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Taste Butter Biscuit Bites

Buttery biscuits

I took on the challenge of baking homemade biscuits. How difficult could it be?  There are just five main ingredients.

A New Family Recipe

Few things are more satisfying than savory, flaky buttery biscuits fresh from the oven. I took on the challenge of perfecting homemade biscuits. How difficult could it be? There are just five main ingredients. Over the next few months, there were dozens of biscuit casual­ties. With each batch, the recipe was refined. Roll up your sleeves, this is not a just-add-water box recipe.

Cheddar Butter Biscuit Bites

Experimentation included varying the type and amount of liquids. Biscuits made with almond milk did not brown. Milk and heavy cream fare better. I experi­mented with butter temperatures ranging from melted to rock-hard cold. Delving into flavor enhancers like spices and cheeses came after perfecting the basic recipe.

Flaky cheddar butter biscuit bite

There is a corresponding relationship between bake time to biscuit mass. Circum­ferences from an inch-and-a-half (3.8 cm) up to three inches (7.6 cm) and thick­ness from a quarter inch (6.4 mm) to more than a half inch (1.3 cm) result in cooking times from 20 to 45 minutes. Oven tempera­tures range from 385°F (196°C) to 420°F (215°C).

There is a need to add more salt when using unsalted butter. Flakiness is a result of properly mixed cold butter. It is best to keep all ingredients in the refrigerator until required. After perfecting the recipe for basic biscuits, I was ready to hone in on different flavors. The basic biscuit forms the base, with an additional flavor-infused layer. Here is the recipe for my signature dish—cheddar butter biscuit bites.

Ingredients

Yields 18–20 biscuits
Serving size: 3 biscuits (at least)

Basic Biscuit

2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 Tbs sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 pound cold unsalted butter
7/8 cups buttermilk

Cheddar Flavor

1/4 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese
2 dashes turmeric

Directions

Sift dry basic biscuit ingredients by shaking through a mesh strainer into a large cold bowl. Then stir them together. (Tip: You can get more rise with 1 tablespoon of baking powder. Because of the corn starch content, biscuits will also be stiffer.)

Photo: Sift Flour

Sift flour for biscuit bites

Remove butter from refrigerator and slice stick lengthwise. Then slice along the width into small cubes. Separate and scatter butter into a bowl. (Tip: Alternatively, freeze a stick of butter and grate over the flour mixture.)

Photo: Add Butter

Cube butter for biscuit bites

Work butter into dry ingredients with your wooden spoon, then hands by pressing while twisting until all butter cubes are smashed and the flour is damp. Alternatively, use a bread mixer. (Tip: This much preparation can be done in advance and refrigerated.)

Photo: Mix Butter and Flour

Mix dry ingredients for biscuit bites

Whip buttermilk with a whisk until it forms peaks. (Tips: If you do not have buttermilk, add 2 tsp apple cider vinegar to whole milk and let set for 5 minutes. a manual whip is easier within a narrow container like a measuring cup, as it confines the vortex—or use an immersion blender.)

Photo: Whisk Milk

Whip milk for biscuit bites

Pour up to 3/4 cup of whipped milk over dry ingredients, preserving the rest for later, and stir with a wooden spoon until all of it begins to form a dough. The dough should not be so moist that it sticks to your hands.

Photo: Add Milk

Pour milk for biscuit bites

Working quickly, form dough into a ball. While blending, fold and flatten a few times. Set aside about 30 percent of the dough.

Photo: Mix Dough

Mix dough for biscuit bites

Lightly sprinkle flour on wax paper. Then sprinkle the top with flour and flatten the bulk of the dough roughly with fingertips (not a rolling pin). Fold the wax paper over the dough and refrigerate while preparing the second layer.

Photo: Form Basic Dough

Form dough for biscuit bites

Mix cheddar flavor ingredients with remaining dough, saving a few tablespoons of cheddar for later. While blending, fold and flatten a few times. (Tip: Fresh cheddar is better than pre-shredded. A quality cheese imparts the most flavor.)

Photo: Gourmet Cheddar Cheese

Westminster Cheddar Cheese for biscuit bites

Lightly sprinkle flour on wax paper. Then flatten the cheddar dough roughly with your fingertips.

Photo: Form Cheddar Dough

Cheddar dough for biscuit bites

Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C) and clean area while dough is chilling.

Remove cold basic biscuit dough from the refrigerator and brush with milk. Lightly sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Photo: Brush Basic Dough

Milk and cheese for biscuit bites

Place over basic biscuit dough. Press with fingertips until the combined layered dough is about a half-inch thick. Fold the wax paper over the remaining dough and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Photo: Layer Cheddar Dough

Layered dough for biscuit bites

Remove cold layered dough from refrigerator. Using a floured 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) cookie cutter, press through and remove as many biscuits as possible. Blend and flatten the remnant dough. Cut more biscuits until the last bit is the size of a biscuit. (Tip: Cut biscuit dough may be frozen in advance but may not rise as like fresh dough. Add 5 minutes to baking time.)

Photo: Cut Biscuits

Cutters for biscuit bites

Cut biscuit bites

Starting from the center, arrange biscuits in a lightly greased pan. (Tip: Use spray olive oil or wipe teaspoon of oil on pan with a paper towel.)

Brush biscuits with milk. (Tip: This keeps them from having powdery flour tops.) Lightly sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Photo: Sprinkle Biscuits

Prep biscuits for oven

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until biscuits rise and brown.

Melt a tablespoon of butter to brush over baked biscuit tops and serve immediately.

Photo: Baked Cheddar Buttered Biscuit Bites

Baked cheddar butter biscuit bites

If you must ask about the calories, perhaps you should avoid eating biscuits.
©2018 Kevin Williams. All rights reserved.

Enjoy Again

Wrap and refrigerate leftover baked biscuits. Warm in microwave for 22–30 seconds for 1 to 4 biscuits. To maintain a crisp exterior, place in a covered skillet on low heat or 375°F (190°C) oven for 5 minutes.

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