Biscuits are a beloved baked good around the world, and it’s true, I taught a class on Zoom in Germany! Whether served alongside breakfast, as a snack, or as part of a savory meal, biscuits are a versatile treat that can be enjoyed in many different ways. While it may be tempting to reach for a package of store-bought biscuits, there are many reasons why making biscuits from scratch is worth the effort.
Why Make Biscuits From Scratch?
Freshness: One of the biggest benefits of making biscuits from scratch is the ability to ensure their freshness. Store-bought biscuits often contain preservatives that allow them to last longer on the shelf, but this can negatively impact their taste and texture. When you make biscuits from scratch, you have full control over the ingredients and can enjoy them at their freshest.
Flavor: Homemade biscuits are simply more delicious than store-bought biscuits. This is because they are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients that contribute to their rich flavor. When you make biscuits from scratch, you can customize them to your liking, adding in ingredients such as cheese, herbs, or spices to create a unique flavor profile.
Health Benefits: Store-bought biscuits often contain added sugars, artificial flavors, and other additives that can be detrimental to your health. When you make biscuits from scratch, you can use wholesome ingredients such as whole wheat flour, oats, and natural sweeteners to create a healthier treat.
Cost: Making biscuits from scratch is often more cost-effective than purchasing pre-made biscuits. By using basic ingredients such as flour, butter, and milk, you can create a large batch of biscuits that will last for several days. This can help to save money in the long run and also allows you to control the portion size of your biscuits.
How to Make Biscuits From Scratch
Making biscuits from scratch is a simple process that can be done with just a few basic ingredients. Here is a recipe for homemade biscuits that is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking:
Biscuits
Makes 12
Ingredients
3 cups of flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-teaspoon salt (and then more for garnish)
¼ teaspoon sugar
2 sticks of butter
2/3-cup milk
1 egg for the wash
Directions
- Cut the butter into small cubes.
- In a mixing bowl add the flour, salt, baking powder, salt, thyme and sugar.
- Mix everything together and then add the butter to the bowl.
- Use your fingers to cut the butter into the flour (when it’s done correctly it will have a similar consistency to wet sand).
- Next add the milk to the bowl and mix everything together with your hands.
- The dough should form a ball.
- Add the dough to a floured surface and roll the dough to a 2/3rds “ thickness.
- Cut the dough with a round cookie cutter or cut it into triangular shapes. You will need to form the scrapes of dough back into a ball after, roll it out again and cut it again. Repeat if necessary until you use all the dough.
- Mix the egg together with the thyme and use a pastry brush to coat the tops of the biscuits (be sure to allow some of the thyme leaves to stick to the top of the biscuit0.
- Next sprinkle salt over the egg washed biscuits.
- Bake in a 400-degree oven for 16 minutes.
- Set aside.
Serve warm with butter, jam, or your favorite toppings.
Customization Options
While the basic biscuit recipe above is delicious on its own, there are many ways to customize your biscuits to make them even more flavorful. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Add cheese: Grate some cheddar cheese into the biscuit dough for a savory twist.
Incorporate herbs: Add a teaspoon of dried herbs such as thyme or rosemary to the dough for a burst of flavor.
Try different flours: Swap out the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour, almond
