CFS-511

Purdue University

Cooperative Extension Service

West Lafayette, IN 47907



Master Mix



Gertrude Sunderlin
Former Professor of Foods and Nutrition




CONTENTS

Making the Master Mix 
Using Lard or Oil in the Master Mix
Adapting Recipes for Use with the Master Mix
Biscuits  
Muffins
Griddle Cakes or Waffles                   
Coffee Cake   
Gingerbread 
Dumplings                    
Corn Bread
Yellow Cake 
Orange Raisin Cake
Apple Cake  
Chocolate Cake
Blackberry Roll   
Caramel Dumplings
Apple Crisp Topping
Donut Muffins 
Baked Chocolate Pudding                   
Steamed Fruit Pudding  
Drop Cookies
Molasses Cookies 
Peanut Butter Cookies                     
Chocolate Drop Cookies                    
Oatmeal Cookies
You May Want to Try These

Just a few of the products that come from the Master Mix.

MASTER MIX

THE MASTER MIX recipes are time savers and reputation builders. The siftings and measurings of the dry ingredients and the blending of the fat can be done at one time for a dozen bakings. The recipes are planned for "family size" and for two. The Mix will keep at least six weeks without refrigeration.

The Mix and recipes were developed and tested in the experimental cookery laboratory in the School of Home Economics at Purdue University. The experimental work was done by Lucy Goetz, Margaret Billings, Carlotta Hoadley and many other students. Recipe suggestions were given by Alice Redfield, Flossie Sunderlin and other homemakers. Rosemary Hostetler assisted in editing.

Making the Master Mix

       For 13 Cups                      For 29 Cups

9 cups sifted all-purpose flour      5 pounds flour
      or
10 cups sifted soft wheat or
   cake flour
1/3 cup double-acting baking         3/4 cup double acting baking
   powder                               powder
1 tablespoon salt                    2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar           2 1/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/4 cup sugar                        1/2 cup sugar
2 cups shortening which does         4 1/2 cups shortening which does
   not require refrigeration            not require refrigeration

Stir baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and sugar into flour. Sift together three times into a large mixing bowl or onto a large square of plain paper. Cut in shortening until Mix is consistency of corn meal. Store in covered containers at room temperature. To measure the Master Mix, pile it lightly into cup and level off with a spatula.

If the Master Mix is to be used largely for cakes and cookies, starting with a box of cake flour will save measuring the flour and will give better-textured products. For about 12 cups of Mix, use a box of cake flour (2 pounds), 1/3 cup baking powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 3/4 pound (1 3/4 cups) shortening.

Containers which are convenient for storing Master Mix are two-quart fruit jars, cottage cheese cartons, lard or potato chip cans and canisters. One user wrote that when making the Mix she stored it in measured portions, two cups in pint jars and three cups in quart jars, to save herself several measurings later.

Using Lard or Oil In the Master Mix

If lard or oil is used as the shortening in the Master Mix recipe, a smaller amount of shortening should be used. This may be 1 2/3 cups lard or oil instead of 2 cups of other shortening or 1 5/6 pounds instead of 2 pounds (1/6 pound lard equals 1/3 cup).

If lard which requires refrigeration is used in the Master Mix recipe, the Mix should be refrigerated.

A change in the method of mixing cakes is suggested if lard or oil is used in the Master Mix recipe. Separate the yolks and whites of the eggs. Reserve about one-fourth of the sugar and beat it into the beaten egg whites to form a stiff meringue. Follow the other directions for cake mixing. Stir in the meringue until well blended as the last step in the mixing process.

Adapting Recipes for Use with the Master Mix

The Master Mix can be used in many products which have similar basic proportions. Use the Master Mix instead of the flour, salt, baking powder and shortening. Two cups of Mix contain a little less than 1 1/2 cups of flour, about 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a little more than 1/4 cup shortening. Three cups of Mix contain about 2 cups of flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a little less than 1/2 cup shortening.

