An Epic Biscuit…The Sequel, And Garden Update
On Occasion I make a recipe and it turns out great and the second time I make it, it flops. Since I have sought the perfect biscuit recipe like seeking the Holy Grail for years and having found a great one on try #1, I decided to make them again to see if my results are the same.
Epic Biscuit II
Notice the photo is better, I used a dark background and that makes a huge difference in the photo quality IMHO.
The second go around the biscuits rose but not quite as high, it could be that I patted the dough down a bit thinner than the last time, I did not place them as close together on the sheet pan, or that my buttermilk was not as fresh who knows but they still rose nicely, were tender, fluffy and delicious. I wrapped and froze them for another day.
garden
In July I had my garden re worked to help me with diminishing the weed population and hopefully the mosquitoes too. Happy to report that although I still have some weeds they are about 90% better than before and almost manageable for me to take care of myself. I have only killed 4 or 5 of the plants that were initially planted (may not have been my fault). Also my herbs including the basil are doing really well. I am also very happy that there are less mosquitoes this year as well so I can enjoy my backyard.
two types of basil regular sweet and smal spicy
Jessica planted sunflowers, it is her signature flower and when she initially put them in the ground they were about a foot tall. Now they are over 6 ft tall and look at this beauty.
sunflower
In closing I believe this biscuit recipe is a keeper and will be made over and over again. Since I already gave credit to the author in my last post and there is no way to contact her I am including the recipe in this post.
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
From Food.com Author P4
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the board ( if you can get White Lily flour, your biscuits will be even better)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon baking powder ( use one without aluminum)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, very cold
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ( approx)1/2 cup sugar ( for topping) NOTE I did not put sugar on mine
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, or in the bowl of a food processor.
- Cut the butter into chunks and cut into the flour until it resembles course meal.
- If using a food processor, just pulse a few times until this consistency is achieved.
- Add the buttermilk and mix JUST until combined.
- If it appears on the dry side, add a bit more buttermilk. It should be very wet.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured board.
- Gently, gently PAT (do NOT roll with a rolling pin) the dough out until it’s about 1/2″ thick. Fold the dough about 5 times, gently press the dough down to a 1 inch thick.
- Use a round cutter to cut into rounds.
- You can gently knead the scraps together and make a few more, but they will not be anywhere near as good as the first ones.
- Place the biscuits on a cookie sheet- if you like soft sides, put them touching each other.
- If you like”crusty” sides, put them about 1 inch apart- these will not rise as high as the biscuits put close together.
apuginthekitchen 
Hi Suzanne, garden looks lovely! Biscuits-success! Woo Hoo! Your Florida Bud, Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, yes so glad that I finally have a biscuit recipe and thanks for the garden compliment too!
Woah yeah…. those really are epic biscuits. Every bit as mouthwatering as the other batch! Suzanne, your garden is so lovely. It’s a delight to have a look at it. Mega hugs!
Thanks so much Teagan. Must say I was nervous making a second batch but so glad when they turned out just as good.
Though I haven’t had any in years, biscuits are one of my favorite things. I grew up with them for any meal. It’s probably hard to make a biscuit that i do NOT like. 😀 And I doubt you could make anything that was not delicious. You’re a natural talent. Hugs.
Oh you are too kind honestly my biscuits prior to this are legendary and not in a good way. If you did not have some sort of liquid to wash it down you cod seriously choke they were dry and heavy and hard. Really bad! As a southerner you know your biscuits and I will guarantee you would not have appreciated my attempts. LOL!
If you vouch for the recipe, I am keeping it too…those biscuits look fabulous.
The garden is in good shape too..love that basil and sunflower!❤️
Thanks Sonal, it’s a great biscuit recipe. I am in love with the sunflowers.
Everything is perfect – Thank you ! 😉
Thank you so much!
Those biscuits look wonderfully flaky Suzanne! And your garden is gorgeous!!
Thank you so much I can’t believe how lucky I was to find this recipe.
The biscuits look delicious! I’m definitely going to give you recipe a try. I haven’t had much luck with biscuits in the past hopefully your recipe will change that 🙂 Garden looks amazing, especially the sun flower!
