Make Quick Mix! Have an endless array of biscuits, muffins, and pancakes at your fingertips, as fast and easy as with a store-bought baking mix (like Bisquick, for example), only better because it’s homemade. I love one recipe that can do a thousand things, like my Grandmother Bread. Quick Mix is the quick bread solution.
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How to Make Quick Mix:
5 cups all-purpose flour (may substitute 1-2 cups whole grain flour as part of the mix)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
Combine in a large bowl. (I use a large spoon and a whisk to blend the ingredients well.) I like to make this mix in 5 cup batches because that quantity fits easily into my mixing bowls for blending. I make multiple batches at once and store it in a large canister on my kitchen counter. (Store as you would flour.)
Pictured: Sour Cream Raisin Biscuits.
How to Make Basic Quick Mix Biscuits:
Per 1 cup of Quick Mix used, add–
1/4 cup shortening, butter, or lard
1/3 cup milk or buttermilk
Using a pastry cutter, cut in the shortening before adding the milk, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (Just as you would when preparing pie crust–using a pastry cutter for biscuits is one of my secrets to perfect biscuits!) Add the milk and knead your biscuit dough. (Another secret to great biscuits–knead the dough lightly, a few times, adding a pinch of flour if needed to keep dough from sticking to your hands.) Roll out on a floured surface and cut into shapes–circles or triangles are my favorites). Bake at 450-degrees for 10-12 minutes. (Depending on the size of your biscuit cutter, this makes approximately 4-6 biscuits per recipe using 1 cup of mix–double, triple, as needed. I usually make a triple recipe to feed my hungry horde.)
You can use either milk or buttermilk, and either shortening or butter (or even lard, yes, I said LARD, there’s a reason our grandmas made great biscuits). And that is just the beginning! Oh, the creations you can bake with this one recipe!
Based on the 1-cup mix recipe, bake garlic-cheese biscuits (add 3/4 cup grated cheese of your choice and one pressed garlic clove, or even two, or use a teaspoon of garlic powder).
Garden biscuits (add 3/4 cup finely chopped veggies of your choice).
Herb biscuits (add 1/4 cup fresh herbs or a tablespoon dried herbs).
Hot or mild pepper biscuits (add 3/4 cup chopped jalapenos or other peppers).
Bacon or sausage biscuits (add 3/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon or sausage–make bacon or sausage cheese biscuits! cut the bacon/sausage to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 cup cheese).
As you use Quick Mix, adjust the quantities of the add-ins to suit yourself. Mix and match any and all of the ideas above and come up with new ones! The world is your biscuit! You can do anything with these biscuits, including add three tablespoons of sugar and 3/4 cup fruit or berries to make sweet biscuits.
Have a picky eater in the family? Make your Quick Mix in 1-cup batches and make biscuits to suit everyone. Or awe and amaze company with several different types of biscuits. They’ll wonder, “How can she make so many different kinds of biscuits? Did she slave all day?” They don’t have to know you have Quick Mix!
Could one baking mix possibly do more? Yes, yes, it can!
Pictured: Cream Tea Muffins.
How to make Basic Quick Mix Muffins:
Per 1 cup of Quick Mix used, add–
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons oil
Add sugar, egg, milk, and oil all at once. Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400-degrees approximately 15-18 minutes. Per cup of Quick Mix, the batter makes 4-6 muffins.
But wait, there’s more!
Per 1-cup batch, add 3/4 cup blueberries or other berries of your choice for berry muffins. (Fold gently into mixed batter just before filling muffin cups.)
Add 1/2 cup mashed banana and 1/4 cup chopped nuts for banana-nut muffins.
Add 1/4 cup pureed pumpkin, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 cup chopped nuts for spicy pumpkin muffins.
Use only 3/4 cup mix and add 1/4 cup oatmeal for oatmeal muffins.
For cheese and sausage or bacon muffins, leave out the 3 tablespoons sugar and add 1/2 cup shredded cheese and 1/2 crumbled sausage or bacon.
Again, the varieties are endless, limited only by your imagination and your tastebuds. Get creative!
And there is still more!
How to make Basic Quick Mix Pancakes:
Per 1 cup of Quick Mix used, add–
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
3/4 to 1 cup milk
2 tablespoons oil
Add sugar, egg, milk (adjust to make a good pouring batter), and oil. Stir just till moistened. Pour batter onto hot, lightly greased skillet or griddle, turning to cook second side after first side bubbles on the surface. The 1-cup recipe makes approximately 6 pancakes.
Add fruit, berries, nuts, cinnamon and nutmeg, and anything else you like for variations!
See my Quick Mix Cookbook here for more recipes.
