Saturday, August 22, 2009

Classic Buttermilk Biscuits

This summer, I thought it was time to teach my sweet 8 year old charge to cook. Although, she's happiest sitting in a comfey chair with a good book, she has shown a particular interest in baking. She's been cooking at (or on) my side since her infancy, but I still thought it might be nice to have a few formal lessons in the basics. Just her and I, with no distractions from any light saber wielding younger brothers. It had to be something simple, rewarding, fast paced, and delicious. Biscuits seemed like a logical place to start. It's easy enough to measure the dry ingredients in the bowl and give them a quick stir. Although you can use your high fangled food processor, I taught my Sailor-girl to use a pie cutter to cut the butter into the flour. After moistening the mixture with buttermilk, all that is left is a quick patting down of the dough, and some cutting into circles. Easy enough, right? And it's funner than play dough because you get to eat your projects. (Although I have seen a kid or two eat playdough, but it never ends pleasantly.) Fresh out of the oven, oozing with butter, these biscuits just can't be beat. And now that Sailor knows how to make them all by her little self, I'll bet we'll be having them a lot.Money Saving Tips: If you don't have buttermilk on hand, pour 1 tablespoon vinegar into the bottom of a one cup capacity measuring cup. Fill with milk and let stand for 10 minutes.
Classic Buttermilk Biscuits
Estimated Cost: $1.00 for a dozen
2 cups all purpose flour
2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
1 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles small peas. Pour in buttermilk and stir just to form a ball of dough. Turn it out onto lightly floured surface. Pat into 1/2 inch thick oval. Cut about 12 (2 inch diameter) circles from dough. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.
Up Next:
Miniature Creamy Lime Pies

17 comments:

gigi said...

You go little mama! Yay for Sailor! Nothing like homemade hot out of the oven biscuits, yum.

Lorie said...

I swear, there is nothing better than a hot buttermilk biscuit slathered with butter and jam. Actually, I can leave the jam, just give me lots of butter...

Congrats on your Peachy Bays win! $500.00 at Williams Sonoma? What a FANTASTIC prize!

Aimee said...

Those look divine! There's nothing better than a warm, homemade biscuit!

Sharon said...

Yummy! Some of my favorite childhood memories were helping my mom to cook. Your daughter seems like a sweetie.

Adrienne said...

We just made your whole wheat hamburger buns yesterday and they were super duper easy and delicious. Although leaving mine in for 15 caused them to be a little too dark. It's a great recipe that I will certainly make again.

Also, my husband has been giving you glory laud and honor for those tamale appetizers.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Love those biscuits!! And hooray for books :-D


SO sorry for my lack of comments lately - you know I'm always reading!!

Fantastic Mr. R said...

I remember the summer Mom taught be to cook. I loved it and felt so important. Probably I was just driving her crazy but I loved it. I can't wait to try some of Sailor's products. :)

Memória said...

That's great that you had your eldest help in you the kitchen. Imagine how great it will be when her brothers start helping out, too! That's so nice. :)

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

So nice to cook with kids. Nice fluffy biscuits!

Congrats on your Bays win too!

Deanna said...

Oh yum! Pass the warm fig preserves and I am in heaven.

Farmgirl Cyn said...

I made these yesterday with Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon, and added about 1/2 cup of grated sharp cheddar to the mixture. Yum.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Good for Sailor! Homemade biscuits for breakfast, lunch or dinner are really a treat!

Chef Jeena said...

Hi Prudy how are you?

These scones are delish.

Loved the chicken post too yum!

The JR said...

Looks like she did a very good job. Love biscuits.
Ramona

Marie Rayner said...

The biscuits look wonderful. Kudos to your little cook! Well done her!

Rogersyigx said...

Good for Sailor! Homemade biscuits for breakfast, lunch or dinner are really a treat!

Janice said...

Oh yum! Pass the warm fig preserves and I am in heaven.