Wartime Buttermilk Biscuits Recipes

SOUTHERN-STYLE BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a 13x18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt. Pulse a few times to mix. (Alternatively, combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl.)
• Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand with a few pea-sized clumps of butter intact. (If making by hand, "cut" the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter, two knifes, or your fingertips.) Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.
• Add the buttermilk and stir with a spoon or rubber spatula until the dough comes together into a shaggy mass. If the dough seems too dry, add a few more tablespoons of buttermilk. Do not over-mix.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Dust the top of the dough with a bit more flour and bring together gently into a loose ball. Pat the dough into a rectangle about ¾ inch thick.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into thirds. Stack the pieces on top of one another and pat out into a rectangle about ¾ in thick again, flouring the surface lightly as needed to prevent the dough from sticking.
• Cut the dough into thirds again. Stack the pieces on top of one another and pat into a rectangle with a final thickness of about ¾ inch.
• Dust the blade of a sharp knife with flour and cut the dough into twelve even squares (they will seem small). Transfer the squares to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the biscuits are lightly golden on top and a rich, golden brown on the bottom. The biscuits are best served warm out of the oven (though a few minutes in the oven will revive slightly older biscuits).
• Note: If you'd like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The biscuits can be frozen, unbaked, for up to 3 months. They can be baked without thawing; they may just take a few extra minutes in the oven.

BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
• Using a pastry cutter or fork, quickly cut butter into flour mixture until it forms pea-size crumbs and is uniformly mixed. (For flaky biscuits, you want the butter to remain cold.) Make a well in center of mixture and pour in buttermilk. Stir together until it just forms a moist, slightly tacky dough.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 2 or 3 times, then pat out into a 3/4-inch-thick round. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut the biscuits. Do not twist the cutter; doing so prevents proper rising. To prevent sticking, dip the cutter lightly in flour between biscuits. Also, do not reroll scraps, but pat them together and cut into rounds. Transfer biscuits to baking sheet.
• Whisk egg and milk together with a fork. Generously brush egg wash on top of each biscuit. Bake until brown, 15 minutes. Serve hot.

SOUTHERN BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3-4 times. Pat or lightly roll to 3/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. , Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425° until golden brown, 11-13 minutes. Brush tops with butter. Serve warm.

WARTIME BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients, then cut shortening in with two knives or a pastry blender.
• Pour in buttermilk; mix with a fork. Forming dough into a ball, place on floured surface, and gently knead for half a minute.
• Roll into a half-inch-thick sheet of dough, and cut out biscuits (you will get about 24 small biscuits out of this).
• Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.