Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). This high temperature helps achieve a golden-brown color and a nice rise on the biscuits.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps, as this will ensure even rising.
3. Cut in the Butter:
   • Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for creating flaky layers in the biscuits.
4. Add Buttermilk:
   • Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the buttermilk (and honey or sugar, if using). Stir gently with a fork until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the biscuits tough.
5. Knead the Dough:
   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it 3-4 times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a rectangle about 1-inch thick.
6. Cut the Biscuits:
   • Using a biscuit cutter or a floured glass, cut out biscuits from the dough. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring the edges touch for softer sides or spaced apart for crispier edges.
7. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top.
8. Serve:
   • Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm, with butter, honey, or jam.

Importance of Each Ingredient:

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the biscuits, providing structure and stability. The gluten forms when mixed, helping the biscuits rise and hold their shape.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the biscuits rise and become fluffy. It reacts with moisture and heat to create carbon dioxide bubbles, which lift the dough.
• Baking Soda: Works alongside baking powder for additional leavening. It reacts with the acidity in buttermilk to produce extra lift.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the biscuits and balances the sweetness of any added sugar or honey.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold butter is essential for flakiness; it creates layers in the dough. As it melts during baking, it leaves air pockets that result in a tender, flaky biscuit.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tanginess, contributing to the overall flavor and texture. The acidity helps tenderize the dough and activates the baking soda.
• Honey or Sugar (optional): Adds a touch of sweetness, enhancing the flavor of the biscuits. Honey also contributes to a golden color when baked.

These old-fashioned buttermilk biscuits are perfect for breakfast or as a side dish. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving the tender, flaky texture and delicious flavor that make these biscuits a classic favorite! Enjoy!