Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits

May 14: National Buttermilk Biscuit Day

Living in Oklahoma and Texas gave us an appreciation for down-home dining. Food, such as the Southern staple, buttermilk biscuits, is (ful)filling without being fancy. Similar to scones in Britain, buttermilk biscuits are a simple side dish that we eat during a hearty breakfast or brunch (it is popular served with a sausage gravy) or with our main meal (chicken fried steak, pork chops, etc.). Whether served with butter, jam, jelly, honey or gravy, this basic bread is quick and easy to prepare. Bake them for National Buttermilk Biscuit Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Food.com)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour (not self-rising)
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter and mix until it resembles coarse meal. Pour in the buttermilk.

Buttermilk Biscuits

Mix lightly until moist. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface. Pat down to ½-inch thick. Cut out circles using a 2-inch cookie cutter or rim of a glass. Gently knead the rest of the dough, mixing it as little as possible to avoid having tough biscuits. Place the cut rounds on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 450 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake. The biscuits should turn a pale golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Yield: 10 buttermilk biscuits.

Buttermilk Biscuits

Notes

  • We halved the original recipe just for the two of us.
  • Handle the dough as little as possible to keep the biscuits light and fluffy.
  • If buttermilk is not available, substitute it for one cup of milk mixed with a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Rapper Sir Mix-a-lot “sings” about buttermilk biscuits.  Search YouTube videos to listen to the lyrics.
  • Check out our chicken fried steak recipe post on January 6, which is National Chicken Fried Steak Day. Buttermilk biscuits are often served with it along with a creamy country-style gravy.