Dark Rich Chocolate Cake Mix

1 cup unbleached white flour

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1-1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon instant coffee crystals

You may use a plastic, gallon sized, zipper bag for this recipe.  Measure all of these ingredients into the bag.  Zipper it closed, and gently shake to combine all of the ingredients.  Label the bag, and make sure it is sealed all the way.  Store in pantry for a short while, or in freezer until needed.  

To Prepare

1 package of Dark Rich Chocolate Cake Mix
2 cups tap water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 medium eggs

Empty the cake mix into a big bowl.  Add the water, oil and eggs.  Beat with a whisk or electric beaters for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and any lumps ar gone.  Turn the batter into a well oiled 9" x 13" rectangular pan.  Bake at 350° for about 35 to 40 minutes.  The sides should be pulled away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.  Be careful not to overbake.  Cool and frost as desired.  Makes about 24 pieces.  

 

Pioneer Mom's note: Cake mix is such a handy thing to have on hand. Then even the children can bake a cake. And your mind can be at total ease, knowing you don't have any 'junk' in the homemade mix...

Instant Oatmeal Mix

4 cups regular or old-fashioned oats
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup or more, dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apples or bananas)
1 cup instant powdered dry milk
Dash of salt

Put all ingredients in food processor and grind together to desired coarseness. Watch it; it won't take long! You may store mixture in a jar or bag in the freezer, or place by 1/2 cupfuls in ziploc bags and freeze.
 

Take 1/2 cup oatmeal mix into a hot-water-resistant bowl. Add one cup of boiling water. Stir and let thicken and cool off for a few minutes.

Pioneer Mom's Note: If there is one thing people really waste money on, its those little packets of instant oatmeal. You could omit the sugar and just add some honey when you add hot water if you prefer it that way. 

Vanilla Pudding Mix

3 cups nonfat dry milk
4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
3 cups cornstarch

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix all except the vanilla, and store in an airtight container. To prepare, mix 1/2 cup of mix to 2 cups milk. Heat and stir constantly while boiling. Cool, then add 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract.

Pioneer Mom's Note: You could probably cut down on the sugar in this recipe a bit if you watch out not to eat too much of it. Not that I have to pack school lunches, but if I did, I would be happy to send some of this pudding along once in a while. At our house we love this pudding poured warm into a baked pie crust, cooled and topped with whipped cream.  

Ranch Dressing and Dip

8 teaspoons dried minced onion

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

Store this dry powder in the refrigerator or cool place. It will last a long time if kept cold.

FOR DRESSING:

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup buttermilk

 To prepare dressing, combine 1 tablespoon dry mix with mayonnaise and buttermilk; refrigerate. Yield: 2 cups. 

For DIP:

1 cup sour cream

To prepare dip: In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon mix and sour cream; refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Yield: 1 cup. 

Pioneer Mom's Notes: This is one of my all-time favorites. Ever since I started making this dressing with my homemade buttermilk, we like to have it on hand. If it gets empty, it is ever so easy to take buttermilk, mayo, the dry powder and voila! An instant ranch dressing. No more storebought ranch around here! This beats many dressings I have ever tasted. And, there is no msg, guaranteed. Well, I guess you better make sure there is no msg in the mayonnaise you use...I often just use a cheap salad dressing.

 

Pancake Mix

10 cups flour

1 1/2  cups sugar

1 T salt

2 T baking powder

4 tsp soda

2 1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder

(or 2 1/2 cups dry milk powder)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together to blend well. Put in a large airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place. 

To make the pancakes:

1 3/4 cupful of pancake mix
1 egg 

1 cup water

1/4 cup cooking oil

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Use a pan with a nonstick surface or apply a little nonstick spray.

In a blender or with a mixer, combine all of the remaining ingredients until smooth.

Pour the batter by spoonfuls into the hot pan, forming 5-inch circles. When the edges appear to harden, flip the pancakes. They should be light brown. Cook on the other side for same amount of time, until light brown.

Makes 8 to 10 pancakes.