How to Make the Best Country Biscuits!

Everyone wants to buy biscuits from the store pre-made because they think they are so difficult to make.
You can make the perfect homemade country biscuits easily in relatively little time.
These biscuits are so flaky and delicious that you'll impress everyone and it will soon become a family favorite!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/3 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp salt/2tsp baking powder (if you are not using self rising flour)
• 5 tbsp lard
• 1 cup buttermilk (milk will do in a pinch)
• extra flour for working

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Meanwhile mix the flour, baking soda and salt and baking powder. As I noted in the ingredients, if you are using self rising flour omit the salt and baking powder. In regards to taste there is really no difference in self rising and plain flour.

2. Now you are going to blend in the lard. Take a fork and add the tablespoons of lard. It may seem like an excessive amount but it is the lard that gives your biscuits that flaky texture and moist flavor. With a fork mash the lard until it is blended into chunks. You don't want to over mix it though, large (marble size) pieces are desirable.

3. At this step pour in your buttermilk. If you don't have buttermilk then you can use regular milk but the taste will be slightly different--but still good. Take the fork and make sure the buttermilk is completely blended into the flour. It will still appear chunky because of the lard. At this stage you will have a wet mixture that is starting to take shape. Use extra flour as need (gradually) to thicken the mixture into a ball.

4. Now is the fun part and you may want to remove any rings because you're going to get your hands dirty. Scatter flour onto a clean counter top. Turn out the dough onto the flour and spread extra flour onto top of dough. Start kneading the dough until it takes shape. The stickiness will somewhat go away at this point.

5. Now you decide if you want "Cathead" biscuits or rolled out biscuits. In the country of the Appalachians it is often cathead biscuits that are served. To make cathead biscuits you will begin to pinch off your dough in small pieces (about the size of a cat's head) and place in a greased pan. If you want rolled out biscuits then you'll continue. Sprinkle the counter will more flour and roll out the dough. You can use a glass sprinkled with flour if you do not have a rolling pin. Roll until about 1 inch thick then cut with a floured cup if you do not have a biscuit cutter. Place in pan and bake for about 10 minutes. Keep a watch on them and remember that you never serve country biscuits cold so serve immediately!

Tips & Warnings

• Always serve fresh!
• Make plenty because they'll fly off the table!
• For added flavor if you've made bacon you can take a tablespoon and smooth tops of biscuits with the bacon grease before baking.
• If at first you don't succeed, try again! You'll get it!

[dtwelloh]

on 1/21/2009 Got to try this one. Well written article, I give 5 stars along with a recommendation.

[vikki9]

on 7/18/2008 These biscuits sound delicious! Thank you.

[JMButler1728]

on 7/18/2008 Wonderful recipe! Looks delicious.

[Susanh]

on 6/13/2008 The picture alone is making my mouth water! Thanks for sharing! :)

[LilacGirl]

on 5/23/2008 Biscuits are easy to make, and besides being delicious they are good with gravy (sausage, venison, or egg gravies are especially delicious with biscuits), for a different kind of lunch or dinner. Thanks for sharing your wonderful biscuit advice. 5 stars.