You will not believe how simple these biscuits are to make, and how tasty they are to eat! This mix is very nice to have on hand, and of course, it makes a very fun gift to put into a jar.
By the end of this series, I bet you’ll begin to think that I say that about everything. Not so. I promise that even though I love jars and think that food in jars is beautiful and makes a great gift…I will never suggest that Cheesy Salsa Enchiladas would make a great Gift in a Jar. Nor would I encourage you to give Angeled Eggs in a jar. See? Even I have my limits. ;)
Have fun and be creative with this biscuit mix idea! You can switch out the dried cranberries for raisins and throw in some cinnamon just for fun. Or you could include a variety of dried fruit – cherries maybe? This recipe is definitely not limited to cranberries – although cranberries are really good at Christmastime. (And in April. And September. Dried cranberries rock.)
Cranberry Biscuit Mix
6 cups whole wheat flour (I used freshly ground hard white wheat)
6 Tablespoons sucanat
4 Tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Divide the mix into two separate quart jars.
To make Cranberry Biscuits:
Place contents from one quart jar into a food processor or bowl. Cut in 1/3 cup cold butter or palm shortening. Add 3/4 cup of milk and mix well. Roll dough onto a well floured surface and cut into 12 large biscuits. Place on a baking sheet and bake in a 425° oven for 15-20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.
I have even found that it works well to mix up the entire batch (both jars) of biscuits – bake the amount we want for one meal, then freeze the remaining biscuits (unbaked). Then, I thaw the prepared biscuits overnight and bake them as directed in the morning!
I freeze the cut out biscuits on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Once they are frozen, I transfer them to a freezer bag until we are ready to thaw and bake them.
If you’re gifting this mix, you’ll want to be sure and attach a tag including the mixing and baking instructions. Want a fun tag to use for your gift? Download Your Free Gifts In A Jar Tags Here!
What dried fruits do you think you would like best in this mix?
I have several jars waiting to be filled with yummy food gifts! Thanks for all the great tips, Laura!
I have made gifts in a jar many times, but now that I have switched to only fresh ground wheat I was not sure I still could. How does that work? I have read that you have to keep the flour in the refrigerator or freezer – some people do not make up the mix right away. Thanks for all the great recipes.
I store mine in the freezer, and would likely just suggest to the recipient of these that if they aren’t planning to use them right away, they should freeze them until they are ready. :)
I had the same question! I like to premake baking mixes for convenience but when I switched to whole wheat I found I have to freeze everything :/ kinda ruin s the pretty jar look in your pantry…what to do!
Yum! These look so good. I usually have dried cranberries on hand so I will have to give this recipe a try!
Cant wait to try the gingerbread houses with my 4 year old. :)
I made these yesterday to go with our chili, but I switched out the cranberries for grated cheddar cheese! Yummy! Thanks for the recipe!