I used to make a gingerbread somewhat like this, but it called for fresh blueberries, which had to be washed, stemmed and patted very dry ? a nuisance. Now that dried blueberries are widely available, I decided to give them a try and they're perfect here. I also use my Quick Cake Mix to jump-start this recipe and it's in the oven in less than 10 minutes. You'll find this gingerbread picnic-perfect ? it can be made ahead of time and its pan becomes the carrier.

Ingredients

• 3 cups Quick Cake Mix, recipe follows
• 1 teaspoon Three-Spice Mix, recipe follows
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 (3-ounce) package dried blueberries (3/4 cup)
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons molasses (not too dark)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons sugar blended with 1/2 teaspoon Three-Spice Mix (spiced sugar)

Directions

Quick Cake Mix:

4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) ice-cold butter, diced (do not substitute)

Churn the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade a couple of seconds until well blended. Tap 1/2 the mixture onto a large piece of waxed paper and reserve.

Scatter 1/2 the butter evenly over the dry ingredients in the processor and pulse 6 to 8 times. Scrape the work bowl and stir, pushing larger pieces of butter to the bottom. Pulse quickly 3 to 5 times more until the mixture is about the texture of lentils. Empty the mixture into a large mixing bowl.

Return the reserved dry mixture to the food processor, scatter the remaining butter evenly on top, and cut in as before. Add to the mixture in the bowl.

Toss the 2 batches together well, then spoon into a large zipper freezer bag, press out all the air, and seal. Label, date, and store in the refrigerator or freezer. This quick cake mix will last at least two months in the freezer, 1 week to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Scoop out the cold or frozen mix - no need to thaw - and use as individual recipes direct.

Three Spice Mix:

3/4 cup ground cinnamon

1/4 cup ground ginger

1 1/2 tablespoons ground or freshly grated nutmeg

Place the 3 spices in a small bowl and whisk until well blended.

Spoon 1/2 of the spice mix into an 8-ounce preserving jar, rap against the counter until the mixture compacts a bit. Add the remaining spice mixture and compact as before.

Screw the lid down tight, label, and date the jar of spice mix, then store on a cool, dry, dark shelf. Use as recipes direct.