See this recipe at Farm Bell Recipes and save it to your recipe box.
Carolyn A. says:
I’m just getting up and now I want breakfast. Is it too early to come to your house? Wow! Those are some beautiful pancakes Suzanne. I’d be proud to eat at your house anyday. Thanks for the recipe. xxoo
On June 27, 2008 at 5:49 am
TeresaH says:
Yeah, I’m on my way to eat breakfast too…mmmm…. :hungry:
On June 27, 2008 at 6:33 am
Princess THAT'S RIGHT THE ONE AND ONLY says:
im the 3rd person to comment, yay :bananadance:
good looking pancakes by the way :hungry:
On June 27, 2008 at 6:43 am
happyathome says:
What a good idea! This would be good to give to someone also with the recipes printed out. I am sure it is the same for waffles! Watch for my waffle post this Sunday for a “not the usual Betty Crocker” waffles.
https://lifeislikechampagne.blogspot.com/
On June 27, 2008 at 6:45 am
Heidi says:
Gonna try these baby’s tommorow morning – already had breakfast. Johnny cake with little cocktail wieners baked in. The BOYS go gaga over it!
On June 27, 2008 at 6:49 am
Farm Girl says:
Gotta make some of this! I love your Grandmother Bread and this will be so handy to have on hand!! Thanks!
On June 27, 2008 at 6:53 am
DeeBee says:
Thanks for this recipe. I plan to make a batch and try it out. We make plenty of pancakes around here.
On June 27, 2008 at 7:22 am
Blaze says:
This makes me regret not having eaten breakfast this morning..looks like I’m off the the snack machines for something this morning! :hungry:
On June 27, 2008 at 7:47 am
Mental P Mama says:
Yum. Yum. And, yum. :hungry:
On June 27, 2008 at 8:15 am
Cathy J says:
Rachel and Martha, move over! What a great cable show you could have!!!
On June 27, 2008 at 8:17 am
Fannie M Wiggins says:
Darn you Suz, now I am so hungry I’ll have to fix breakfast. :hungry: I never eat in the morning. If I do, I’m hungry all day. I never knew you could do so much with a little bag of mix. WOW. I plan to make some mix, print article and give as gifts. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day and :hug: to all.
On June 27, 2008 at 8:37 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
FYI, I just realized I had a mistake in the muffin recipe, which I just fixed, so be sure to make a note of that. (It’s correct now.) Sorry! Sometimes I have too much going on, LOL.
On June 27, 2008 at 8:48 am
Kathryn says:
I love this mix! We’ve used this for years, and use it mostly for herbed biscuits for Sunday Morning Fry-ups. It really does well in the freezer, and we just measure out what we want, dump it in the bowl, and let it sit for a few minutes to warm up a little.
If you haven’t tried it, I urge you to do so. When all our children were at home, it was a huge timesaver during the week at breakfast. And now, when they come home with their families, we get ready by making enough to fit in the two gallon zip-locks!
On June 27, 2008 at 9:24 am
Shirley says:
You know for a woman that has lived in the big city, you sure do make a great farm gal. Your inventiveness reminds me of my mother. My dad used to say, give her a couple of vegetables from the garden, a little bit of flour and some lard, and you’d have a feast fit for a king.
I was thinking about your chickens this morning. If you plan to use the liter from their yard, be careful with it. it’s really strong.
On June 27, 2008 at 9:37 am
Robin G. says:
I’m trying to low carb, you horrid woman!
On June 27, 2008 at 10:19 am
Amy says:
I love having quick mix on hand. 13 has quite a range of things he makes with it, the most notable being pancackes, but he’s good at waffles, berry muffins and drop biscuits, too.
On June 27, 2008 at 10:52 am
Employee No. 3699 says:
Thank you. I always make pancakes from scratch, but this recipe is more versatile.
I just copied your post and pasted it into Word so I can print it out and it it to my recipe box.
Have a lovely weekend.
Toodles~
On June 27, 2008 at 10:54 am
Crystal B. says:
Yummy! Thanks for the recipes. 🙂
On June 27, 2008 at 11:03 am
Karen B says:
:hungry: When do you ever find time to write books?????????? :typing:
On June 27, 2008 at 11:18 am
Heather Harper says:
😮
I gain weight when I read your blog! :yes:
On June 27, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Donna says:
Suzanne, I now know the perfect job for you – a Home Ec teacher or college Professor. You would be excellent or to have cooking classes for a swank resteraunt/gourmet store. Those all look WONDERFUL and my new oven is installed, ready for baking! I just don’t know how you have the TIME..good grief, with all you do!!!! I don’t accomplish an eighth of what you do and I am tired. LOL
Coco is so precious – oh I just love that pup!
