Basic Missouri Mix

by Mel and Marjie Hyland

My dad Campbell Crawford was a big game guide. We lived in the hunting camp the year around, so many of our US hunters became friends and would visit in the off-season. This recipe came from Grace and Ed Lane who raised their family in the Ozark Mountains in the early days. The recipe represents good old home cooking and I think it would be useful for our cowboy families. Makes 13 cups of mix.

  • 9 cups flour, sifted
  • 1?3 cup baking powder
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp dry milk
  • 4 tsp salt
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1?¾ cups shortening (or ½ cup lard)

Stir baking powder, dry milk, salt and sugar into the flour. Sift all dry ingredients together until well mixed. Cut or mix fat into mixture until all particles of fat are thoroughly coated and mixture resembles course cornmeal. Store in a cool place.

Biscuits

Makes 12 biscuits

2 cups of mix + ½ cup of water

Gradually add water to mix, stirring with a fork until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead 10 times. Roll or pat out dough to ½” thickness and cut out with a floured cutter. Bake at 450°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned on a greased cookie sheet.