Tassajaras Flaky Biscuits Recipes

THE BEST FLAKY BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Rub 2 tablespoons of the cold butter into the flour with your fingertips until completely absorbed. Work the remaining 8 tablespoons of cold butter into the flour with your fingertips until pea-size bits of butter remain. Use a rubber spatula to stir the buttermilk into the flour until the mixture comes together into a shaggy dough. (Don't overmix the dough.)
• Lightly flour a cutting board or work surface, turn the dough out onto it and pat into a rectangle. Fold the dough in half and pat again into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Then fold the dough in thirds, as if folding a letter, and pat to an even thickness. Cut out biscuits with a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter and put on the prepared baking sheet. Press together the remaining scraps of dough. Pat out and fold the dough into thirds again and cut out more biscuits. Brush the biscuit tops with buttermilk.
• Bake until the tops are lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool on the pan at least 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

TASSAJARA'S FLAKY BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Combine flours, baking powder and salt. Cut butter or margarine into dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or two knives, or rub gently between hands until pea-size pieces are formed.
• Make a well in the center and add the eggs and milk. Beat the eggs and milk with a fork until smooth. Continue stirring with the fork, gradually incorporating flour until it is all moistened.
• On a floured board, knead the dough just enough to bring it together. Roll the dough into a rectangle 1/2-inch thick. Fold in thirds. Turn the dough a quarter-turn and repeat, rolling and folding. Repeat once more. (The rolling and folding make a flakier biscuit.)
• Roll out the dough again to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into rounds with a floured cutter or glass. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly browned and the tops slightly golden. Do not overbake.

FLAKY TENDER BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (use pastry blender, two knives, or fingertips). Add the milk and slightly beaten egg and stir until just combined. (The texture should be sticky, moist and lumpy.).
• Place mixture on a lightly floured surface and knead the dough gently until it comes together and is a smooth dough.
• Roll out dough to 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thickness. Cut out biscuits with a lightly floured round cookie cutter. Place on prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the beaten egg and milk mixture and bake for about 10 - 15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the biscuit comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Serve warm with butter.
• Makes about 12 3-inch (7.5 cm) biscuits.

TASSAJARA TORTE WITH FRUIT

Steps:

• Blend mace and vanilla with shortening.
• Cream in sugar.
• Sift together flour through baking powder.
• Beat eggs and milk together.
• Add dry and milk mixtures to shortening.
• Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or 8-inch square baking pan.
• Add batter.
• Bake at 350°F approximately 45 minutes until center is dry when tested with a toothpick.
• Cool in pan 20 minutes.
• Turn onto wire rack.
• Turn right side up.
• Mix honey or sugar with sour cream and vanilla.
• Mix in fruit pieces.
• Use as topping on torte.

FLAKY BUTTERY BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Butter or line a baking sheet.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a fork or 2 table knives, combine the butter and flour mixture until it resembles a coarse meal. Slowly add the milk, stirring with a fork, to the desired consistency.
• For softer biscuits, drop 2 tablespoons of the dough onto the lined baking sheet. For firmer biscuits, turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface and gently knead just to bring the dough together. Carefully roll out the dough about 3/4 inch thick. Using a biscuit cutter or sturdy glass, cut about 12 biscuits, rerolling any scraps. Place on the lined baking sheet. (The biscuits can be frozen at this point. Freeze on the baking sheet, then remove to a resealable container or plastic bag for easier storage.) Bake the biscuits for 13 to 15 minutes (add 3 to 4 additional minutes for frozen ones), until golden brown. Cool slightly and serve warm.