Biscuits are a staple of southern cooking. Without them, no meal is complete. This becomes a problem when southerners travel above the Mason-Dixon line, since up north no one seems to know how to make a biscuit.
Every southern family has its own biscuit recipe, and each one believes that theirs is the best. Our family’s recipe was the brainchild of my great-grandmother, and has been passed down through the generations. Now it is my pleasure to share with you my own family’s recipe. I hope y’all enjoy it. After all, it’s the best.
Grandma Ruby's Tennessee Yeast Biscuits
- Prep Time:1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time:15 minutes
- Total Time:1 hour 45 minutes
- Servings:14 biscuits
- Medium
- 2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 1/2 teaspoon (2 packages) RapidRise yeast
- 5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup shortening
- Melted butter (for brushing)
Ingredients
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Step 1
Heat buttermilk and sugar just past lukewarm. Sprinkle yeast on top and stir to dissolve, then set aside.
#SpoonTip: Don’t have buttermilk? Use this buttermilk substitute.
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Step 2
Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together.
#SpoonTip: If you don’t have a flour sifter, don’t worry. You can push the ingredients through a strainer, or you can simply stir them together using a fork.
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Step 3
Mix shortening with the flour mixture.
#SpoonTip: My great-grandmother used her hands for this, but I find that a pastry cutter works just as well, if not better.
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Step 4
Combine dry and wet ingredients. Mix until a stiff dough is formed.
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Step 5
Separate dough into two equal parts.
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Step 6
Roll one half out to 1/4 inch thickness.
#SpoonTip: If you don’t have a rolling pin, use one of these rolling pin alternatives.
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Step 7
Cut biscuits and place on a baking sheet with about 1 inch of space between biscuits, and brush the tops of biscuits with melted butter.
#SpoonTip: DO NOT twist the biscuit cutter. If you do this, you will stunt the rising process.
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Step 8
Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the second half of the dough. Placing these biscuits on top of the ones that have already been cut.
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Step 9
Cover with wax paper and let rise until the biscuits have doubled in size.
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Step 10
Remove wax paper and bake at 325°F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
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Step 11
Enjoy! I like slipping a piece of country ham or sausage in the middle for a delicious breakfast or snack.