This winter in Minnesota has been brutal. If it's not frigidly cold out, it's dumping snow. Today is no exception. We're under yet another winter storm. Needless to say, hot chocolate has been our favorite way to warm up during this long winter.  Homemade hot chocolate mix makes it cheap and easy to drink.  This is one of the best recipes we have found.  Warning, this recipe makes a ton for multiple uses.  Cut it in half if you don't drink hot chocolate often. 3 Cups nonfat dry milk powder (powdered milk) 2 Cups powdered sugar (confectioners sugar) 1 1/2 Cups Cocoa powder (we use Hershey’s cocoa) 1/2 tsp salt Stir in 3 Tablespoons of mix with 1 Cup hot milk. Top with whipped cream or mini marshmallows. There you have it...the best homemade hot chocolate mix ever!   … [Read more...]

To make your own Corn Bread Mix you will need the following: 4 Cups unbleached flour, sifted 4 Cups yellow corn meal, fine ground 2 Cups buttermilk powder 1 Cup sugar 1/2 Cup baking powder 1 Tablespoon baking soda 2 Teaspoons salt Mix all ingredients well and store in an air-tight container. To make corn bread you will need the following: 1 egg, beaten 1/2 Cup water 2 Tablespoons Vegetable oil 1 1/3 cups of your cornbread mix Mix well and place into a greased square pan and bake at 425 for 13 minutes or until golden brown.     … [Read more...]

Here is what you will need to make your own mix of fantastic Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal: 1 Cup oatmeal (quick oats)- grind until finely ground 1 Cup oatmeal (quick oats)- leave whole 2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 T maple flavoring (not syrup-flavoring) 1 Cup brown sugar packed Mix all ingredients in a large container  (feel free to double this or even triple it). Store in an air-tight jar. When you are ready to prepare simply scoop 1/2 cup out and add 3/4 cup water and microwave for 30-45 seconds. Delish!     … [Read more...]

It's back to the grind and back to school time so I thought I'd share my favorite pancake mix with you! These are great for a Saturday morning or even a weeknight dinner. Here is what you will need to make your own pancake mix: (Remember you can always divide this in 1/2 or into 1/4 of the recipe depending on your needs) 12 Cups Unbleached flour 3/4 Cups sugar 1 1/2 Cups dry buttermilk powder 4 tsp salt 4 Tablespoons baking powder 2 Tablespoons baking soda Mix your ingredients well and store in an air tight container. I found these awesome jars at Target for $4.99 each! I love them! Here's how to use your pancake mix: Measure 1 1/2 cups of mix and dump into a large bowl Add 1 beaten egg Add 3/4 cup water and blend well Add any additional ingredients desired (We add smashed banana's, fresh blueberries,  a tsp of almond extract, 1/3 cup of oatmeal and 1 tsp of vanilla extract to ours when we make them.) Continue adding 1/4 cup water at a time until they … [Read more...]