Hi Meaghan, I have never had any luck at all with biscuits until I made this recipe. Follow it exactly and you will have great results. Thanks so much.
Hi! Love the sunflower and your garden picture! Sounds like you have it all figured out, weeds are annoying! Love the biscuits!
I hate weeds with a passion. They are so annoying, Thanks so much Lynz.
they are so annoying and back after a day!
OMG, I know and it’s so hard to get the root and even when you do they still manage to pop up so quickly. I planted creeping thyme in between the stone which helped a little but they still rear their ugly heads.
Since what we call biscuits are what you call cookies I get very confused. What would be our equivalent, is it like a bread? It looks quite like what we call a scone, what forms part of a Cornish Cream Tea but yours looks to be more savoury. I wish we could speak the same language sometimes. What do you est the biscuit with?
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Hi David, a biscuit is a scone, delicious either served as a bread and part of the savory meal or with butter and jam and some tea. Biscuits/scones are also lovely with some strawberries and whipped cream what we call strawberry shortcake. I forget sometimes that my friends in England/Ireland/Scotland use the term scone they are one in the same. Thank you so much David.
I love that the epic biscuits have a sequel! They look just as good and your garden looks spectacular. Those herbs look good enough to eat!
Thanks Michelle sequels rarely meet the expectations of the original but happy these did, thanks so much!
Such a lovey garden and you’re so lucky to have all these fresh herbs! I’m sure this brings a bit of comfort… 🙂
It does thank you so much. Next year I hope to grow tomatoes. I need to dry the herbs there are more than I can possibly use fresh. Thank you so much Ronit.
I love seeing your computer!
I meant your “garden” – Larry was talking to me about my computer while I was typing – LOL…
LOL, my garden is doing well, I am really pleased with the results of the redux. thanks Liz.
Your biscuits look wonderful! I am so jealous that you are able to have a garden and grow one of my favorites, basil!
Your garden looks great. It looks so green compared to our dry California land scape. Some of favorite herbs in my tiny garden are tarragon and chives.
Hugs
Your garden’s looking great. And the plants seem to be thriving. Aren’t sunflower’s fun? I used to grow loads of them from seed, including a chocolate type. And you can always dry out the seedheads of yours for next year. As hybrids, and if seeds are sown, they may not be the same type. But they’re so fun I never cared if they were different from the year before. 🙂
Thank you. Well I have had a few plants die, not sure if it was me or the plant. Yes sunflowers are fun and beautiful. Never saw chocolate variety bet they are gorgeous. Never thought of harvesting seeds when do you do that? Thanks Johnny!
After the petals drop the seeds will start to develop on the large disc. You’ll know when to harvest the seeds as they’ll start to drop out. Don’t remember if I told you, but leave their root system in the ground over winter (just cut down to a few inches) as the roots will compost auto, feeding the soil, and where the roots were will leave pockets of air that’ll help to aerate the soil as well. All good stuff!
Thank you the flowers just bloomed so there is away to go. Will keep an eye out thank you.
I haven’t seen small basil like that before, they look like such healthy plants Suzanne! I struggle to get my plants to survive. Partly due to the hot weather where I live and partly as I can only grow plants in balcony pots. Loving the update on your garden. And that biscuit recipe will definitely be tried in my home very soon! Xx
So good to see you Laura, thank you so much. I wish I could say that I knew what I was doing in the garden but can’t, I am afraid I can’t take any credit for how well the plants are other than I am the one who waters them. I am notoriously bad with plants. I imagine it is very hot in Australia and that makes it hard. Hope you are well and thanks so much.
I just want you to know how many pugs I see on a daily bases lately. As if Nando is saying hello!
Oh Elizabeth thank you so much for that, I believe Nando is saying Hello to me. Thank you so much!!
Great biscuits and wonderful that you’ve found the kind you really like. Your garden looks gorgeous, love the sunflower, and that basil, my oh my!! So why do you think the mosquitoes aren’t as bad this year? I’d love to find an answer to that. Our backyard is pretty shady, so the wee pests hang out there.
