This is the question I have been pondering for a while now. It is often cheaper to make your own mixes, right? But what if you don't use the mix you make? In recent years I have not done a lot of baking, yet I feel it would be more economical to do that now. I purchased the "Make-A-Mix" cookbook a few years ago, but haven't really put it to frequent use yet. There are a lot of different recipes in there, but I feel the most economical use for me would be the bread and cookie recipes. My problem is that I have tried making mixes before and not used them up before they went bad ( a year or more). In that case, would it be better to purchase a redi-made mix from the store? At least with a store bought mix, if I don't use it and don't think I will, but see that it will expire in a month or two I can donate it to the food pantry. If I make a mix at home, but see that I won't be able to use it up, I can't donate it. I know I need to be more diligent in making the best use of our groceries and I am working in that direction, but sometimes the very thing I thought I would want ends up turning my stomach at the thought of making it.

I am just wondering what your thoughts are on this subject. For the most part I do cook from scratch and make what I need as I go along, but I can see how making a mix can also be a real time saver and cost cutter.

Thanks for your 2 cents in advance.

Kathy

 I make a lot of mixes, and use them religiously.  I have both Make A Mix books and a few others that I use the recipes from(we have many favorites from them).  I also buy a lot of premixed items, like cake mixes, cupcake mixes, quick bread mixes, cookie mixes, pie crust mixes, etc.  I think you need to find what suits your style, cooking needs and most importantly menu plan.  Buying and stocking items you will never use, even home mixes, is a waste of money, time and effort.

I just purchased 20 boxes of Duncan Hines Cupcake Mix(frosting mix included) for $1 each at Dollar Tree this week(each box makes 12 cupcakes), can't make them for that with a mix unless the items were given to me free.  One style or flavor has jimmies in the mix, again cant buy them and keep the cost down on making cupcakes in the quantity I do and as often as I do.  I will use these 20 boxes before the 4th of July so I am considering going back and buying 20 more.

As far as mixes go, we use the Oriental Sauce mix in the Make A Mix book at least twice a week.  When I mix it up I make at least half a gallon at a time.  Considering the small packets at the store of the dry mix or buying an Asian flavored sauce in the bottle, we figure we save about $71 a year using the mix.  I also make a few of the meat mixes for the freezer.  For many different reasons these work wonderful for us and our menu plan.  I buy Bisquick or Jiffy Mix, Pancake Mix, etc.

I bake off(ground meat, liquid and bouillon)about 30 pounds of ground meat(beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb, ham, fishes)at a time, sometimes I flavor it for specific dishes like chili, but for the most part I leave it flavored with bouillon.  I also grill chicken breasts, turkey cutlets, small steaks for sandwiches, etc., ahead of time and freeze in buns for lunches.

Again do what suits you for your menu plan or lifestyle, sometimes home made mixes just dont work. 

Brianschef Michelle 

kabin:

My problem is that I have tried making mixes before and not used them up before they went bad ( a year or more).

Kathy

I do sometimes make my own mixes (cocoa being a big hit in the winter) what might work is if you made a small batch 1/2-1/4 recipe till you're sure that it will be popular and used in a full or double batch. When I make the cocoa mix in the winter it cost me about $2 and I (or I should say the dks) get $6 worth of use out of it.

 I did a lot of make you rown mixes when the kids were small. I havent for a long time now. Pancake mix is so cheap at the dent store. I buy the complete mix so dont need to worryif there are eggs are milk in the house. Cake mixes...i love. I like to try different things. I use Jiffy mix some. NOt as much as in the past. I do cookies from scratch. If I made mixes again, it would be cookies. I bake those more than others things. Michelle, I will be checking out Dollar Tree tonight for cake mix. Sounds like a good buy. We like cupcakes and 12 is enough DH is on a diet and will eat all that I bake. lol Babs

Brianschef:

 I make a lot of mixes, and use them religiously.  I have both Make A Mix books and a few others that I use the recipes from

Brianschef Michelle 

If you don't mind Michelle, can you list some of the mix recipes in those books? You don't have to list the actual recipes, but just the names of the mixes would be nice. I wouldn't mind having a book like that, if it has enough mixes in it that I would use.

Anybody have a good Bisquick mix????? That's probably one that I would use very often.

I think that I would use mixes if I made them myself and stuck to only mixes I use on a regular basis. I buy a lot of boxed mixes (I usually just stock up when they are on sale) because I work full time and they are easy to do after work. I cook in bulk and freeze my "main meals", pull them out for week-day dinners and usually do a veggie and some type of other side to go with it.

God bless,

Julie

If you aren't using up the big volume Make a Mixes, why not just make a mix up as you need it?  We used to Make a Mix but now we just stir up a recipe as needed: pancakes, dumplings, drop biscuits, muffins, etc.  

I prefer food as fresh as I can without too much hassle.

Mixes: When I make a mix for pancakes/ waffles/ muffins, I make a separate mix in a baggie for dry ingredients, for the next time. 

The book I had for mixes called for dry eggs and I just didn't want to bother looking for those at the store and buying them.

I make a mix for hot chocolate. 

Everything else I make/ cook as I go. I don't freeze much food except for cooked beans, shredded zucchini.

 I have a good baking mix that I've been using for years.  It makes a large batch which I store in the refrigerator.  I'll try to remember to post it tomorrow. 

juju_mommy:

can you list some of the mix recipes in those books?

Here are some of the master mixes listed in my book.

Breadmaker mix  also says you can make bigger or smaller loaves

Brownie Mix

Corn Bread Mix

Graham-Cracker-Crust mix

Hot Roll Mix

Muffin Mix

Quick Mix - this would be the bisquik type mix

All purpose cake mix

Snack cake mix

Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix

Chocolate Pudding and Pie Filling Mix, also vanilla and lemon mixes

Cookie Mix

Crisp Coating Mix

Taco Seasoning Mix

Meaball Mix- there are several meat mixes

Fruit Slush Mix

And the list goes on.

Thanks for your responses everyone. I usually do a lot of it as needed, but was just wondering if I would be better motivated if they were prepared and in the freezer. Just thaw and go forth. The one thing the book mentions that I really liked was making and freezing cookie dough. I have never done this before because I always wondered if it would alter the quality, but there are times I think I would bake more if all I had to do was pop them in the oven.