Simple Biscuit Recipes

Speedy Biscuits in the food processor

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter chilled, cut in pieces
2/3 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 450F.

Add everything except the milk to the processor bowl and buzz a few times until the fat is cut in to the dry ingredients. Turn on the processor and add milk until the dough forms a ball. It will be slightly sticky.

Turn out and knead a few times on a floured surface. Roll or pat out into a sheet about 1/2" thick, then cut into triangles with a knife. Place the biscuits on a floured cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 mins until golden brown on top. Makes 12.

Basic Scones
225g self raising flour
2 1/2 ml salt
5ml baking powder
25-50g butter
150ml milk

Preheat the oven and a baking sheet to 450F.

Sift the flour, salt and baking powder together, then rub in the fat (or use the food processor, as above). Stir in enough mlik to give a soft dough. Knead lightly on a floured surface, then roll or pat out to about 3/4" thick. Cut into triangles with a sharp knife, place on the hot baking sheet and bake at the top of the oven for 8-10 minutes until browned and well risen. Makes 10-12.

Alterations and Additions
Use a cookie cutter or round glass to cut the dough into rounds. You'll have leftover scraps from this which can be bunched together, re-rolled and cut again. These "second rollings" are not quite so tender as the first rolling, and you'll still end up with scraps, so I always use the knife and make triangular biscuits.

Brush the tops with beaten egg or milk to give a shiny browned top.

Wholemeal flour works fine in biscuits but you'll need to increase the amount of baking powder. Experiment to find out what works best with your flour.

Flavorings
Sweeteners like sugar or stevia
Spices like cinnamon or ginger
Herbs (fresh or dried) (rosemary and cheese is yummy!)
Grated cheese
Dried fruit
Cut-up fruit leather (commercial or homemade)
Fresh fruit (mushed up or in chunks - try blackberries! - reduce the amount of milk used)
Combinations of the above!

If you make biscuits or scones frequently, make up this mix and keep it in the fridge, then all you need to do to make biscuits is to add milk or water, mix and bake.

8.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups dried milk
2 1/4 cups vegetable shortening, butter or margarine

Mix all the dry ingredients together, then cut in the fat by hand or in a food processor. Store in the fridge and use within 10-12 weeks.

Wholewheat version
8.5 cups wholewheat flour
6 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups dried milk
2 cups vegetable shortening, butter or margarine

To make rolled biscuits
Preheat oven to 450F. Combine 3 cups of mix and up to 2/3 cup milk or water in a large bowl. Let dough stand for a few minutes. Knead dough lightly on a floured surface about 15 times. Roll or pat out to 1/2" thickness, cut into triangles with a knife or rounds with a cookie cutter. Place 2" apart on an ungreased baking sheet (you can flour the sheet), bake 10-12 mins. Makes 12.

To make drop biscuits (even easier!)
Preheat oven to 450F and flour a baking sheet. Combine 3 cups of mix and up to 3/4 cup milk or water in a bowl to make a soft sticky dough. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet and bake 10-12 mins until golden brown. Makes 12.