A favorite recipe which contains about one-fifth as much shortening as flour by measure probably can be made using the Mix. In order to have proportions in the Mix that would be satisfactory for several types of baked products, the upper limit for shortening is approached in biscuits and muffins and the lower limit for cakes and cookies.

Although the lowest proportions of fat to flour used in making pastry approximates that in the Master Mix, pastry made from the Mix is not satisfactory. The baking powder in the Mix makes the pastry porous rather than flaky. However, by using only water with the Mix, one can make a type of pastry that can be used as a thin crust for meat pie or a deep dish fruit pie. It takes about one-eighth as much water as Mix for such pastry.

Biscuits

                   Family Size         Just for Two

     Mix           3 cups                1 cup
     Milk         2/3 cup                1/4 cup
     Yield        18 2-inch              6 2-inch

Add milk to the Mix all at once, stirring 25 strokes. Knead 15 strokes on lightly floured board. Roll 1/2 inch thick. Cut. Bake on baking sheet in a hot oven (450F) 10 minutes.

Biscuit dough can be used in many ways. For variation grated cheese, chopped parsley, chives or herbs blended with the dough lend interest. This dough is rich enough for shortcake or for the top crust of a chicken or meat pie. It will serve as the dough for a meat roll--chopped meat bound together with gravy and spread over the dough, then rolled as a jelly roll and cut before baking. This can be served with gravy or with a cheese sauce.

The dough can be used as a covering in baked apple dumplings or for the dough for a fruit or pinwheel roll. It can be dropped on top of hot stewed fruit or berries and baked as a "cobbler."

Drop biscuits can be made from this recipe by increasing the milk to 1 cup for the family size recipe or to 1/3 cup for the "just for two" size recipe.

Muffins

                  Family Size       Just for Two

     Mix           3 cups            1 cup
     Sugar         2 tablespoons     1 tablespoon
     Milk          1 cup             1/3 cup
     Egg           1                 1/2 or one yolk
     Yield         12 medium         6 small

Add sugar to the Mix. Combine milk and beaten egg. Add to the Mix. Stir until flour is just moistened (about 25 strokes). Bake in greased muffin pans in hot oven (425F) about 20 minutes.

Blueberry muffins can be made by adding a cup of drained blueberries to the family size recipe. Chopped dates, chopped nuts, chopped apples or chopped cranberries are good additions. Make oatmeal or bran muffins by substituting rolled oats or bran for 1/3 of the Mix. Nut or fruit bread may be made from the muffin recipe by adding 1/2 cup chopped nuts or 1 cup chopped dried apricots or prunes to the family size recipe and baking it in a loaf pan.

Griddle Cakes or Waffles

                  Family Size         Just for Two

     Mix            3 cups              1 cup
     Milk          1 1/2 cups           1/2 cup
     Egg             1                  1/2 or 1 yolk
     Yield         18 griddle cakes or  6 griddle cakes or
                   6 waffles            2 waffles

Stir the combined milk and beaten egg into the Mix until blended. Bake on hot griddle or in waffle iron.

The milk can be increased it a thinner griddle cake is desired. If the batter is thinner, the waffles require longer baking to make them crisp.

Delicious pancakes from the Master Mix.

One of the Master Mix contributions is blackberry roll.

Coffee Cake

                  Family Size       Just for Two

     Mix          2 1/4 cups          1 cup
     Sugar        1/3 cup             3 tablespoons
     Milk         1/3 cup             3 tablespoons
     Egg          1                  1/2 or 1 yolk

Topping

     Brown Sugar  1/2 cup             1/4 cup
     Butter        3 tablespoons       1 tablespoon
     Cinnamon     1/2 teaspoon        1/4 teaspoon
     Yield        8x8 cake            4x6 cake

Stir sugar into the Mix. Combine milk and beaten egg. Stir into the Mix until well blended (about one minute). Put into shallow greased pan. Spread or dot topping over batter and bake in a hot oven (400F) about 25 minutes.

