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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

March 8, 2021

A Messed Up Life (Recipe: Southern Buttermilk Biscuits)

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If you are looking for an easy yet tender and flavorful southern buttermilk biscuits recipe, this is the one for you!

Throwback post: Originally posted May 12, 2010. Pictures updated March 8, 2021. The post and buttermilk biscuits recipe remain the same. 

Buttermilk Biscuits with JamWell, it’s official. That future therapy fund for my kids that I have been contributing to since their birth is definitely going to be used. Ella, my three-year-old, just informed me that I am messing up her life. Yep… at 3, she is already talking like a fifteen-year-old who can’t stand her mom.

Funny thing is, when she told me that I was messing up her life, my imagination immediately pictured her as a teenager (she looked a lot like a gum-chewing Cyndi Lauper). I have a feeling I have interesting several years ahead for me with this one. I think I’ll up the contribution for her therapy fund, pronto.

Buttermilk Biscuits with Strawberry jamWhat could I have possibly done to make my THREE-year-old declare that because of me, her life was on the downward spiral? Well, I gave her instructions on how to handle biscuit dough. I know! The horror.

We were having a nice little mother-daughter bonding moment, making buttermilk biscuits to go with our favorite Baked Chicken Legs. Everything was going along just peachy when we got to patting out the dough. It was just about perfect when she decided to keep messing with the dough. I then explained to her that with biscuit dough, you can’t overwork it and handle it too much or it will mess up the biscuits. That was apparently the straw that broke the camel’s back because her mood switched completely and she threw her hands up and exclaimed, “Well YOU are messing up MY life!”.

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits with Strawberry Jam

Biscuit dough has to be handled carefully or you will end up with tough, hockey puck, flat biscuits. There’s no therapy fund for biscuits. If you handle biscuit dough incorrectly, there is no turning back. Luckily, I have a while to make up for my failures with my 3-year-old, and just in case,  I’ll keep pitching money into her therapy fund.

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Southern Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Alton Brown's Southern Buttermilk Biscuits recipe is an easy recipe for the most perfectly tender and flavorful biscuits.
Course Breakfast
Keyword biscuits, bread, breakfast
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 35 minutes minutes
Servings 1 dozen

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour plus additional for dusting
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons butter cold
  • 2 Tablespoons shortening
  • 1 cup buttermilk (I always use 1 TBS lemon juice with 1 cup milk and allow to sit for 10 minutes until curdled)
  • melted butter if desired, to brush on top of baked biscuits

Instructions

  • Preheat your over to 450 degrees.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using your fingertips, rub butter and shortening into dry ingredients until mixture looks like crumbs. (The faster the better, you don't want the fats to melt.) Make a well in the center and pour in the chilled buttermilk. Stir (I use my hands) just until the dough comes together. The dough will be very sticky.
  • Turn dough onto floured surface, dust top with flour and gently fold dough over on itself 5 or 6 times. Press into a 1-inch thick round. Cut out biscuits with a 2-inch cutter, being sure to push straight down through the dough.
  • Place biscuits on baking sheet so that they just touch. Reform scrap dough, working it as little as possible and continue cutting. (Biscuits from the second pass will not be quite as light as those from the first)
  • Bake until biscuits are tall and light gold on top, 15 to 20 minutes. Brush tops with melted butter, if desired.

Notes

Recipe from Alton Brown's Southern Buttermilk Biscuits.

These recipes go great with Southern Buttermilk Biscuits:

  • Cranberry Orange Compound Butter
  • Oven Baked Bacon
  • Cinnamon Honey Butter
  • Homemade Strawberry Jam
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Filed Under: Bread, Previous Tagged With: 3 year old, baking, Bread, buttermilk biscuits, food, recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    One of my friends had a three year old that was going on 16. I remember walking into their church building when we were visiting and she instantly went ahead of her parents acting as if she did not want to be seen with them. Another time we were babysitting for them and she got out of bed so we asked her if she was suppose to be out of bed and she looked at us, and no kidding did the ‘talk to the hand’ motion and said, “I need a minute”. Aren’t 3 year olds great!
    .-= Crystal’s Cozy Kitchen´s last blog ..Goals =-.

