I've always had a soft spot for "Jiffy" brand baking mixes. Not necessarily because of their superior taste (though I think they're perfectly serviceable) but because of their packaging. These petite packages have a distinctly retro look, but not in an ironic way--more like they've never changed the initial 1930 design (why mess with a good thing?).
Unable to resist the packaging, I recently found myself in possession of a box of Jiffy Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix. Two questions occurred to me:
- Where did these mixes come from?
- What can I make with this mix that is not muffins?
Where the magic happens! Photo: Chelsea MillingHappily, the Chelsea Milling website (their parent company) was able to shed light on both of these pressing questions. As for the history? Here it is, from their site:
Chelsea Milling Company is operated by a family whose roots in the flour milling business date back to the early 1800’s. We have been milling flour here in Chelsea for over 120 years.
Mabel White Holmes, grandmother of our President, Howdy S. Holmes, developed and introduced to the homemaker the first prepared baking mix product, “JIFFY” Baking Mix, in the spring of 1930. Currently we offer 22 “JIFFY” Mixes. Our mixes provide you, our consumer, with the best value available.
Chelsea Milling Company is a complete manufacturer. We store wheat. We mill wheat in to flour. We use that flour for our own mixes. We make our own “little blue” boxes. We do it all-that’s why our mixes provide you with the best possible value. Value is using the highest quality ingredients and the best price!
Our entire operation is located in Chelsea, Michigan and our product is shipped out to all 50 states, as well as some foreign countries through the United States Military.
Finding this pretty fascinating, I'd like to state for the record that if they invited me to come and tour their factory, it would be like the awesomest thing ever.
As for a recipe? Happily, they have a handy recipe finder by mix--and I quickly settled on the delectable-sounding "Applescotch Cookies". Incredibly easy to make, these cookies fall somewhere between cakey and chewy, and the mellow, buttery butterscotch flavor works extremely well with the apple-spice flavor from the mix. Here's the recipe.
Applescotch Cookies
- 1 pkg. "JIFFY" Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix
- 1 Tbsp. instant butterscotch pudding
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 2 Tbsp. quick oats
- 1 Tbsp. margarine or butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup butterscotch pieces
Procedure
- Preheat oven to 375°, grease baking sheet.
- Mix together muffin mix, pudding and nutmeg.
- Cut in softened margarine or butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add oats.
- Mix in egg until well blended. Add butterscotch pieces.
- Roll into 3/4 to 1" balls and place on cookie sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned on the edges.