Betty Crocker's Bisquick Cookbook 
The cookbook is divided into seven sections, including such standards as "Best-Ever Breakfasts," "Savory Snacks and Breads," "Family-Pleasing Dinners," and "Delicious Desserts." There's a whole chapter on Bisquick's famous Impossibly Easy pies, featuring savory items such as Taco Pie, Salmon-Asparagus Pie, and--a favorite with the kids--Mac 'n' Cheese Pie, in addition to Coconut Pie (the very first Impossible Pie), French Apple Pie, and Mocha Fudge Cheesecake. Calorie watchers should check out the "Favorites Made Lighter" recipes, which use Reduced-Fat Bisquick. There are recipes for Hearty Chicken and Potato Dinner, Southwest Tamale Tart, and Chocolate-Cinnamon Sundae Cake, all with half the fat of the original Bisquick dishes.
If you have little helpers at your elbow, Betty Crocker's Bisquick Cookbook is a great introduction to cooking. Flip to "In the Kitchen with Kids" and make Jack-o'-Lantern Pizzas for dinner followed by Banana S'mores. There's even a Bisquick-based play dough and squiggle paint recipe (just for playing; no eating, please). Every recipe has an accompanying picture and a Betty's Tip to help you out. Whether you want to whip up a batch of biscuits or make individual Italian Sausage Pot Pies, dinner is only minutes away. --Dana Van Nest
Reviews
In the days of a flourishing strawberry patch, the "basic" recipe for BISQUICK SHORT PIE was an absolute favorite, used frequently. It came from the 1964 General Mills cookbook - - published before "ISBNs" abounded. The small spiral edition still has a durable cover & well-tried recipes. It was, and is, the easy way to go for beginners not on restrictive diets.
NOT being 'a dumpling person,' that category of recipes will ever remain beyond my scope. But there are plenty of tempting others, including: Apple slump (named after the home of Louisa May Alcott), long-forgotten Waffle Club Rabbit, Tipsy Cake, Darn Goods (for camping days), Fresh Tomato Shortcake (?), Davy Jones Tuna Bake, and Sausage Ball Syrup (hmmmm !).
Continuing in popularity are Bisquick's Velvet Crumb Cakes and also their never-fail nut breads (be sure to try the cranberry variation). The 1964 edition has long been eclipsed by this newer edition for those who lean toward simplified, TIME-SAVING food preparation. Recipes are given (for example, the "IMPOSSIBLY EASY CHEESBURGER PIE") that encourage imaginatively concocted combinations calling for magic. You can almost visualize a guarantee of NO Friday the 13th kitchen disasters.
It all sounds like a fast food version of pretending to cook. Still, SHORT PIES are what Reviewer mcHAIKU will always enjoy, happily ignoring the calories.