It is hard to say that self-rising pancakes, though good, may not last as long on your shelf. This is due to the way they are manufactured, which varies their product shelf life. If you really need to bake some biscuits or perhaps some pancakes, then Bisquick is your new friend! Getting some Bisquick is a simple trip to the store, add the required ingredients and there you go, you have yourself a ready-to-cook mix.
Now Before We Go Any Further:
Self-Rising What? Did we just say flour?
Yes, that is what is called. Self-rising as its name states is flour that allows for it to rise while being baked. What makes this particular flour a great option is the blend from which it is comprised: a leavening agent such as a powder for baking, white flour, and salt. These simple ingredients allow for a delicious outcome, whether it is for baking bread or muffins. No one would guess that this flour was created at sea, for those who like freshly baked food.
Do not fret if you feel that you may not have all the ingredients you need. Chances are, you may already have some ingredients lying around in the pantry that you can use in a pinch. Another option is of course to use Bisquick but the question remains, would the result be the same? Would a store-bought brand such as Bisquick give the same taste that self-rising flour has? This is the question that we will attempt to answer.
What Makes it Different?
Bisquick as many of us know is a popular brand that many use to bake biscuits, pancakes, and other baked goods. It contains simple ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, and vegetable shortening. As you can see, these common ingredients can often be found in your pantry. Therefore, it is possible to create a homemade Bisquick mix and even a gluten-free option, depending on the flour that you use.
Need a Substitute for Self-Rising Flour?
Try this recipe. All you require are the following ingredients:
Leavening agent, also known as baking powder (this helps to lighten the texture)
Sea salt
All-purpose flour (this is the main base)
Now follow the steps below:
1. Combine the following into a large mixing bowl. Add 1 cup flour, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, 1 ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and mix the ingredients thoroughly, making sure that all the ingredients have properly combined.
2. Once you are done mixing be sure to get rid of any visible clumps. Keep in mind that this is a substitute using ingredients from your pantry, meaning that the results may differ slightly, but rest assured the results will not disappoint.
Need Some Other Recipes for Self-Rising Flour?
Do you have any cake flour?
If you do, that is a great substitute to use when you do not have other ingredients. Use cake flour with the same amount of sea salt and baking powder as above and mix thoroughly.
Don’t have Cake Flour? What about Pastry?
You guessed it, using pastry flour can be another substitute to use, again you want to add the same concoction of sea salt and baking powder.
Now, perhaps you want a Bisquick substitute instead?
There may be some who disagree, but you can’t go wrong when using Bisquick. It is fast, simple, and reliable for many when making baked goods. But what if you are unable to buy some from the store? Well, there is a simple solution. Just as self-rising flour has its substitutes, you can make your own homemade Bisquick with some common ingredients found in your pantry.
Recipe For Imitation Bisquick:
6 cups of flour (all-purpose flour preferred)
3 tablespoons of baking powder
1 tablespoon of salt
1 cup of vegetable shortening
¼ cup of sugar (granulated sugar recommended)
This will make more than 6 cups of Bisquick. What if you want a gluten-free option? Here is the recipe just for that:
Instead of all-purpose flour, use finely ground rice flour. You can find this at your local grocery store.
4 cups of rice flour
2 cups of tapioca starch (also known as dried yuca flour)
3 tablespoons of baking powder
2 teaspoons of salt
2 teaspoons of xanthan (also known as corn sugar gum)
1 cup of vegetable shortening
Now that we know what we need, follow the steps to make this home substitute. Remember this mix only lasts 3 months, so plan ahead to avoid wasting your mix.
First, you need to sift all the dry ingredients together. Depending on the recipe that you use, you will either follow the recipe for imitation Bisquick, or gluten-free imitation.
If you cannot find a sift, do not fret. You can also use a strainer to remove any clumps from your ingredients.
Depending on how much of the recipe you plan on using, it can be stored for up to 3 months. If you do not plan on using all the flour, however, you can modify the recipe or save the rest in a bundling process to contain only the amount you require.
Important: Make sure that the expiration date shown on the baking powder is no closer than 4 months to the date shown.
Next, you want to repeat the same process whether it is using your handy sift or strainer. You will repeat this process several times.
This is very important, do not skip over sifting/straining the powdered mix. Having clumps in your mix will affect the quality of your baking.
Once the dry ingredients have been properly mixed and passed through the sift several times to remove clumps, remember to add 1 cup of vegetable shortening. You may also choose to substitute the vegetable shortening if you prefer. The next step is very important as you are going to put the mixture into a blender to create the results you need. The final product should resemble an almost crumbly consistency. By moving the blender side-to-side, it can help ensure a proper technique. If no blender is available, you may also use a sharp object to create a crisscross motion through the mixture.
Now once done, you can prepare it for storage. This is particularly important due to having used shortening or butter. If shortening was used, this can be stored in a dark and cool area and not necessarily in the fridge. However, with butter, you have to store it within the fridge otherwise you run the risk of losing your mixture as it only has a shelf life of 3 months.
Now there is an additional method
Food Processor Method:
Before you mix all dry ingredients in the processor, understand that the shelf life is expected to be about 3 months. Because this recipe makes quite a bit, proper storage would be required as well.
Next, while in the processor and with a blade attachment, which is the best to use in this case, you want to make sure that the ingredients are combined properly. This means 10 seconds at first, and then an additional 15 seconds. You will repeat this process until it is thoroughly mixed.
Next, you will want to do the same as the previous recipe by adding shortening or butter evenly throughout the mixture while in the processor. Once that is done, you will then blend the flour and shortening until you get a clump-free texture. You want it to look as if you have crumbs.
As before, depending on the shortening that you use, you may need to store your imitation Bisquick in a cool and dark area or the fridge. It is also recommended for you to use a food-grade plastic container.
Do any of these recipes seem familiar?
Let us know in the comments!
Creation of Bisquick
In the 1930s a sales executive with a love for biscuits while commuting came up with the recipe that we have come to know and love, Bisquick. From multiple observations of how the batter was prepared, he came up with his concoction. Through observation and determination, Bisquick was thus created.
Smith, who was a sales executive with a love for biscuits, happened to work at a company who many are familiar, General Mills. After realizing the potential of this mixture, he decided to introduce the idea of marketing and selling this product, knowing that the delicious taste that he had experienced had to be shared. After teaming up with a head chemist, he was able to have this product on shelves rather quickly and would then be known as one of the best-sellers even when compared to versions from other companies.
FAQs
Can you make Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits with cake flour?
In short, Bisquick contains other ingredients that help give it its texture, not to mention that gluten levels vary from different types of flour, meaning that it may not give you the same results.
Self-rising, what makes it different?
Unlike Bisquick, where the mixture contains both baking powder and baking soda, self-rising flour only contains baking powder along with salt.
Bisquick vs Self-Rising, can you honestly use either?
No. Unfortunately, Bisquick is the ready-to-go option, but it does contain a different set of ingredients such as vegetable shortening along with flour and baking powder. It is safe to say that Bisquick and self-rising flour are not the same.