In a small saucepan, whisk together the dry ingredients.
1 1/4 cup water, broth, or stock
Slowly whisk in the water or broth until smooth.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer.
Optionally stir in the butter until melted.
1 tablespoon butter
Add additional flavor ingredients to make cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, or cream of celery soup.
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms, 1/4 cup finely diced celery, 2 tablespoons cooked, cubed chicken
Cook 2–3 minutes, until the mixture thickens to a creamy condensed-soup consistency. When the sauce finishes cooking, it should be smooth and lightly creamy, just thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Use immediately in any recipe calling for one can of cream soup.
Notes
If you prefer a thicker soup base similar to some canned soups, you can add 1 tablespoon instant potato flakes while cooking. This gives the soup a slightly richer body.