The brown sugar mixture can be used as a filling instead of a topping. A date topping or filling can be used instead of the one given above. For a filling, spread about half of the batter on the pan, then a thin layer of filling and then the remaining batter. For the family size recipe, blend 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 14 cup soft butter, 1/4 cup chopped nuts and 1/2 cup chopped dates. For the smaller recipe use 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons soft butter, 2 tablespoons chopped nuts and 14 cup chopped dates.

Gingerbread


                    Family Size     Just for Two
     Mix              2 cups           1 cup
     Sugar          1/4 cup            2 tablespoons
     Cinnamon       1/2 teaspoon      1/4 teaspoon
     Ginger         1/2 teaspoon      1/4 teaspoon
     Cloves         1/4 teaspoon      1/4 teaspoon
     Egg              1               1/2 or 1 yolk
     Molasses       1/2 cup           1/4 cup
     Water          1/2 cup           1/4 cup
     Yield         6x8 pan            4x6 pan

Stir sugar and spices into the Mix. Combine egg, molasses and water. Stir half the liquid into the Mix and beat two minutes. Stir in remaining liquid- and beat one minute. Bake in pan lined with waxed paper in a moderate oven (350F) about 40 minutes. Or bake in a waffle iron for gingerbread waffles. Gingerbread waffles can be topped with sweetened whipped cream and chopped bananas.

Dumplings

                   Family Size      Just for Two
     Mix             3 cups            1 cup
     Milk           3/4 cup           1/4 cup
     Yield          12 medium          4 medium

Add milk to the Mix all at once, stirring about 30 strokes. Drop by tablespoon on top of boiling stew. Cover and boil gently 12 minutes without removing cover. These can be dropped as a topping on a meat or vegetable casserole and baked in a hot oven about 20 minutes.

Corn Bread

                    Family Size     Just for Two

     Mix           1 1/2 cups           3/4 cup
     Corn Meal       3/4 cup            1/3 cup
     Salt            1/2 teaspoon       1/4 teaspoon
     Sugar            2 tablespoons     1 tablespoon
     Milk             1 cup             1/2 cup
     Egg              1                 1
     Yield         8x10 pan            6x6 pan

Stir corn meal, salt and sugar into the Mix. Combine milk and beaten egg. Add to the Mix, stirring until blended. Bake in greased pan in a hot oven (400F) about 20 minutes, or bake as corn meal muffins. Corn bread can be used as a topping for a well-seasoned vegetable or meat pie.

If a dry corn bread is desired, use 3/4 cup milk for the family size or 1/3 cup for the smaller recipe.

Yellow Cake

                  Family Size          Just for Two

     Mix           3 cups               1 1/2 cups
     Sugar        1 1/4 cups              2/3 cup
     Milk           1 cup                 1/2 cup
     Eggs           2                     1
     Vanilla        1 teaspoon            1/2 teaspoon
     Yield        Two 8-inch layers      8-inch layer

Stir sugar into the Mix. Combine milk, eggs and vanilla. Stir half of the liquid into the Mix and beat two minutes or use electric mixer for the same length of time at low speed. Scrape bowl occasionally. Add the remaining liquid and beat two minutes. Bake in pans lined with waxed paper in a moderate oven (375F) about 25 minutes.

This cake recipe can be used for "upside down" cake using sweetened pineapple, peaches, cherries, apricots or other fruits or berries. Mincemeat "upside down" cake is another good variation. Spices will change it to a spice cake.

Orange Raisin Cake


                    Family Size         Just for Two

     Mix             3 cups             1 1/2 cups
     Sugar         1 1/2 cups              3/4 cup
     Liquid        Juice of 1 orange    Juice of small orange
                   and water to make    and water to make
                     1 cup                1/2 cup
     Eggs            2                    1
     Chopped
       raisins       2/3 cup              1/3 cup
     Grated   
       orange rind    1                    1
     Yield         Two 9-inch layers     9-inch layer

Stir sugar into the Mix. Combine liquid and beaten eggs. Add half of the liquid to the Mix and beat two minutes or use electric mixer for the same length of time at low speed. Scrape bowl occasionally. Add remaining liquid, raisins and orange rind. Beat two minutes. Bake in pans lined with waxed paper in a moderate oven (375F) about 25 minutes.

