When you think of light, fluffy biscuits, you probably think of a warm homemade, savory meal. And we get it! Biscuits just pair naturally with traditional foods like chicken pot pie, biscuits and gravy, and homemade jam.

How to Make
Jeanette’s Homemade Biscuits

Are you feeling inspired to whip up some homemade biscuits? These flaky, buttery treats straight out of the oven will be sure to satisfy you and your family. Pair them with last month’s recipe, Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup, for the ultimate comfort meal.

The History of the Modern Homemade Biscuits

Biscuits that are similar to the ones consumed in the U.S. today are relatively recent culinary creations. Historically, biscuits were not typically considered delicacies or treats and were designed for survival, and they were not often associated with enjoyable meals such as breakfast or dinner.

The word “biscuit” comes from the Latin word “panis biscoctus,” which means “twice baked,” and the similarity between a biscuit and biscotti, a cookie that is indeed twice-baked, is not a coincidence. Hard biscuits, which had no leavening agent or fat, were given to soldiers in ancient Rome as rations. These types of hard biscuits were the meals ready to eat (MREs) of military personnel for centuries and have been known by different names such as “hardtack,” “ship’s biscuit,” “pilot bread, and more. These ancient biscuits were designed to last longer than other foods, making them practical food for soldiers.

The modern biscuit that we know today resulted from several 19th-century innovations. The improved flour mills, most of which were located in the Midwestern United States, and the increased production of wheat lowered the price of flour, making it accessible to people of all income levels. Chemical leavening agents like pearl ash (potassium carbonate) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) enabled biscuits to rise without yeast or beaten eggs, resulting in the fluffy and soft biscuits we know today. This development allowed biscuits to reach new heights in texture and taste.

Jeanette’s Homemade Biscuits Recipe

Now that we know a little more about the origin of modern homemade biscuits, it’s time to get cooking. Let’s make Jeanette’s Homemade Biscuits!

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup COLD butter
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tsp. sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
3. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Mix until all ingredients are well combined
4. Remove butter from the refrigerator. The colder the butter, the better. I like to put mine in the freezer and then use a cheese grater to shred it into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture. A pastry cutter can be used as well.
5. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs that are pea size.
6. Add buttermilk to the flour mixture gradually. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Make sure not to overwork the dough.
7. Generously flour a surface and transfer the dough. Gently work the dough together and knead for about 10-15 minutes. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky until you can easily work with it.
8. Fold the dough over itself and gently flatten layers together. Rotate the dough 90° degrees and repeat folding about 5-6 times. Again, be careful not to overwork the dough.
9. Pat the dough to 1-inch thickness and cut with a lightly dusted biscuit cutter or glass. Gently rework leftover dough for more biscuits.
10. Transfer biscuits to the pre-lined baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

Enjoy your fresh, warm biscuits with our Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup! Or, as a morning treat, topped with butter, jelly, honey, or just plain – straight from the oven!

This recipe is perfect for any meal, from a hearty morning breakfast to a side with dinner. Give it a try today! If you’re looking for more decadent breakfast ideas, check out our Lemon Blueberry Bread or our Lemon Crumb Muffins! And don’t forget, for any appliance repair needs; we’re here to help!