Bisquick

Bisquick is a pre-mixed baking mix sold by General Mills under its Betty Crocker brand. It consists of flour, shortening, salt, and baking powder (a leavening agent).

History

Bisquick was introduced in the United States in 1931. The idea for the product came from a General Mills executive who, while on a train journey, was impressed by the fast, efficient way the dining car chef mixed up biscuit dough. He decided to create a pre-mixed biscuit product that would make baking easier and quicker for consumers.

Uses

Bisquick is used to prepare not only biscuits, but also other baked goods such as pancakes, dumplings, and shortcake. It can also be used as a topping for dishes like pot pie. The product's versatility has led to the creation of numerous Bisquick recipes, which are often promoted by General Mills through its Betty Crocker brand.

Varieties

Over the years, General Mills has introduced several varieties of Bisquick. These include Bisquick Heart Smart, a low-fat version; Bisquick Gluten Free, a gluten-free version; and Bisquick Complete, which includes ingredients such as buttermilk and sugar to create a ready-to-use mix for biscuits or pancakes.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite its popularity, Bisquick has been criticized for its high content of trans fat, which is linked to heart disease. In response to these health concerns, General Mills has reformulated Bisquick to reduce its trans fat content.

See Also

• Pancake mix
• Baking mix
• Betty Crocker