The raisins can be omitted from the cake and added to the frosting.

This is one of the cakes which can be made from the Master Mix.

Apple Cake

                  Family Size       Just for Two

     Mix           2 1/3 cups          1 1/4 cups
     Sugar (brown)   1 cup              1/2 cup
     Cinnamon        1 teaspoon         1/2 teaspoon
     Cloves        1/2 teaspoon         1/4 teaspoon
     Eggs            2                  1
     Apples
       (chopped)     2 cups             1 cup
     Raisins       1/2 cup              1/4 cup
     Nut meats
       (chopped)    1/2 cup             1/4 cup
     Yield         6x8 pan              4x6 pan

Add sugar, spices and eggs to the Mix. Beat one minute. Add apples. Beat two minutes. Stir in raisins and nuts. Pour into greased pan. Bake in a moderate oven (375F) about 35 minutes. If a more moist cake is desired, add 1/3 cup milk for the family size recipe and 2 tablespoons milk for the small size recipe.

Chocolate Cake


                  Family Size         Just for Two
     Mix             3 cups           1 1/2 cups
     Cocoa          1/2 cup             1/4 cup
     Sugar        1 1/2 cups            3/4 cup
     Milk         1 1/4 cups            2/3 cup
     Eggs            2                  1
     Vanilla         1 teaspoon         1/2 teaspoon
     Yield        Two 9-inch layers    9-inch layer

Add cocoa to the sugar and stir into the Mix. Combine milk, eggs and vanilla. Stir half of the liquid into the Mix and beat two minutes or use electric mixer for the same length of time at low speed. Scrape bowl occasionally. Add the remaining liquid and beat two minutes. Bake in pans lined with waxed paper in a moderate oven (375F) about 25 minutes.

Chocolate cake batter can be baked in a waffle iron and served cold with ice cream or whipped cream.

Blackberry Roll

                      Family Size      Just for Two

     Mix               2 cups           2/3 cup
     Water             1/4 cup          4 teaspoons
     Blackberries    1 1/2 cups         2/3 cup
     Sugar             1/4 cup         2 tablespoons
     Flour           1 tablespoon      1 teaspoon
     Yield           6 servings        2 servings

Add water by sprinkling it over the Mix. Stir with a fork to blend. Roll as for pastry into an oblong piece about 1/4 inch thick. Mix blackberries with sugar and flour. Spread them over the pastry to within an inch on all sides. Roll up like a jelly roll and tuck in the ends. Place on baking sheet. Bake in a moderate oven (375F) until lightly browned (about 35 minutes). Serve hot.

Caramel Dumplings


Caramel Sauce        Family Size      Just for Two

     Butter           2 tablespoons   1 tablespoon
     Brown sugar     1 1/2 cups        1/2 cup
     Water           1 1/2 cups        2/3 cup

Dumplings

     Mix             1 1/2 cups        1/2 cup
     Sugar           1/3 cup           2 tablespoons
     Milk            1/3 cup           2 tablespoons
     Yield           6 medium           2 medium

Combine ingredients for caramel sauce. Heat to boiling. Stir sugar into Mix. Add milk all at once, stirring about 30 strokes. Drop by tablespoon on top of boiling caramel sauce. Cover and boil gently for 20 minutes without removing cover.

This dumpling recipe can be used with a sweetened fruit or berry syrup instead of caramel sauce.

Apple Crisp Topping

                   Family Size      Just for Two

     Mix            1 cup             1/3 cup
     Sugar         3/4 cup            1/4 cup
     Egg            1                  1-yolk
     Yield          8-inch casserole   4-inch casserole

Stir sugar into the Mix. Add beaten egg and stir until blended. Spread over prepared fruit in a casserole. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes. This can be used as a topping for sweetened apple, peach, rhubarb or other fruit.

