Dad’s Buttermilk Biscuits
Written by joythebaker on March 26, 2009 – 12:08 am -
On losing, letting go of little sisters, and warm biscuits:
We never talked about this. I didn’t know how to bring it up. The 2009 Bloggies. Remember? Best New Blog? So… I sorta…. kinda…. mostly… didn’t win. The thing is, I really really wanted to win. I did. I played it cool though. On the outside, I pretended to not care either way. That was a big fat lie. But the thing about losing… it’s pretty cool actually… it makes me want to be better. It also makes me unbelievably grateful for all of your smiling faces. Fact.
I found myself in a frenzy this morning. My little sister left for a many month long European adventure. The thought of her being so far away that I can’t easily call her at two in the morning to scream our favorite Mariah Carey song at her sent me into panic mode. I calmed myself, safe in the knowledge that my sister deserved some life changing adventures and I am due many presents from far away lands upon her return.
Biscuits. If I were to hand you a warm biscuit with raspberry jam would you: a) throw it on the ground and shove me on the floor or b) thank me kindly, gobble the biscuit and give me a giant hug? If your answer involved shoving me on the floor… well, that’s kinda funny, but throwning biscuits on the floor is just plain rude. Don’t do it.
These Buttermilk Buiscuits… well, they must be blessed by the heavens. I don’t think there’s any other way to explain just how good they are. They’re best right out of the oven, steaming hot, doused with butter and jam.
My dad has been making this recipe for Buttermilk Biscuits for our family for, exactly, ever. Incedentially, my sister has been swiping them of the table for as long as I can remember. They’re simple family goodness.
Dad’s Buttermilk Biscuits
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening, cold and cut into cubes
1/4 cup butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk, cold
In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, cream of tartar and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. In another bowl, combine egg and milk and beat lightly with a fork. Add to flour mixture all at once, stirring enough to make a soft dough.
Turn out onto a floured board and knead about 15 times. Roll or pat out into a 1-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds using a biscuit cutter or cut into 2×2-inch squares. Reshape and roll dough to create more biscuits with excess scraps. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Serve immediately.
Tags: biscuits, Bread, Breakfast, dad, jam, yummy
Posted in Bread, Breakfast, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Snacks | 69 Comments »
[...] sitting here, in this very moment, enjoying a cup of hot tea and a few of my dad’s buttermilk biscuits. It’s quiet and sunny and just warm enough to not regret my warm covers in the other room. [...]
Joy, these look so good! I can’t wait to try them out =)
but what about this? number 34, not so bad if you ask me!!!!
but what about this? number 34, not so bad if you ask me!!!!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article5561425.ece
I’m truly sorry you didn’t win Best New Blog. I wish I could have voted! I think your blog is amazing!
Those biscuits look heavenly. Can you believe I have never made biscuits? I don’t/can’t bake, although I’m adequate in other areas of cooking. I can make great soups and several wonderful chicken recipes that turn out quite well.
I made some last night (or, rather evening) and they were truly awsome with lots of butter and my grandpa’s red currant preserves! They are also delicious the morning after for breakfast;) Thanks for the recipe!
i’m also so very sorry you didn’t win… i love your blog, and i did vote as i’m sure many of us did! but don’t you worry, we’ll get ‘em next time
my biscuits are in the oven as we speak, and i’m so excited for them!!
i do have to admit that i broke my wooden stirring spoon in the process… i was slightly astounded, but just went with my hands from that point forward!
also, is it ok to flash-freeze these? the recipe makes so many, and i’m just one… i know you mentioned it before for scones and i thought these are sort of similar…. well, i hope its ok.
thanks for the splendid recipe!!
ok, i’m stupid…. i hope you’re not insulted, but i’m also a fan of smitten kitchen and that’s where the comment about flash freezing came from.
“flash freezing
Flash freezing–the process of spacing items out on a tray, freezing them until they are firm and then storing them in more space-efficient freezer bags–is the single most revolutionizing concept I have adopted into my cooking repertoire, because it allows us to freeze uncooked dumplings, gnocchi, biscuits, scones and even scooped cookies, without them become one doughy mass. It is especially helpful when you want to get a lead time on party planning.”
~ smitten kitchen
in any case, joy, I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
hey joy! just wanted to send you a hug and say that i love your blog, and i’m sure you’ll win next year! also, the biscuits look like the perfect comfort food
Oh these look amazingly delicious
! And don’t worry: your sister will have a great time over here 
!
i am stuck at the airport right now and those biscuits are calling to me. ahhh. they look delicious!!
Just made these as a treat to myself and my family. Deeelicious – I’ve never made biscuits. They were the first thing on my to do list for Spring Break. Thanks for sharing your family treasures.
Those biscuits look really good!
Hi Joy
A question. Can I cut up the dough, place it in the fridge overnight and then baked it in the morning?
Thanks.
Yogi
My Grandmother gave me the gift of how to make Biscuits… Southern Style! You know Buttermilk, Iron skillet.
I firmly believe that when we move on to what ever Heaven that you believe in, That someone you love very much will meet you with a plate of hot Biscuits. Your choice of toppings: Butter, Jam, Gravy, or MAPLE SYRUP!
When I went to college I met a woman named Erin, and she introduced me to “Cat Head” Biscuits, named so because of the size, and I am sure I was in love.
Well, I still love Biscuits.
This is the first recipe of biscuits that I’ve made that came out perfect. I have tried for YEARS and each time something goes wrong. I can bake anything but biscuits. SO THANK YOU for a fool proof recipe that WORKED and they taste great too. Must be the cream of tartar that gives them that guarantee rise.
Thanks again
I don’t know HOW I never knew about your site before but I love this blog. I cook a lot but what I really love to do is bake, so I know I’m going to use a lot of these great recipes!
[...] started off with Joy’s recipe for Dad’s Buttermilk Biscuits and made just a couple minor changes, definitely go check out her recipe and read her cute story to [...]
[...] know that I have a strange and undying affection for pancakes. You probably know that my family loves biscuits, and I’ve been known to drop an entire cake all over the counter top instead of on the cake [...]