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How to Make Basic Biscuits

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(114 Ratings)
Make Basic Biscuits
Make Basic Biscuits

Biscuits are a delicious addition to a meal, and homemade biscuits are hands down better than store-bought. They are so quick and easy to make there's no excuse not to add them to your dinner tonight. This recipe makes about 10 biscuits.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 2 c. flour
  • 3/4 c. milk
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/3 c. shortening
  • Groceries
  • Cookie Cutters
  • Cookie Sheets
  • Dinner Forks
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Pastry Blenders
  • Rolling Pins
  • Spatulas
  • Cookie sheets
  • Spatulas
  • Mixing bowls
  • 1 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutters
  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

  2. Step 2

    Use a dry fork to stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

  3. Step 3

    Cut in shortening, using a pastry blender, two knives or your fingertips, until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

  4. Step 4

    Make a well in the center of the mixture and add all of the milk. Stir with a fork until mixture is moist.

  5. Step 5

    Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead gently, turning the dough, until soft and smooth.

  6. Step 6

    Roll dough out to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut biscuit shapes out of the dough using a biscuit cutter or a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter.

  7. Step 7

    Place biscuit rounds on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes or until golden on the bottom.

Tips & Warnings
  • Try buttermilk instead of regular milk.
  • Try using half whole-wheat flour or one-quarter cornmeal.
  • A 1/4-cup or 1/3-cup dry measure can do for a biscuit cutter.
  • For lower-fat biscuits, reduce the shortening to 2 tbsp. (They will not be as luscious.)
  • Biscuits, especially lower-fat biscuits, are best right out of the oven.
  • Don't overknead the dough or it will be tough. Just knead until it all comes together nicely.

Comments  

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on 7/13/2009 Thanks for the advice! 5*s!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/17/2006 I use butter (real butter, not margarine) instead of shortening. The biscuits taste a lot better and are healthier for you as well.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 3/29/2006 If you add the cheese to the dough, add a half teaspoon of dry mustard powder and a pinch or two of Cayenne pepper to the mix. This really magnifies the cheesy flavor!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/28/2006 My Granny showed me that to make them the best, you want the dough to be sticky in the bowl, then take it out to knead it on a floured board. This keeps you from making the dough too dry before you cut it.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 To make your biscuits even more delicious and decadent, try adding 1 cup of grated cheddar with the dry ingredients. (the older the cheese the better-more flavor)

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