From Scratch Biscuits

I had decided no matter what I am going to start making things from Scratch. And biscuits were first on my list! However, every recipe I tried was awful. I vented my frustration with my biscuit making on Facebook and added these photos of each batch. 

One was just nasty, 2nd batch was so hard and heavy I thought my pan weighed 5 lbs. pulling it out of the oven and the third batch tasted great but they were flat!! Not to mention...they looked horrible!!!  So I was determined to try again the next morning! My sister sent me a recipe for biscuits & pancakes which by the way, the pancakes are soooo good. I actually crave the pancakes all the time and we eat them every week just about. But we aren't talking about those awesome pancakes... Back to the biscuits-I finally found redemption in my biscuit making! They turned out beautiful and taste great too. So to help you all out, here's how I make From Scratch Biscuits. 

Basically every recipe you follow you always separate your dry ingredients from your wet ingredients. So begin by first heating your oven to 475 degrees and lay out a sheet pan for baking. This recipe makes 9 biscuits so I'm using a half sheet pan. I like to coat my pans with butter instead of oil for hot rolls & biscuits. Biscuits need help with adding flavor (or so I think) and the more butter the better! 

In a bowl mix together your flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, & baking soda. Add 3 Tbsp. of shortening or butter. Now here is where it's really opinion.... Usually biscuits are made with shortening. And any old biscuit recipe calls for shortening but I like the butter flavoring so I use butter. Use whatever you have on hand or whatever you like.

Take your fingers and squeeze the butter into the dry mix really well. 

It's okay if it's lumpy and creates pea size balls. 

Next add your buttermilk and mix well. After you have mixed in all the ingredients let it sit 2-3 minutes. 

While your waiting you can throw down some flour on your counter top to get ready to cut your dough. Make sure your hands are good and floured as well. 

Place the dough in the flour and roll it a couple times to coat in the flour but don't knead. You want light and fluffy biscuits so the less kneading is better.

With your hands spread the dough out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and cut with a cookie cutter starting at edge and then continue to cut out really close together. Most likely the last two biscuits will be made by the "extra" dough from the cookie cutter. 

Place each biscuit close together on your sheet pan. 

Bake at 475 degrees for 16-18 minutes. Once pulled from the oven, don't be afraid to smear on the butter! 

I had to have honey on mine since I was just snacking around! 

But you can't have breakfast with out Biscuits & Chocolate Gravy!!! 

I know- I could eat it everyday! I'ts so good!!!

Here's the recipes for both- Now fix your husbands breakfast for supper one cold day and a side of Chocolate Gravy...and maybe he will do the dishes!

From Scratch Biscuits

1 1/2 cups flour

1 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. baking soda

3 Tbsp butter or shortening

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 cup flour for shaping your biscuits

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, & baking soda. Cut in butter or shortening and add milk. Mix well and let sit 2-3 minutes. Cut and shape out 9 biscuits and lay on a well buttered sheet pan. Bake at 475 degrees for 16-18 minutes. 

Chocolate Gravy

4 Tbsp. cocoa

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp. flour

1 cup milk

1 stick of butter 

Dash of salt 

Mix cocoa, sugar, & flour in a bowl and set to the side. 

In a sauce pan over medium heat add milk, butter, salt and stir until butter is melted. Add dry ingredients and stir. Let boil to thicken. Once thickened remove from heat and pour over warm biscuits.