On June 27, 2008 at 12:33 pm
RobynL says:
thanks so much for the recipe; I must try it being we lost biscuits.
On June 27, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Shimmy Mom says:
:hungry: I love food too! Thanks for all the great recipes.
On June 27, 2008 at 2:42 pm
catslady says:
I stopped baking years ago but, girl, you are really making it hard to resist :purr:
On June 27, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Susan says:
It’s official… I had to get another recipe box because of all your delicious recipes! :hungry:
On June 27, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Brandy says:
Ijust used the last of my boxed mix last night. Talk about fortuitious timing! *G*
On June 27, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Shelley says:
:fryingpan: Gosh – do you have a cookbook you sell? If not you should – I would buy it. Love all your recipes!
On June 27, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Estella says:
This mix sounds really handy to have around!
On June 27, 2008 at 5:02 pm
KarenAnn says:
Wow, this recipe looks so versatile. Have you tried making waffles with it? If so, did you use the pancake recipe or a different variation? Thanks in advance! :hungry:
On June 27, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Kelly says:
:cattail: Your Quick Mix looks great , but some of the best biscuit mix in the world is Teays Valley biscuit mix. It’s made in Teays Valley W.V. . The mix uses a very fine flour and I can not buy it in Texas . I have to use Pioneer Buttermilk Mix. I have family in W.V. , and they neglect me by not sending me biscuit mix and I must make sub-prime biscuits with Texas products !!! You also have Tudor Biscuit World in Charleston and I am glad we do not have those here or my husband would need larger clothes.
You really are a West by G. Virginian , as they are all exceptional cooks !
A W.V. ex-pat. who really enjoys your blog and your dog , and your chickens,
Kellynkaty
On July 1, 2008 at 12:48 am
Kim W says:
THANK YOU…thank you…a million times…THANK YOU!!
Blessings from Ohio…
On July 1, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Carole DeJarnatt says:
Just wanted you to know I just printed out your recipe for Quick Mix and additional ingredients for muffins. I have blueberries that the birds are eating and I am going to give it a try.
I’m a non-cook so I hope it turns out for me!
On July 6, 2008 at 8:08 am
Denise says:
:snoopy: Hi there,
I love your blog. I wanted you to know I was just on MaryJanes Farm website and I was going to purchase her Budget Mix now I don’y have to. I can make my own! Have you ever made tortillas with your quick mix?
Thank You,
Denise
:snoopy:
On July 6, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Hi, Denise! I haven’t ever made tortilla chips, but now I want to try it, LOL. When I do, I’ll post about it! Thanks for the idea!
On July 6, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Kay says:
Hello Ma’am.
I spent a whole hour searching for a quick mix recipe that I had seen long ago. Your recipe is the first one I found, and I must say that your recipe looks better than the other one had. I am a young wife, and have just recently begun my love of cooking. I am always looking for new tricks and recipes to add to my remarkably small recipe book. Thank you so much for such fun ideas. I never knew that one could do so much with just one recipe! I am exited to look through more of your recipes!!!
THANK YOU!!!
Kay
On December 28, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Joyce says:
I just found your blog…it is wonderful! You have so many good things on here. I have been looking for a quick mix instead of buying bisquick…thanks for sharing
On March 15, 2009 at 8:51 am
Shelly D. says:
Man, I love your recipes! Thank you so much for this one… I’ll never buy bisquick again!
On March 16, 2009 at 10:27 am
Netherfieldmom says:
Do you have to use sugar in the basic mix? I don’t want sweetness in my biscuit flavor and I am trying to cut way back on sugar…will it work without the sugar? Thanks for all the great recipes, Suzanne.
On March 31, 2009 at 5:54 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
You could leave the sugar out and that would be fine! Well, not for me, LOL, but it would still work!
On March 31, 2009 at 5:56 am
quietstorm says:
OMG!!!! I can now make biscuits!!!! These are so good & fast and EASY!!!! I am on my 3rd batch since last night!!! My “princess” requested to take them to school for lunch… PLEASE post the recipe for the chicken & bisquits – she wants to try that too…
that picture was what tempted me to try one last time to make biscuits! Anytime I had tried to make them before they either came out like hockey pucks or were more work and mess than they were worth… THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! :snoopy:
On April 1, 2009 at 4:59 pm
marylundshu says:
Hi Suzanne,
Have you made cinnamon raisen biscuits? I’d love to know you’re technique if you have.
