Made with lard, shortening, salt, all-purpose flour, baking powder, nonfat milk
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
Missouri Mix (Quick Mix)
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
Chocolate Malt Coffee Creamer
A good powdered coffee creamer is never a bad thing to have on hand. This malted blend is a major improvement on plain store-bought creamer.
Time: under 30 minutes
Freezer Garlic Bread
A great make-ahead recipe. Simply fill the sliced bread with a garlic butter spread and freeze until you are ready to bake it.
Method: 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
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Instant Alfredo Sauce Mix
This sauce mix makes a pasta dish loads better than you'd get with heavy jarred alfredo, without the hassle of making the sauce from scratch just for a weeknight dinner.
Time: under 30 minutes
Sour Cream Substitute
Powdered milk and vinegar do the trick for a thick sour cream substitute perfect for chili, fajitas, or baked potatoes.
Time: 2-5 hours
Gingerbread Coffee Mix
Mixing spices, powdered coffee creamer, and instant coffee together makes an all-in-one instant gingerbread coffee.
Time: under 30 minutes
Borden's Sweetened Condensed Milk Copycat
A copycat version of Borden's brand of sweetened condensed milk. Made with nonfat dry milk powder, sugar, water, and butter.
Time: 1-2 hours
Freezer Alfredo Sauce
This make-ahead recipe comes in handy on busy days.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
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
Make Ahead and Freeze Oven Meatballs
Make ahead today for a last minute dinner idea later or keep on hand to use in another recipe.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
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
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
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
Pancake Mix in a Bag
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of dry pancake mix that can be stored for weeks and used whenever you crave fluffy and delicious pancakes.
Time: under 30 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
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
Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Making homemade sun-dried tomatoes is a fantastic way to preserve the best tomatoes of the summer and use them for pizzas, pastas, and salads for months to come.
Method: oven
Time: over 5 hours
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
Creamy Flavored Coffee Sweetener
This simple recipe nails the ratio of skim milk with the sweet stuff for a satisfying coffee creamer that can be modified to whatever seasonal flavor desires strike...
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Rice Krispies Treats
Skip the stove top method for Rice Krispies treats and let the kids make their own marshmallow cereal bars using the Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven.
Time: 30-60 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
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
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
Cappuccino Mix
Made with chocolate drink mix, powdered sugar, instant nonfat dry milk, instant coffee, non-dairy creamer
Time: under 30 minutes
Make Your Own Self-Rising Flour
Use this homemade self-rising flour recipe for all your baking needs. Works for breads, cakes, muffins, and more.
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
Friendship Tea Mix
Combining an orange breakfast drink, lemonade mix, instant tea, apricot gelatin, and spices, this mix makes a comforting beverage that's perfect for gifting.
Time: under 30 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
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 Hot Cocoa Mix
Warm up quickly when you keep a batch of this homemade hot cocoa mix on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Gluten-Free Baking Mix
This baking mix is perfect for people who are gluten-intolerant or have celiac disease (or who are just avoiding gluten).
Time: under 30 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
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
Au Jus (Brown Stock)
This rich brown stock can be used as a soup base, or in any recipe calling for beef broth or stock.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Sugar-Free Vanilla Coffee Creamer
You can still make a sweet, creamy cup of Joe without the added sugar. This pre-mixed blend with a touch of vanilla is a great option to have on hand.
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
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
Homemade Confectioner's (Powdered) Sugar
Need powdered sugar but don't have any? Make your own with just two ingredients.
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
Basic Homemade Croutons
This recipe is a win-win. Use up your day old bread; get a crunchy salad topping to boot. Bread and butter is all you need for these crispy broiled croutons.
Method: oven
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
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
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
Beefy Taco Seasoning Mix
This is a great substitute for the packaged taco seasoning you buy at the store. This version has extra "beefy" flavor. Use anytime you need a little Mexican flavor...
Time: under 30 minutes
Half-And-Half Substitute
Half-and-half is basically milk with a higher fat content. So it's easy to make your own substitute by upping the fat content of regular milk.
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Lemon or White Cake Mix
An easy make-ahead mix for the Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven for kids. You can use other drink mix powder for even more flavor variations.
Time: under 30 minutes
Keeping a can of frozen orange juice concentrate in the freezer means you can make more than just orange juice. Try it in a variety of orange-flavored recipes.
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.
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.