What if I told you that you could make your own fresh baked biscuits in about 15 minutes of prep time? They are so worth it if your are hosting a beautiful brunch or just a great family breakfast. They are definitely amazing with sausage gravy. I will add that and many other variations of flavors and ingredients to this. I thought let's start with the basic biscuit recipe first, then we can build from there. First, I want you to see how simple and easy they actually are, in fact the less you work these...the better!! They most important part of a biscuit is cold, cold, cold butter. So keep some in the freezer just for this.
BASIC BISCUITS
2 1/2 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR 2 TBLSP BAKING POWDER 1/2 TSP SALT 1 TBLSP SUGAR 1 STICK FROZEN BUTTER DICED VERY SMALL 1 CUP VERY COLD MILK EXTRA BUTTER FOR BRUSHING THE TOPS ******OPTIONAL CINNAMON SUGAR*********
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Start by sifting together the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar in a mixing bowl. Now, add the frozen, diced butter. I use a pastry cutter to cut it in, but if you don't have one you can definitely use a big fork, like a serving fork, and just work it in. The flour will begin to look crumbly as you are breaking down the butter. That's exactly want you want in any biscuit recipe. Just crumbly, never worked till smooth.
Now make a well in the center and add the cold milk. You can begin by working it in with a spatula, but then I find that it is better to use your hands when it begins to come together. This is because you can gently just keep folding it over and over, almost creating layers, but not working the dough too hard. You want to be very soft and gentle with this type of dough. No kneading involved!! That's the beauty or simplicity of it. Just let it come together and it's perfect. Quick and simple.
Now, turn it out of the bowl on to a floured surface. Sprinkling flour on top and folding it over itself once or twice, so it is not as sticky to work with. Flatten and shape in to a rectangle with about a 1 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a small biscuit or cookie cutter. Lay all on to a cookie tray lined with parchment paper.
Last step is to brush the tops with the melted butter. I also like to sprinkle them with some cinnamon sugar, but that is totally up to you.
Bake at 350 degrees or until a beautiful golden brown. I happened to have some of my Ginger and Spice Butter in the fridge today. It is amazing on these biscuits. Give it a try for your next brunch!! They seriously take about 15 minutes to put together and get into the oven. You can even make the dough ahead of time, I would recommend that you should plan to eat these hot, right out of the oven!! ENJOY!!