Great Grandmas Pioneer Trail Biscuits Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED BISCUITS (FROM MY GREAT RECIPE CARDS)

Steps:

• Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a bowl.
• Cut in butter using pastry cutter or use 2 knives.
• With fork stir in buttermilk to make a soft dough (I have used an equal amount of buttermilk powder with added water and it works wonderfully in this recipe.
• Turn out onto lightly floured workspace and knead no more than 10 times to form a ball (if you over do it the biscuits can be tough).
• Roll into a 6" x 6" square.
• Place on ungreased baking sheet.
• Cut into 12 portions but do not separate.
• Bake at 400 F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve with butter, honey, jam, or gravy.

GREAT GREAT GRANDMA'S PIONEER TRAIL - SALT COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside
• 2. Cream together the shortening, sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
• 3. Slowly add the flour mixture to the shortening mixture, in small amounts at a time. Add nuts.
• 4. Form the dough into an oval shaped log. Wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate over night.
• 5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 6. Remove dough log from refrigerator and remove wax paper. Slice very thin. Place slices on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 -15 minutes.

BIG BATCH OF GRANDMA'S BISCUITS WITH MOLASSES BUTTER

Steps:

• For the biscuits: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and the chilled, cubed butter. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour until it resembles a coarse meal. Alternatively, combine the flour and chilled butter in a food processor and pulse to combine until it resembles coarse meal, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in the baking powder, salt, sugar and baking soda. Form a well in the center of the flour and pour in the buttermilk. Mix with a fork until all of the ingredients are incorporated and the dough begins to shape into a ball. (The dough will be slightly dry.)
• Dust a clean work surface with flour, coat your palms, and rub some on a rolling pin. Turn out the dough onto the work surface. Knead the dough for 1 to 2 minutes, folding it over onto itself each time. Pat the dough into a rectangle and then roll the dough to about 1/2-inch thick. Dip a 3-inch biscuit cutter or the rim of a 3-inch-wide glass in flour, and then cut out the biscuits. Alternatively, use a knife to cut the biscuits into 3-inch squares. Reshape the leftover dough into a ball, roll it out again, and cut out more biscuits. Repeat this process until the dough is gone.
• Place the biscuits on the baking sheet and bake until the tops are golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. While the biscuits are still hot, brush the biscuits with the 2 tablespoons softened butter.
• For the butter: Stir or mash the butter and molasses or honey together to combine, leaving a few streaks of molasses visible.
• Serve the flavored butter with the warm biscuits.