I don’t know why the mosquitoes are not as bad this year, could be because my garden was re arranged and thinned out, not as many weeds or we had a really cold winter last year and the little buggers didn’t survive the freezing cold. It’s great not to be devoured everytime I go outside, a little spray or citronella candle and its pretty good out there,. My backyard gets full on sun and the bugs seem to love that as well as shade, Non discriminatory I guess. Thanks so much.
Your garden is looking beautiful! 🙂 I love these biscuits but with what do you eat them? sliced open with butter & smoked salmon? I will be making these tasty sweeties! Yumm!
Thanks Sophie, I generally have them with butter and jam or made into a breakfsst sandwich with egg, cheese and bacon, They are really good.
Thanks for the quick feedback! I will eat them this way too! x
I bet you held your breath when you made the biscuits again didn’t you?? They look fab 🙂 and the garden looks lovely xx
I did, I was just waiting to fail, honestly it has happened before,. Was thrilled they turned out well a second time and now I really believe it’s a really good recipe. Thanks so much Elaine.
🙂
You have a beautiful garden and your biscuits look perfect!
Thanks Katerina so glad to see you.
Suzanne, the biscuit looks pretty epic to me… I would eat it off the screen if I can…
Epic for sure Anatoli, thanks so much,
They look good to me Suzanne 🙂 and I love your backyard garden it looks great, so glad you have been able to enjoy it!! Cheers!!! 🙂
Thanks so much Amy, being able to sit in the backyard is great. Can’t wait for the weather to cool down a bit it will be even better. Will get some wood and fire up the fire pit and make s’mores.
Beautiful garden and equally beautiful biscuit!! 🙂
Thanks so much Linda.
Oh girl, this absolutely makes me think of my moms biscuits. She makes buttermilk biscuits that are to die for and I wish she would give me the recipe lol. I will give your recipe a try and I can’t wait to eat it with jam and maybe some syrup.
I could not comment on your last blog post but wanted you to know that I agree with what you said and Hooray for the small bloggers. I think you have an awesome brand and love your blog,
Get your Mom’s recipe, having a treasured family recipe especially for Southern biscuits is something to be coveted. Love a good biscuit and thanks.
Wow garden looks beutiful.. Sun flower sight s stil in my eyes.. Biscuit looks yum
I love the sunflowers never grew them before and I am so proud that they are doing so well. Thank you so much.
Lovely garden and lovely biscuits!
Thank you so much, love your sunflowers in your Gravatar.
😀 Looks just as good second time around Suzanne! I’ll have to give this buttermilk version a try too… must have a lovely tang to it.
Your garden is looking fabulous… lush, green and so pretty with all the flowers!
It is really good, the recipe is a keeper. I tried one yesterday that I had frozen and still soft and moist.
Thanks so much I am happy my garden is doing pretty well, only a few casualties.
Your garden is so beautiful, I love sunflower, yours look so gorgeous!
Thanks so much Jasline.
Hello Suzanne! I love biscuits too, was planning to try some new biscuit recipes during the summer but still haven’t got a time for that, hope will make them soon. 🙂
Garden looks lovely!
Have a good day!
Hi Mila, hope you try out this recipe. Its really good. The most important lesson I learned is not ot over work the dough, a light hand and minimal touching of the dough and you get tender biscuits. Thanks so much.
Thanks for the tip! Will let you know when I try this recipe.
Suzanne, your garden looks tremendous!! Look at your happy basil! And I’m so jealous of your biscuits. Mine just never turn out quite as light and puffy as I’d like. I will try your recipe! Hope you are doing well!! xo
Thank you so much Em, I know my basil for the first time in years is really happy. Love it!! Try this recipe following the directions exactly and the results are all but guaranteed. Amazing really. Thanks again.
I’m so glad they turned out for you again, Suzanne! I really can’t wait to try them. I love your garden. The basil and sunflowers look so healthy and beautiful. What a great place to hang out!
Me too Shari thank you. My garden is pretty happy and I am very glad about that. Only a few casualties this summer, killed or let them die not sure but all in all healthy plants. Thanks so much.
Your garden is lovely, Suzanne!
