Papa J’s Biscuits

“Of course all the kids know the story. Josh complained that Mama J’s biscuits were thin and hard. Mom hit Josh between the eyes with one of her “hockey pucks” from across the table, and from then on Papa J made the biscuits.” – Papa J

*Recipe from Betty Crocker Cookbook.

Papa J’s Biscuits

Single batch

  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1 3/4 cups bread flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup milk

One and a half batches

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 5/8 cups bread flour
  • 3 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 1/8 cup milk

  1. Heat oven to 450. Cut shortening into flour, baking powder and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs.

  2. Stir in just enough milk so dough leaves side of bowl and rounds up into a ball.

  3. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 10 times.

  4. Roll 1/2 thick.

  5. Cut with floured 2-inch biscuit cutter.

  6. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, touching for soft sides.

  7. Bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes.

  8. Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

  9. Single batch serves about 10 biscuits.

Note:

  1. For tender biscuits, mix dry ingredients thoroughly. Mix in shortening with fingers. Knead dough gently.

    Don't twist cookie cutter when cutting out biscuits (this introduces air into biscuit).

    Use as little milk as possible (too much milk makes dough sticky, not enough makes biscuits dry).