Donut Muffins

                  Family Size          Just for Two

     Mix           2 cups                1 cup
     Sugar         2 tablespoons         1 tablespoon
     Milk          1/3 cup               3 tablespoons
     Egg            1                    1 yolk

Coating

      Butter
       (melted)    1/2 cup               1/4 cup
     Sugar         1/2 cup               1/4 cup
     Cinnamon      1 teaspoon           1/2 teaspoon
     Yield        18 small              9 small

Stir sugar into the Mix. Combine milk and beaten egg. Stir into the Mix until well blended. Bake in small, well greased muffin tins in a hot oven (400F) 20 minutes. Dip one at a time into melted butter. Remove quickly and shake in a sack containing the sugar and cinnamon. Serve hot.

For variety, add 3 tablespoons cocoa to the Mix used in the family size recipe.

Baked Chocolate Pudding

                   Family Size         Just for Two

     Mix           1 cup                 1/2 cup
     Sugar         1/3 cup              3 tablespoons
     Cocoa         4 teaspoons          2 teaspoons
     Cinnamon      1/4 teaspoon          1/8 teaspoon
     Nut meats
       (chopped)   1/2 cup               1/4 cup
     Milk          1/3 cup              3 tablespoons

Topping

     Sugar (brown) 1/2 cup               1/4 cup
     Cocoa         3 tablespoons       1 1/2 tablespoons
     Water         1 1/4 cups            2/3 cup
     Yield         6x8 pan               4x6 pan

Stir sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, nuts and milk into the Mix. Beat for three minutes. Spread in pan. For topping, combine brown sugar and cocoa. Sprinkle over batter in pan. Bring water to boiling point. Pour over the contents of the pan. Bake in a moderate oven (350F) 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with chocolate sauce that forms beneath it. Use cream or whipped cream if desired. If served cold, it combines well with ice cream.

Steamed Fruit Pudding

                  Family Size         Just for Two

     Mix           2 cups              3/4 cup
     Sugar        1/3 cup             2 tablespoons
     Milk         1/2 cup             3 tablespoons
     Fruit        1/2 cup              1/4 cup
     Yield        6-inch casserole     2 ramekins

Stir sugar into the Mix. Stir in the milk and the chopped fruits or berries until blended. Pour into a greased casserole or pan or into ramekins. Steam over water in a covered pan for 30 minutes. Serve hot with top milk or cream and sugar.

Drop Cookies

                  Family Size            Just for Two

     Mix           3 cups                  2 cups
     Sugar         1 cup                  2/3 cup
     Milk          1/3 cup                1/4 cup
     Egg            1                      1
     Vanilla       1 teaspoon             1/2 teaspoon
     Variations:   1/2 cup chocolate      1/3 cup chocolate
                     chunks or            chunks or
                   1/2 cup chopped        1/3 cup chopped
                     nut meats or         nut meats or
                   1/2 cup raisins or     1/3 cup raisins or
                   1/2 cup dates or       1/3 cup dates or
                    1 tablespoon orange   2 teaspoons orange
                     rind and 1/2 cup       rind and 1/3 cup
                     raisins (omit          raisins (omit
                     vanilla)               vanilla)
                  Molasses instead of     Molasses instead of
                   milk. Add 1/8            milk. Add 1/16
                   teaspoon mace         teaspoon mace
     Yield         4 dozen                2 1/2 dozen

Stir sugar into the Mix. Combine milk, beaten egg and vanilla. Stir into the Mix until well blended. Drop by teaspoon on greased baking sheet. Bake in a moderate oven (375F) 10 to 12 minutes.

To make dough for rolled cookies instead of drop cookies omit the milk and use two eggs instead of one. Tightly packed brown sugar can be used in place of white.

Molasses Cookies

                  Family Size          Just for Two

     Mix           4 cups                2 cups
     Sugar        1/2 cup                1/4cup
     Cinnamon      1 teaspoon            1/2 teaspoon
     Ginger        1 teaspoon            1/2 teaspoon
     Cloves        1/2 teaspoon          1/4 teaspoon
     Egg            1                    1 yolk
     Molasses       1 cup                1/2 cup
     Yield         5 dozen              2 1/2 dozen

Stir sugar and spices into the Mix. Combine beaten egg with molasses and add to the Mix. Blend well, chill, shape into balls and roll in sugar. Flatten on greased baking sheet and bake in a moderate oven (375F) 10 to 12 minutes.