Thanks :wave:
On April 2, 2009 at 11:27 am
amber says:
I am wondering what you can’t make? lol. have you a recipe for strawberry bread (like banana bread, but with strawberries) I made some today for a bake sale at church, but the recipe wasn’t that great, I didn’t think.
On April 2, 2009 at 9:22 pm
April says:
I LOVE this mix, Suzanne! You’ve saved my family from bananas and cereal for breakfast every day! Thank you!
On May 29, 2009 at 10:38 pm
tusimay says:
Gee, the pancakes were WONDERFUL! I used 3 cups of fresh ground flour and 2 cups of regular flour. I also added 1 tsp. of dough enhancer. I made one batch and they were so good I had to make more. I can’t wait to try the muffins and biscuits. I will make this a basic staple in my kitchen. Thank you so much for the recipe.
On August 31, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Debra says:
Great site and I will enjoy making these for my family. Thank you
On October 25, 2009 at 9:42 am
Angelia May says:
Thanks so much for your recipes, Suzanne!
I was sure I had Bisquick. Working on a recipe this evening, and, nope, no Bisquick. I remembered you had given us this recipe and made it and was able to continue on without any problems.
Thanks!!!!
On November 14, 2009 at 7:46 pm
linniewv says:
For the “shortening” in your biscuits, try bacon grease. You advised to use LARD. Yes, and lard is made from pig/pork fat, same as the fat from fried bacon.
The QUICKEST way my mom made really good biscuits was a bit different from the usual recommendations but worked (and works for me) really well:
Put about half your intended amount of flour (using SELF-RISING flour) into your bread-making bowl. Make a well (depression) in the center. Pour in the total amount of milk (regular works great) in center of the flour and mix just until all flour is dampened. THEN pour on and quickly/lightly mix in about 1 TBSP of bacon grease (cooking oil works, and so does olive oil!)…. or 3-4 TBSP grease/oil if you want really tender, flaky fall-apart biscuits. Then use a heavy spoon (wooden is best) to work in just enough more flour (the half you reserved, but not all at once, in case it’s too much) so that the dough begins to NOT STICK to the sides of the bowl. When the dough is pulling together and away from the bowl, you know you have JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT of dough to make biscuits that will rise tall and not be sticky to work with.
At that point, sprinkle a bit of flour on your hands, dust the waxed paper or dough board with flour, and turn out the dough onto the paper/board. Sprinkle a bit of flour onto the dough. Then quickly begin lifting the edges of the dough blob and turning them up, to center, over. Repeat just a few times, until the dough is in a nice blob and not sticking to everything. Use your floured hands to flatten the dough to about 1 or 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut a biscuit and set aside on the paper/board. Tuck under the odd-shaped piece left by the cutting. Cut another biscuit. Repeat until all dough is used. You won’t have leftover dough pieces you’d need to re-knead and add more flour and end up with tough biscuits.
Be sure your pan already has ample oil/grease in it so you can lay in one biscuit, quickly turn it over, so both top and bottom are greased. Place biscuits in pan NOT TOUCHNG, if you want both top and bottom well browned and crusty, with “done” sices and no doughy parts anywhere when the biscuits finish baking.
BEST KEY: Bake REALLY HOT, and have that oven to the right temperature before the biscuits go in!….about 475 to 500 degrees, only 9-10 minutes; 11 max. If placed with spaces between, your biscuits will be well done, tender, and well browned in just this much time.
NOTE: If your oven heats irregularly and the time is up and the biscuit tops are not nice toasty-crisp-brown, change “bake” to “broil” for 1-3 minutes, watch carefully, and pull out those perfectly browned biscuits.
Try it; you’ll like it. And the more times you try, the more you’ll get “the feel” of perfect dough that makes perfect biscuits.
My instructions may “Sound” complicated, but this method truly is fast and easy and foolproof. Just try it and see.
On November 18, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Sherry says:
I was wondering about the reason for the cream or tartar in the quick-mix, since there is no baking soda. Is it for flavor, boost the baking powder, provide additional raise on its own?
On December 12, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Cream of tartar adds to the rise.
On December 12, 2009 at 7:38 pm
JoLinda Flemister says:
Broken Kid came down today and wanted pancakes. I found an old box of mix and refused to use it. So the only site I came to get a recipe was yours. I now have Quick Mix stored in the cabinet. Broken Kid ate three pancakes himself, Dad had two and a half and I was able to get one and a half.
Broken Kid = his arm snapped in half and pins holding it together.
On December 12, 2009 at 10:18 pm
UlrikeDG says:
I made your biscuits with sausage gravy for supper tonight. They were so light and fluffy, I couldn’t believe it! The one other time I tried to make biscuits from scratch, they… weren’t good. I don’t have a container for extra quickmix right now, so I reduced the recipe for my family of 6, (I was out of cream of tartar, so I left that out):
3 c flour
3 T sugar
3 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c fat (a stick and a half of butter)
1 c milk/buttermilk
Combine as instructed in the original recipe.
