Self - rising flour is a pantry staple that can transform ordinary baking sessions into extraordinary dessert - making adventures. If you find a bag of self - rising flour sitting in your pantry, it's time to put it to good use and create some mouth - watering treats.

One of the simplest yet most delightful desserts you can make with self - rising flour is a classic buttermilk biscuit. These biscuits are not only great on their own but can also be used as a base for various sweet applications. To make buttermilk biscuits, start by preheating your oven to 450°F (230°C). In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of self - rising flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 6 tablespoons of cold unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, pour in 3/4 cup of buttermilk and stir just until the dough comes together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently a few times. Pat the dough into a 1 - inch thick round and use a biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 - 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top. Once the biscuits are cooled, you can split them in half and spread some strawberry jam and whipped cream inside for a sweet twist.

Another amazing dessert idea is a self - rising flour peach cobbler. This Southern classic is a perfect way to use fresh peaches during the summer months. Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a saucepan, combine 4 cups of sliced fresh peaches, 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the peaches are tender and the sauce has thickened. While the peaches are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of self - rising flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 3/4 cup of milk. Pour the batter into a 9 - inch baking dish. Then, spoon the cooked peach mixture over the batter. Bake the cobbler for 30 - 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the peaches are bubbling. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent treat.

If you're in the mood for something a bit more elegant, try making a self - rising flour lemon pound cake. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and grease and flour a 9 - inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 3 large eggs, one at a time, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Add 2 1/2 cups of self - rising flour and 1/2 cup of milk to the butter - sugar mixture, alternating between the flour and milk, starting and ending with the flour. Stir in 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 - 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. You can dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Self - rising flour can also be used to make a delicious apple turnover. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine 2 cups of sliced apples, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. In another bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of self - rising flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 6 tablespoons of cold unsalted butter. Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water and stir until a dough forms. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and roll each piece into a circle. Place a heaping spoonful of the apple mixture in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the apples to form a half - moon shape and crimp the edges with a fork. Brush the turnovers with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown. These apple turnovers are perfect for a quick and satisfying dessert.

As you can see, a bag of self - rising flour in your pantry opens up a world of dessert possibilities. Whether you're a novice baker or an experienced pro, these recipes are sure to impress your family and friends. So, don't let that self - rising flour go to waste. Get baking and enjoy the delicious results!