Baking Powder Biscuits: It's Alright with Me

Fresh biscuits in the morning are so tasty!  Homemade biscuits are far less greasy than those bought at a store and I think they taste better, too.

Baking powder biscuits are not only ingredient-simple (no buttermilk to keep on hand or make the substitute with milk and vinegar) but they are also simple to make!  Once I realized I didn't need to bother with a rolling pin and a cookie cutter, I started making biscuits all the time.  Once the dough is put together, all I need is my hands to pat the dough onto the shelf and a sharp knife to cut it into squares.

The original recipe called for shortening but I prefer butter.  But since it's alright with me to change and adapt recipes, here's "It's Alright with Me" sung by Ella Fitzgerald.

BAKING POWDER BISCUITS
Adapted from a Betty Crocker recipe

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder, aluminum free and low salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, chilled and cut into 1/2 tablespoon pats
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a medium bowl, mix together all dry ingredients.  Add butter and cut into flour with a pastry blender.  Flour mixture should be crumbly, but not so fine that the butter makes the flour gummy.

With a fork, stir milk into the flour/butter mixture.  Dough will be sticky and should form a loose ball when properly mixed minimally.

On a clean surface lightly knead 6 times.  Pat the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle.  Cut into 6 biscuits with a large knife.  Place on a baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve immediately.