Baking mixes can save time and reduce the number of preparation steps needed when you use them as substitutes for similar ingredients in some recipes. Jiffy Baking Mix, made by the Chelsea Milling Company in Chelsea, Michigan, contains a blend of flour, vegetable shortening, baking soda and other ingredients. This flour mixture is similar to the flour mixture used to make biscuits. In some recipes, depending upon the other ingredients called for, you can successfully substitute Jiffy Baking Mix or another baking mix for flour.

Use the same amount of baking mix in place of the flour, soda and baking powder plus half the amount for shortening or oil called for in suitable recipes.

For example, if your recipe calls for 2 cups flour, 1 tsp. soda, 1/2 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 cup of shortening, substitute 2 and 1/4 cups of baking mix for those ingredients. The soda and baking powder are very small amounts that do not substantially add to the measured amount. Since the shortening or oil is already in the baking mix, it does not take up as much room in your measuring cup, so add enough additional baking mix to equal half the amount of oil or shortening.

The best place to use Jiffy Baking Mix as a substitute for flour is in recipes designed to make biscuits or dumplings, because the mix contains the optimal ingredients for these items. Don’t sift or pack the baking mix in your measuring cup when making the substitution.

You may also substitute baking mix for the flour and fat ingredients in other biscuit-type recipes, including pancakes, waffles, cobbler topping and biscuit-type pizza crust.

Muffins, coffee cakes, banana bread or zucchini bread recipes call for the same ingredients found in most baking mixes. The ratio of ingredients, however, may not be the same. Many quick breads call for higher amounts of fat than what is found in baking mixes. The substitution may alter the texture and taste of these recipes, leaving you with less-than-desirable results.

Likewise, yeast breads depend upon specific ratios of flour, yeast and oil to produce a light airy bread texture. Substituting baking mix in yeast bread recipes is not recommended.

Because Jiffy Baking Mix contains flour and other baking ingredients, you may be able to use it in place of flour, baking soda and baking powder in soft sugar-type cookie recipes. To use, substitute the same amount of Jiffy Baking mix for the total amount of flour in the recipe and add the remaining ingredients called for in the recipe, such as sugar, eggs, milk and flavorings. Bear in mind that sugar cookies made with Jiffy Baking Mix may be different in texture from cookies made from the original recipe.