Chickahominy House Square Biscuits Recipe | Easy Homemade Biscuits

Introduction

Welcome to Love With Recipes, your ultimate destination for culinary inspiration and homemade delights. Today, we delve into the art of baking classic biscuits with a modern twist—square-shaped, tender, and irresistibly flaky. The Chickahominy House Square Biscuits embody simplicity, tradition, and comfort, making them an excellent choice for breakfast, brunch, or a side accompaniment to hearty meals. These biscuits are crafted with minimal ingredients, straightforward techniques, and a focus on achieving the perfect golden hue and fluffy texture. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner eager to try your hand at homemade bread, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every detail, ensuring your biscuits turn out flawless every time. The combination of buttery richness, subtle saltiness, and tender crumb makes these biscuits an enduring favorite that can be customized with various add-ons or served alongside your preferred dishes.

Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes

Needed Equipment

• Oven (capable of reaching 425°F/220°C)
• Mixing bowls (large for dry ingredients, medium for dough)
• Sifter or fine-mesh sieve
• Pastry cutter or fork (for cutting in shortening)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin (optional but recommended for even thickness)
• Sharp knife or pastry cutter (for cutting into squares)
• Silicone baking mat or parchment paper
• Baking sheet or rimmed baking pan
• Cooling rack (optional, for cooling)
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap (for resting dough)

Tags

• Bread
• Biscuits
• Homemade
• Quick bread
• Breakfast
• Side dish

Serving Size

Each serving consists of one biscuit. The recipe makes approximately 12 square biscuits, ideal for sharing among family or guests.

Difficulty Level

Easy. This recipe is suitable for beginners and requires basic baking skills, with straightforward steps and minimal equipment.

Allergen Information

Dietary Preference

Contains dairy and gluten; not suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets unless modifications are made.

Course

Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine

American, Southern

Ingredients

Instructions

Preparation Stage: Setting the Stage for Perfect Biscuits

Before you begin, ensure all your ingredients are measured accurately, and your equipment is ready. Proper preparation ensures smooth execution and a superior final product. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is critical for developing a crisp, golden crust while maintaining a soft interior. Use an oven thermometer if needed to verify the temperature, especially if your oven runs hot or cold. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking. Keep all ingredients within reach and organized to streamline the process.

Step 1: Sifting the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting is essential for breaking up clumps, aerating the flour, and ensuring an even distribution of the leavening agents. This step contributes significantly to the light and fluffy texture of your biscuits. Use a fine-mesh sieve or sifter, and tap gently to encourage uniformity. If you don’t have a sifter, whisking vigorously can serve as an alternative, but sift for best results. This process should take about 30 seconds to a minute, depending on the quantity.

Step 2: Cutting in the Shortening

Next, incorporate the lard into the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, two knives, or a fork to cut the lard into the flour mixture. The goal is to produce a crumbly mixture resembling coarse cornmeal, with small pea-sized pieces of fat dispersed throughout. This step is crucial for creating flaky layers within your biscuits. Work quickly and avoid overmixing, as excessive handling can warm the fat and reduce flakiness. For a more tender biscuit, some bakers prefer to use cold butter or shortening, but lard traditionally produces the flakiest results. If you are adding extra shortening for increased flakiness, incorporate it now.

Step 3: Adding the Buttermilk

Gradually pour in the buttermilk while gently mixing with a spoon or spatula. Handle the dough as lightly as possible—overmixing leads to tough biscuits. The dough should come together in a shaggy mass; if it appears too dry, add a tablespoon of buttermilk at a time. Conversely, if it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour. This step requires patience and a gentle touch to preserve the tender, flaky texture characteristic of good biscuits. Once the dough begins to hold together, stop mixing.

Step 4: Shaping and Cutting into Squares

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands or a rolling pin, gently flatten the dough to about ½ inch thickness. For an even thickness, a rolling pin with guides or a ruler can be helpful. The key is to avoid pressing too hard, which can compress the layers and make the biscuits dense. Once flattened, cut the dough into 3-inch squares using a sharp knife or pastry cutter. This shape not only enhances visual appeal but also ensures uniform baking. For cleaner cuts, dip your cutter or knife in flour before each cut. Recombine and reshape the scraps to cut additional biscuits. Be careful not to twist the cutter, as this can seal the edges and inhibit rise.

