Homemade Magic Shell

I love recipes that are homemade versions of a store bought item! My family loves Magic Shell but I don't love the price, I knew I had to try this recipe when I saw it on mennonitegirlscancook. I tried it out and it worked perfectly! It will harden when it sits but turns to liquid with a little microwaving. That is, if you have any leftovers.-Sarah

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
3 T. coconut oil
1/4 t. vanilla

• In a microwave safe bowl heat chocolate chips and coconut oil until just melted. Stir in vanilla until smooth.

Homemade Onion Soup Mix

I am so thankful to have this recipe...and that it is really good in everything I use it in!  For this recipe I use Herb-Ox beef bouillon cubes because they contain no MSG.  If you can find beef granules that are MSG free those would work easier for this recipe- I just cannot find any.  This mix makes 3 packages for onion soup mix. -Kristin

3/4 c. dried minced onion
14 beef bouillon cubes or 1/3 c. beef bouillon granules
4 t. onion powder
1/4 t. celery seed
1/4 t. sugar

• Place the bouillon cubes in a food processor and process till very crumbly and powdery.
• Mix all the ingredients together.
• Store in an airtight container till ready to use.
• 5 T. equals one package.  This recipe makes 3 packages worth of dry onion soup mix.

Homemade Dry Ranch Dip Mix

I am thankful to have found a recipe for dry ranch dip mix.  Most likely you have all these ingredients in your cupboards so you can whip it up whenever needed.  The following recipe is equal to one store bought package.  -Kristin

1/2 c. dry milk powder, or dry buttermilk

1 T. dried parsley

1 t. dried dill weed

1 1/4 t. onion powder

1/4 t. garlic powder

1 t. salt

1 t. dried onion flakes

1/4 t. pepper

1/8 t. paprika

• Crush the milk powder very fine with the side of the measuring cup.
• Mix together with all the rest and store in an air tight container.

Homemade Cream of Chicken

I have made this recipe several times and it always turns out great to put into dishes that call for it.  This is a treasured recipe of mine because I do not handle MSG products well.  A single batch of this makes about 3 cups.  A can of cream of chicken is about 1 1/4 cups.  I usually double this and freeze it in can sizes.  Then when I need it, I just defrost it in the microwave.  -Kristin

1 1/2 c. chicken broth
1/2 t. poultry seasoning
1/4 t. onion powder (or, 1/2 t. minced dried onion, or finely diced onions)
1/4 t. garlic powder (or fresh minced garlic)
1/8 t. black pepper
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. parsley
1 1/2 c. milk
3/4 c. flour

• Bring to boil 1/2 c. milk and the broth along with all the seasonings.  Boil for a minute or two.  Boil longer if using fresh onions or garlic.
• In a bowl whisk together remaining 1 cup of milk and the flour. 
• Add to the boiling mixture, whisking until it boils and thickens.

Baking Mix

A couple of my favorite recipes call for Bisquick, but I don't always have it in the house. That's when I rely on this recipe. I use it in place of Bisquick in any recipe.-Sarah

8 cups flour
1 1/4 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup baking powder
1 T. salt
2 cups shortening

• Combine all dry ingredients.
• Cut in shortening until well mixed.

Taco Seasoning Mix

I love this mix for seasoning meat for tacos. Or in place of any recipe that calls for a taco seasoning mix. -Kristin

1 T. chili powder
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. onion powder
1/8 - 1/4 t. cayenne pepper
1/4 t. oregano
1/2 t. paprika
2 t. cumin
1 t. salt

• Mix all ingredients together and store in airtight container until ready to use.


• When ready to use sprinkle it onto 1-1 1/2 pounds cooked ground beef along with 3/4 c. water.


• Simmer and stir till water is absorbed and it is thickened.

If you want to make up a bunch of this at a time to keep around: 3 T. of mix=1 batch