Half & Half Biscuits

I've always had a minor fascination with homemade biscuits....who doesn't???  Although I  believe it all goes back to my home economics class in 7th grade. One of the first recipes that we were given was a basic biscuit recipe. I was so excited to be able to cook while at school and it was a fun break from normal classwork. Now...don't get me wrong....I didn't struggle with school work...except maybe typing out my reports! Yet somehow there was always a part of me that is drawn to the simpler life of cooking from scratch and the skills of keeping a family running without all of the ease of technology/advancements we have today. 

Of course I'm a busy mom to three young kids so I definitely use canned biscuits most of the time. While the kids were home during summer break we were allowed more lazy mornings to take our time and attempt new recipes. I think I have made a dozen different varieties of biscuits and noodles over the years....and I'm still searching for the "perfect" one! This recipe is basic and relatively simple to create....in fact, my 8 year old daughter made these biscuits while I just took pictures. It excites me to see her enthusiasm in the kitchen....reminds me of when I was her age. 

The Hastings book store in my parent's town was having a going out of business sale recently. Of course the first place I ran to was the cookbook section. Anyone that knows me is aware that I have somewhat of an addiction to collecting any kind of cookbook....I like to think of it as a "hobby" so that I can justify the boxes and boxes and boxes of cookbooks that I actually own. Anyway......I struck gold and purchased several "new to me" cookbooks that I had to have!!  

One of the first things I did with this particular cookbook was to look for a biscuit recipe. As soon as I saw the ingredient, Half-and-Half, I knew I had to try it. I was curious about the difference that it might add to the texture and flavor of the biscuits.  This recipe is adapted from the cookbook, The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso & Sheila Lukins

My daughter had a wonderful time with this recipe! She did every step on her own and was very proud of her work. I was only allowed to comment on the next step of the recipe. She made sure I stayed back and simply held the camera.

Half and Half Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
5 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold
3/4 cup half-and-half
(extra flour for rolling the biscuit dough)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, toss together the flour, salt, sugar and baking powder.  Cut the butter into small pieces. Then using two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it turns into coarse crumbs. (we used a pastry blender) Add the half-and-half and stir gently until the mixture forms a ball.  Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 30 seconds, and then pat it out to form a 3/4-1 inch rectangle.  Using a biscuit (or cookie cutter), cut out circles. Place the cut biscuits about 1 inch apart on a baking sheet.  Bake until puffy and golden, about 14 minutes. (We baked our batch for 11 minutes) Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack and allow to cool. 

Overall I thought the biscuits were pretty good. We ate them with a slice of butter on top but they would have been yummy served with eggs or gravy....or alongside a bowl of beef stew! They didn't last long in our house though. My daughter is already asking when she can make them again! 

Hope you enjoy them too!

Carissa