Mile High Biscuits

As there are many that enjoy biscuits at restaurants but have never actually had homemade biscuits, here is a great recipe that works well and tastes great that my mother gave me.  You can slice them for breakfast sandwiches (a little egg, cheese, and bacon better than fast food fair), put honey or jelly on them, or just enjoy them with butter.  And yes, they are great under chipped-beef gravy.

Mile High Biscuits

3 cups flour                                   3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar                                 1/2 cup shortening

4 teaspoons baking powder          1 egg, beaten

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar         1-1/8 cups milk

      Mix all together. Place on well-floured spot and coat until the dough is no longer sticky (*knead VERY BRIEFLY) and roll out on floured board, (can flatten with hands), to 3/4 inch thickness. Cut with biscuit cutter and bake. Makes around 15 biscuits, depending on how flat you make the dough before cutting.

• Coat a baking sheet with butter

• Bake at 375° for 10 to 14 minutes, depending on your oven (I have found them to more typically take around 18 minutes, so the oven does matter).

The reason for kneading biscuits briefly is that they will be tough if dough is overworked. It is better said to “fold” the dough to coat with the flour before cutting.