Ginger snaps can be made by using 2 1/4 cups Mix with 3/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/4 cup molasses and 1 teaspoon ginger.

Peanut Butter Cookies

                   Family Size         Just for Two

     Mix            3 1/2 cups            1 3/4 cups
     Sugar          1 1/3 cups              2/3 cup
     Eggs            2                     1
     Peanut Butter   1 cup                  1/2 cup
     Yield          6 dozen               3 dozen

Stir sugar, beaten egg and peanut butter into the Mix until well blended. The finger tips may be used to aid in kneading and blending. Roll dough into small balls, place on baking sheet and flatten with a fork, making a criss cross. Bake in a moderate oven (375F) about 20 minutes.

Out of your jar of Master Mix comes a variety of mouth- watering cookies.

Use a large bowl or a piece of plain paper in cutting the shortening into the dry ingredients.

Chocolate Drop Cookies

                  Family Size       Just for Two

     Mix             3 cups            2 cups
     Sugar           1 cup             2/3 cup
     Cocoa          1/3 cup            1/4 cup
     Milk           1/2 cup            1/3 cup
     Egg             1                     1
     Vanilla        1 teaspoon         1/2  teaspoon
     Yield          4 dozen            2 1/2 dozen

Stir sugar and cocoa into the Mix. Combine milk, beaten egg and vanilla. Stir into the Mix until well blended. Drop by teaspoon on greased baking sheet. Bake in moderate oven (350F) 10 to 12 minutes.

Raisins, nuts, chopped dates or chocolate chunks can be stirred into the batter.

Brownies can be made by using 3/4 cup mix; 1 cup sugar; 2 squares chocolate; 3 tablespoons melted butter; 2 eggs and 1 cup chopped nut meats. Bake in greased 8 x 8 pan in a moderate oven (350F) about 30 minutes. Cut while warm.

Oatmeal Cookies

                    Family Size       Just for Two

     Mix            2 1/4 cups          3/4 cup
     Sugar (brown)  1 3/4 cups          1/2 cup
     Cinnamon       1 teaspoon          1/4 teaspoon
     Milk           1/3 cup             2 tablespoons
     Eggs             2                  1 small
     Shortening
       (melted)     1/2 cup             3 tablespoons
     Nut meats
       (chopped)    1/2 cup             3 tablespoons
     Rolled oats
       (quick)      3 cups               1 cup
     Yield          6 dozen              2 dozen

Stir sugar and cinnamon into the Mix. Combine milk, beaten egg and shortening. Stir into the Mix until well blended. Stir in the rolled oats and nuts. Drop by teaspoon on baking sheet. Bake in a moderate oven (375F) about 12 minutes.

This dough can be used for filled fruit bars, using a filling of ground dates or raisins moistened with lemon juice.

You May Want to Try These

Many puddings similar to the baked chocolate pudding can be made. The cake batter is put into an ungreased pan. The topping can consist of brown sugar, chopped nuts and water; or of a sweetened berry sauce; or of a caramel or maple syrup. The topping will sink to the bottom as the cake bakes. Yellow or white cake batter can be used instead of chocolate.

The cake batter can be steamed about 30 minutes in custard cups for steamed pudding.

Three egg whites or five egg yolks can be used in the yellow cake recipe to make a white or a gold cake.

Non-fat dry milk solids can be added to the Mix. Use 1 cup of the non-fat dry milk solids in the smaller Mix recipe or 2 cups in the larger one. Then use water instead of milk in the recipes if you wish. Or milk can be used to further increase the food value.

For cheese balls mix 2 tablespoons margarine or butter, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, and 1 1/2 cups grated cheese with 1 cup of Master Mix. Blend well, with beater or by kneading. Form into 24 small balls. Bake on a baking sheet in a moderate oven (375F) about 15 minutes.


RR 5/94

* Written by Gertrude Sunderlin, former professor of foods and nutrition.

Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H.A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to our programs and facilities.