[title subtitle=”words and images: Janna Wilson”][/title]
I’ve got two words for you if you want to make homemade biscuits – “hot and fast.” After years of attempts, I finally discoverd a recipe I have success with every time, and these tasty little buns are a family favorite. When I prepare them, it’s easy just to go ahead and mix a couple of extra batches and store in the fridge for a quick fix next time. I think you’ll find this recipe will be one you’ll commit to memory and make over and over again.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tablespoons butter, cold
2 Tablespoons lard, cold
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 450°
Prepare
Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or butter. Place all ingredients, except buttermilk and melted butter, in food processor with blade attachment. Pulse until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture looks like coarse meal. If not using a food processor, use a pastry blender or fork to cut the fat into the dry ingredients to evenly distribute the ingredients. (This dry mixture stores well in the refrigerator for later use.)
Transfer mixture to a medium bowl, add buttermilk and stir just until dough clings together (do not overwork). Dough will be slightly sticky.
Move dough to a floured surface and gently pat the dough flat. (This is the “fast” part – do not over-handle the dough.) Sprinkle lightly with flour, fold the dough in half and pat down. Repeat the fold, pat down, fold again and repeat until you have folded the dough 4 times. This helps create those flaky layers we love.
Roll the dough out to a square about 1 inch thick. Cut the biscuit dough into rounds with a biscuit cutter or the floured edge of a drinking glass by pushing straight down (no twisting or you will seal the edge and restrict rising). Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet so the edges just touch.
Bake in the hot oven until they’ve risen and are lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes (You got it, this is the hot part). Brush the tops of the hot biscuits with melted butter and place on wire rack to cool. Enjoy!
