DIY Baking Mixes – Perfect for Bake Sales and Hostess Gifts!

Un-bake your way out of that bake sale and work your way into a hostess’ heart with the easy to make cookie and brownie mixes!

I was staring at my calendar, chatting with my husband late last night when I had an oh-crap moment.  “Preschool Bake Sale Items Due” on Thursday.  Awesome.

Now, under normal circumstances, I would have thought, “oh well.”  But, I don’t get to do much for Graham’s pre-school.  The parent volunteer opportunities are all during the day when I have to work or am with my youngest son who isn’t permitted during volunteer times.  Which means, that I participate in all of the other volunteer “call for actions” the preschool initiates.  I bring in seeds for plant a veggie day, I donate books for book drives, and I bring in baked goods for bake sales.

I went into the kitchen and began to pull ingredients for cookies.  Which is when I realized… I had started the self-cleaner on the oven, meaning it will be locked for the next eight hours.!!! Moving on… I switched my game plan to my go-to bake sale items: granola balls.  And realized… we are low on peanut butter.  Not my night.

That’s when I had my ah-hah moment….

DIY baking mixes.

I scoured the Internet and summoned my inner-Pinteresty-self.  I can do this.  I compiled all of the “baking-related” ingredients from my pantry, pulled some cookie recipes from various websites and re-worked them for what I had on hand.   I was able to put six mixes together until I ran out of sugar.

I’m really glad I didn’t have to do six batches of cookies and brownies worth of dishes.  And we all know, I surely would’ve burned at least one batch.

Here are the recipes if you’d like to not bake for an upcoming bake sale:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Baking Mix:

Mix and layer in bag (or jar): 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup chocolate chips, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp baking powder, dash of baking soda.

Directions for label:
Beat one cup butter in mixing bowl until fluffy.  Beat in one egg and one teaspoon of vanilla.  With a spoon, stir in cookie mix into creamed mixture until well blended.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes until lightly browned.

Brownie Baking Mix:

Mix and layer: one cup flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1 1/2 cups mixed chocolate and white chocolate chips.

Directions for label:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×8 baking pan.  Combine ½ cup melted butter and 2 beaten eggs in a bowl. Add brownie mix and stir.  Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes.  Cool and cut into bars.

Cranberry Walnut Cookie Mix:

Mix and layer:  1  cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 3/4 c. rolled oats, 3/4 c. sugar, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. cranberries, 1/2 c. (white, if you have ’em) chocolate chips, 1/2 c. walnuts.

Directions for label:
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease cookie sheet.  In a medium bowl, beat together 3/4 cup softened butter, 2 eggs and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 
until fluffy.  Add contents of bag, and mix until well blended.  Drop rounded tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until 
edges start to brown.  Cool on wire rack.