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.

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