Step 5: Arranging and Baking

Place the squares onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them close but not touching. Slightly touching biscuits will rise into each other, resulting in a softer, more bread-like texture, while spacing them further apart yields crisper edges. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are deeply golden brown. To check for doneness, gently tap the top; it should sound hollow. If needed, rotate the pan halfway through baking for even coloring. Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack if desired, but these biscuits are best enjoyed warm.

Step 6: Serving

Serve your homemade square biscuits hot from the oven. They pair beautifully with butter, honey, jam, or gravy. For a savory twist, add shredded cheese or herbs before baking. These biscuits are versatile and can adapt to various flavor profiles. Enjoy immediately for maximum flakiness and warmth, or store leftovers for later use.

Preparation Tips

• Use cold fats: Keeping the lard or shortening cold ensures the formation of flaky layers.
• Do not overmix: Overworking the dough develops gluten, leading to tough biscuits. Mix just until the ingredients come together.
• Uniform thickness: Rolling or patting the dough to an even ½ inch guarantees consistent baking and texture.
• Square cuts: Sharp knives or pastry cutters produce clean edges, promoting even rising.
• Bake at high temperature: The 425°F oven quickly sets the exterior, creating a crisp crust.

Nutritional Information

Tips and Tricks

• Use fresh ingredients: Old baking powder or soda can reduce leavening effectiveness. Check expiry dates regularly.
• Adjust flours: For a richer flavor, substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat or add a touch of cornmeal.
• Experiment with fats: For a different texture, try substituting lard with butter or margarine. Each fat imparts unique qualities.
• Enhance flavor: Add herbs, shredded cheese, or spices to the dry ingredients for customized biscuits.
• Storage: Keep baked biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.

Add-ons

• Shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• Fresh chopped herbs (chives, parsley, thyme)
• Cooked bacon bits or ham pieces
• Garlic powder or onion powder for extra flavor
• Sun-dried tomatoes for a savory twist

Side Dishes

• Country gravy or sausage gravy
• Fresh fruit preserves or honey
• Scrambled eggs or omelets
• Fried chicken or roasted meats
• Vegetable stews or hearty soups

Improvements

• For extra flakiness, chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before rolling out.
• Use buttermilk from homemade cultured milk or add a teaspoon of vinegar to regular milk as a substitute.
• Apply an egg wash or melted butter on top of the uncooked biscuits before baking for a shiny, golden crust.
• For a slightly sweeter biscuit, add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar or honey to the dry ingredients.

Save and Store

Leftover biscuits can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or microwave at medium power in 20-30 second intervals until heated through. Freshly baked biscuits can be enjoyed immediately or stored for later enjoyment. For best texture, reheat in the oven rather than the microwave, preserving their crisp exterior and fluffy interior.

FAQ

Can I substitute butter for lard?

Yes, you can substitute butter for lard. Keep in mind that butter contains water, which can affect the flakiness. For best results, use cold, unsalted butter and cut it into the flour similar to lard. The biscuits will still be delicious, but slightly less flaky than traditional lard-based biscuits.

Can I make these biscuits vegan?

Vegan modifications include replacing buttermilk with plant-based milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, and using vegetable shortening or coconut oil instead of lard. Adjust the baking powder if necessary to maintain leavening. The texture may vary slightly, but with careful adjustments, vegan square biscuits can be just as delightful.

How do I get my biscuits to be more tender?

Avoid overmixing the dough, use cold fats, and handle the dough minimally. Resting the dough for a few minutes before baking can also help relax gluten and improve tenderness.

What makes these biscuits square?

They are cut into squares after rolling out the dough, which is a simple variation from traditional round biscuits. Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter ensures clean edges and uniform shape, providing a distinctive presentation and an easy-to-bake form.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of homemade biscuits is a rewarding endeavor that elevates any meal. With their golden exterior, tender crumb, and satisfying consistency, Chickahominy House Square Biscuits exemplify the perfect balance of simplicity and flavor. This recipe, shared by Love With Recipes, offers a reliable foundation for baking from scratch, allowing you to customize and elevate as desired. Whether served alongside a hearty breakfast or as a comforting side, these biscuits will become a staple in your culinary repertoire. Embrace the joy of baking, experiment with add-ons, and enjoy the warm, flaky goodness that only homemade biscuits can deliver. Happy baking!

References

• Southern Living. “Traditional Biscuits.” 2020.
• Joy of Cooking. “Basic Biscuit Recipe.” 2019.