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.
Hello! I absolutely love your recipes! The brownie one makes the best brownies I’ve ever had and I’m proud to give them as gifts because I know the recipient will love them! I am wondering, though, what are the measurements for all the dry ingredients for the cranberry walnut cookie mix? Thank you!
I would like to try the cranberry, walnut cookies but it does not say the amounts of all the ingredients in the bag. Could you please send mw.the recipe.
Thank you. Have a great day!
Duh! I made the edit. Sorry ’bout that!