Are you craving the taste of warm, fluffy biscuits, straight from the oven? Forget those bland, store-bought options! Today, we're recreating a classic: Martha Stewart's buttermilk biscuits. This recipe delivers perfectly flaky layers and a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that's sure to become a new family favorite. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your homemade cooking journey, this recipe is surprisingly simple and yields incredibly rewarding results. It's the perfect addition to any meal, from a quick breakfast to a comforting dinner. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Dry Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). This high temperature ensures perfectly golden-brown biscuits. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Make sure all the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined for even leavening.
Step 2: Cutting in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting, as this affects the flakiness of the biscuits.
Step 3: Adding the Buttermilk
Gradually add the cold buttermilk to the flour-butter mixture, mixing gently with a fork until just combined. Don't overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough biscuits.
Step 4: Shaping and Baking the Biscuits
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough to about 1-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch biscuit cutter (or a knife) to cut out biscuits. Reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits. Place the biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Let them cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Biscuit:
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and buttermilk are crucial for achieving flaky layers.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in tough biscuits.
- Handle the dough gently: Avoid kneading the dough, as this will also make the biscuits tough.
- Bake at a high temperature: A high oven temperature helps the biscuits rise quickly and develop a beautiful golden crust.
Variations:
- Cheese Biscuits: Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the dry ingredients.
- Herb Biscuits: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or chives) into the dough.
- Sweet Biscuits: Add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to the dry ingredients for a sweeter treat.
Nutritional Information (per biscuit, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-180
- Fat: 8-10g
- Protein: 3-4g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
These delicious homemade biscuits are a fantastic addition to any meal. They're perfect alongside soups, stews, or simply enjoyed with butter and jam. This easy recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with the right technique, can create truly extraordinary food. Enjoy!