting when you only need a little for a Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven baked treat. Keep this make-ahead mix on hand to use as needed.
Time: under 30 minutes
Buttermilk Pancake Mix
Made with vegetable oil, egg, salt, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, all-purpose flour, buttermilk powder
Time: under 30 minutes
Love buffalo wings? Get that same hot, zippy flavor in everything from deviled eggs to enchiladas. And of course: wings.
Pumpkins aren't just for pies or Halloween decorations. These large, orange gourds - while naturally sweet - also work well in savory dishes. They pair well with poultry and pork (and especially bacon) and their creamy-when-cooked texture blends easily into soups.
This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.