By the way, I’ll be in NY with my family October 23-26. I’d love to meet up with you again if you have some free time!
Yes would love to meet you then!!
I’ll be in touch once the date draws nearer!
Yes let me know!
Hey Suzanne, loving the garden pictures! You have such a nice outdoor space so love seeing how green it is! I’m a big biscuit fan so I have to try your homemade ones! With all the jalapenos we have been picking in the garden I finally have a jalapeno cheddar bread recipe that I’ve been making weekly so I’d love to try to jalapeno up these biscuits!
Sounds wonderful Pamela, I am so envious of your gardening ability. You are the plant whisperer. Thank you so much.
Yes, they do look better with a dark background. Food photography… ai yai yai! Your garden looks like a little oasis! 🙂
Starting to learn more about photographing food. It’s a challenge for me, light is an issue in my home. The dark background really did make a difference with the biscuit though. Thanks Fae.
Your garden is gorgeous! I will have to give these biscuits a try, they look wonderful 🙂
Thank you Sarah they are really good biscuits!
That sunflower was glorious Suzanne!! Fun to get a little peek at your backyard. Happy weekend ahead!
Thanks Rhonda, I am waiting for the petals to fall off and I will harvest the seeds. My first time having sunflowers in the garden, they are so beautiful.
I love them too Suzanne– When we lived in southern Spain for those years, there were hills of sunflowers as far as you could see in June- all surrounding our pueblo–smallish ones, used to make cooking oil from the seeds. It was striking against the blue skies– and you knew the hot hot summer was not far behind.
The biscuits do sound lovely! You have a gorgeous garden, Suzanne!
Thank you, the biscuits were a revelation for me. The garden has been a work in progress for so long I finally feel it’s coming together.
wow Suzanne – what a biscuit I must try it some time soon, and your garden is now an oasis of peace compared to the before and after photos – the landscapers did a great job – love the Basil :)!
Thanks Poli, I can’t believe I actually have a backyard I can enjoy now.
it’s beautiful – love the sunflowers
WOW! The biscuits look amazing! I must give your recipe a try! You have a lovely garden!
You won’t be disappointed they are really good! Thank you Marcela.
I WILL be trying these biscuits. They look fantastic! And that basil plant! Beautiful!
I can’t believe I actually have basil this year. It’s amazing. Both plants are doing so well. Thanks so much,
You have such a beautiful garden Suzanne! I can picture you in it, enjoying these delectable biscuits for breakfast!
It’s so nice to be able to enjoy the backyard this year. Thanks so much Viviana.
Your backyard is beautiful…looks like you did a wonderful job! I was just out weeding a bit today, but there is still so much to do! 😛 And, I will be trying your biscuit recipe. I have searching for a good one, since it has been on my bucket list just the English muffins. The ones you made look fantasticly delicious!
The english muffins are on my bucket list. This winter definitely, Thank you so much Laila.
Those biscuits looks so flaky and scrumptious Suzanne…. and lovely garden you have….
Thanks so much Chitra.
Ah yes, the common – I made an amazing recipe… And then you make it again and it’s not so good! Happens to me all the time, ha ha ha!
Don’t you hate when that happens. I always think it has to be me and I did something wrong or different. Thanks Gigi.
Beautiful and well maintained garden Suzanne. The biscuits stand out against the dark background. Looking crisp and scrumptious 🙂
Thank you so much, starting to prep the garden for winter, hard to believe it won’t be long. I like the dark background it really does make the biscuit stand out,
These biscuits look so fluffy! Bookmarking to try soon! You garden is absolutely beautiful! 😀
Thanks Jess, it’s a really good recipe.
Your biscuits look PERFECT Suzanne, and your garden is beautiful!! I found this year to be just ideal for gardening. Everything was so abundant and even the rabbits and birds stayed away from my little one upstate. Make some pesto!!
I have such a weakness for buttery biscuits, but have never tried it at home…since you have worked so hard to find the perfect recipe, I definitely feel motivated to give this a try 🙂
I do too, unfortunately I have a weakness for foods that aren’t waistline friendly. These biscuits are really good and I have made them many times and each time they don’t disappoint. Thank you so much.