Saturday, September 6, 2008

Biscuit Bust


This morning we were stuck inside because it was raining cats and dogs. We were both hungry and the cupboard was bare (so to speak) since I hadn't gone on my weekly grocery run yet. I tried to figure out something I could throw together with the few ingredients I had laying around the house. I came across this homemade biscuit recipe that seemed like a piece of cake.

The recipe was very easy to prepare but unfortunately my end result was not so desirable. My homemade biscuits were more like homemade hockey pucks. I used fat free milk since that is what we had but I don't know if that could have ruined the recipe. My biscuits hardly rose and the biscuits were very hard. Please let me know if you have any idea where I went wrong with this presumably easy recipe.

Homemade Biscuits
Recipezaar

2 cups flour, sifted
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
3-4 tablespoons shortening
2/3-3/4 cup milk

1.) Sift flour with baking powder and salt.

2.) Cut in shortening till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3.) Add milk all at once

mix till mixture follows fork around bowl.

4.) Turn out on lightly floured board.

5.) Knead gently for about 1/2 minute.

6.) Roll or pat 1/2 inch thick.

7.) Flour rim of glass or biscuit cutter and cut out biscuits.

8.) Put on (ungreased) cookie sheet and bake at 450° for 12 to 15 minutes

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

For 12-15 minutes they look REALLY thin. Seems like the problem may be they were overcooked? I roll them out really thick (more layers, etc) and then when I place on the baking sheet I place a teeny piece of butter on each. They don't really brown on thier own b/c you are just barely baking them through. Also, don't knead so much. The less kneading the more flaky layers. I really hope that helps some b/c I LOOOVE biscuits. :)

Anonymous said...

My guess is that your baking powder needs replacing. It has a shelf life and when it goes flat, there's nothing else to do but pitch it and buy a new can. (would ya listen to me handing out culinary advice as if I even cooked)? I don't think the non-fat milk was the culprit.

Jennifer said...

I have never made homemade biscuits in my life, they look good to me!

What's Cookin Chicago said...

Sorry your biscuits didn't come out well. I know the use of whole milk or cream tends to result in flakier biscuits, but I'm not sure why they didn't rise... unless its the baking powder? Did you find a way to use them as crackers or did you pitch them out completely?

Woody said...

this was a solid team effort meal. i loved the fact my wife can me something out of nothing. it was a good meal on a rainy day.

Anonymous said...

try using butter milk. yes butter milk. that's what nammo would use! the less kneading the better

Elizabeth said...

Joelen,

Forrest's Maw Maw sent me a recipe idea for the ruined biscuits. I am planning on giving it a try:

Grease baking dish generously with butter or spray with butter-flavored cooking spray.
Sift powdered sugar sparingly over butter or spray
Slice biscuits thinly into baking dish
Beat 3 eggs in a bowl until lemon colored
Add 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until incorporated
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla
Add 1 can evaporated milk and 1 cup of your skim milk (or other milk) and stir well
Pour mixture over sliced biscuits, pushing biscuits down until soaked
Let chill in fridge for an hour
Place baking dish on cookie sheet in upper third of 325 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes.
Serve warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or Kool Whip.

MaryBeth said...

They do look a bit flat, but a great way to have made them fabulous would have been to drench them in sausage gray. YUMMO!