Powdered buttermilk is what makes a jar mix worth having, because it means the tang is already in there and you only add water or plain milk on the day. The other detail is fat: rub cold butter or shortening in and the mix keeps in the fridge for months while behaving like a fresh batter.
The ratio6 cups flour + ⅓ cup baking powder + ½ cup buttermilk powder + ¼ cup sugar. 1 cup mix + 1 egg + ¾ cup milk.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep10 min
Cooknone
Makes8 batches
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
Vegetarian
Contains dairy · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
Whisk the dry ingredients hardA full minute. Baking powder unevenly distributed gives you one flat pancake and one that tastes of soda.
Rub in the fatCold butter worked through with fingertips to fine crumbs. If you do this, the jar lives in the fridge.
Store labelledAirtight, with the ratio written on the lid. Three months in the pantry without butter, six in the fridge with.
To cookOne cup of mix, one egg, three quarters of a cup of milk. Stir until just combined and leave it lumpy — overmixing makes them tough. Rest five minutes.
Cook on mediumNot high. Pour, wait for bubbles across the surface and set edges, then one flip only.
Make it yoursCornmeal for a quarter of the flour. Cinnamon and vanilla. The same mix makes waffles with an extra tablespoon of oil and a separated, whipped egg white.
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