This made 12 huge, flakey biscuits for me, but next time, I’ll probably make more smaller ones instead.
On January 8, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Judy says:
This looks great and a wonderful time and mess saver. I’ve been making my own baking powder and love the results.
On February 6, 2010 at 10:00 am
Cassondra says:
How do you make your own baking powder Judy?!
I used chocolate chips in them. They were the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten! Thanks! :shimmy:
On March 10, 2010 at 9:45 am
Victoria says:
Is it possible to substitute the sugar for artificial sweetener such as Splenda.. I hate to do that to the recipe but I can’t eat real sugar. Also is it possible to get the same results for the muffins using a plain yogurt or applesauce? Thanks
On April 10, 2010 at 2:44 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Victoria, yes, you can use yogurt, applesauce, or other liquids. I don’t know about the artificial sweeteners as I haven’t tried that, so you’d have to experiment. If you do, let me know!
On April 10, 2010 at 7:02 am
Dee says:
I really like making this mix, & I love to use it for pancakes!Thanks for a great recipe!I use my homemade baking powder in the mix too. Have you tried that? I found the recipe here – https://postmodernfeeding.blogspot.com/2010/02/burn-sauce-and-baking-powder.html
On August 30, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Candice says:
thanks so much for sharing your quick mix recipes! I can’t wait to try them out!
On August 30, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Tracy says:
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your site!! :heart: THANK YOU!
I am curious about your Quick Mix recipe. I know you said you store the dry ingredients in a canister, but how long would you say the shelf life is on it? I am sorry to bother you if you have already answered this (if so, I have overlooked it).
On September 26, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Tracy, the shelf life would mostly be limited to your baking powder–make sure you use fresh baking powder. I go through mine fairly quickly, so I don’t think much about that. Make it in a quantity you think you’ll use within a few months.
On September 26, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Kim says:
Just found this post! Can’t wait to try it all. I’ve been wanting a homemade mix like this. Bar the pantry door, I’m gonna be a bakin’! :eating:
On October 26, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Sheila says:
I’m gonna try and make these later and add some homemade strawberry jelly to it and try them for breakfast in the morning :). (keep your fingers crossed that it comes out ok LOL).
On November 12, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Connie Baker says:
I agree, you should have your own tv show! I was wondering could I use the quick mix for my sausage ball recipe instead of bisquick mix? I’m gonna make the breakfast casserole for Christmas this year, sounds yummy.
On December 20, 2010 at 4:21 pm
CindyP says:
Connie, I use the Quick Mix in exchange for anything I ever used Bisquick for. HTH!
On December 20, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Yes, Connie, like Cindy said, you can use quick mix in place of biscuit mix in ANY recipe and it works! I’ve tried many and never had a fail.
On December 20, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Stephany Brown says:
Love this recipe. Made some muffins and some biscuits so far. It’s delish! :snoopy:
On March 17, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Heidi says:
This makes the most delicious pancakes.
On April 22, 2011 at 2:14 pm
iamjaytee says:
I want to make your muffins using your spiced applesauce recipe. I clicked on the muffins in the applesauce blog entry and couldnt find anything on these. Can you tell me how much applesauce to add to your basic muffin mix? Thanks so much! My son’s favorite muffins are apple cinnamon, and I can’t seem to find a good recipe!
On October 19, 2011 at 10:01 pm
brookdale says:
Suzanne, just wanted to tell you I finally made your Quick Mix. I substituted 1 c whole wheat flour for 1 c of the white flour.
Made biscuits with it for lunch today to try it out…got 6 regular size plus the little one for the middle of the pan. And I have to say they were EXCELLENT! So tender and flaky! DH and I ate them ALL with my homemade rhubarb/strawberry jam.
Thank you so much for this recipe, and all the variations.
P.S. Have fun in your new house!
On December 6, 2011 at 1:36 pm
MrsNutMeg says:
Super excited to have these for breakfast tomorrow! I made them up so all I have to do is toss them in the oven in the morning :woof:
On May 18, 2013 at 12:49 am
aerynnd says:
This is wonderful! I’m a single cook on a budget, but most from-scratch recipes make at least a dozen. I can’t eat that before some go bad, and my freezer is small. Six biscuits or muffins are perfect for a few days, I can bake them in my toaster-oven, and the recipes are versatile enough that I shouldn’t get bored. :turtle:
On August 31, 2013 at 12:47 am