  2. Stephanie says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    Oh, you have to love toddlers and their moods! I mean, how DARE you coach her on the proper way to handle biscuit dough? What kind of mother are you? 🙂

    That said, I think a therapy fund is a good idea. I’ll have to start looking into that for my own poor children…
    .-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Buttercream Syrup =-.

  3. Steph (Desserts for Breakfast) says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    that second photo is just hilarious! and so perfect for this story.

    and mmmmmmmm biscuits…..
    .-= Steph (Desserts for Breakfast)´s last blog ..Mothers’ Day Duo: Matcha Orange Pots de Creme and Orange Carrot Ginger Cake =-.

  4. Tickled Red says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    What a funny story, she sounds like a hoot. I can just see her huffing at you 🙂 At least you are prepared. Love the biscuits 🙂
    .-= Tickled Red´s last blog ..Put your heels up! =-.

  5. Ginny says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:51 pm

    haha! 🙂 that is great! She’ll thank you for teaching her how to properly make biscuits someday! I was recently teaching a woman how to make bread… I kept saying “this is how my mom taught me!” A wonderful thing to pass along to your kids!

  6. El says

    May 12, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    OMG, I had to laugh. Three? At least you don’t have to be concerned that she doesn’t know how to assert herself ;>)

  7. picky cook says

    May 13, 2010 at 2:21 am

    Oh my that is too funny! I love your stories about your little ones & that picture is wonderful.
    .-= picky cook´s last blog ..malted guinness milk chocolate ice cream with whoppers =-.

  8. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    May 13, 2010 at 3:35 am

    Hahahah I LOVE that picture. It is priceless. 🙂
    .-= Jessica @ How Sweet´s last blog ..Happy Mother’s Day. =-.

  9. snacksgiving says

    May 13, 2010 at 4:29 am

    Haha I LOVE that picture. Downward spiral haan?
    .-= snacksgiving´s last blog ..Cupcakes for Spring =-.

  10. Ciaochowlinda says

    May 13, 2010 at 5:07 am

    Love the story and the photo – but seriously how could anyone complain when eating these delicious biscuits?

  11. bellini valli says

    May 13, 2010 at 6:06 am

    A therapy fund is a great idea, but not for our kids for us to get us through the teen years:D I would consider it therapeutic to make these biscuits:D

  12. Susan @ SGCC says

    May 13, 2010 at 6:54 am

    Hehehe! I can definitely relate. This is how it starts. Wait until she is a teen and absolutely nothing you do is right! I wish I’d started my therapy fund years ago. 😉
    .-= Susan @ SGCC´s last blog ..St. Agur Cheese: Three Ways =-.

  13. ovenhaven says

    May 13, 2010 at 8:15 am

    This is absolutely hilarious, and the photo is highly apt! I’m itching to have biscuits soon, but still deciding on a recipe to try out. How does this recipe match up to your mom’s?
    .-= ovenhaven´s last blog ..not for the flour nazi =-.

  14. Heather I. says

    May 13, 2010 at 8:33 am

    What a cute little story, you’ll have to remember it for when she’s older! Your biscuits look divine, I definitely want to make them NOW 🙂
    .-= Heather I.´s last blog ..Alex’s Scrambled Eggs =-.

  15. Pat Wogan says

    May 13, 2010 at 8:42 am

    Be careful when you answer ovenhaven’s question. Mama is watching. Ella is sooo creative.

  16. Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie says

    May 13, 2010 at 9:52 am

    Hahaha I love the picture of your daughter! I should probably start a therapy fund for my kids now…..and I’m not even planning on having kids anytime soon :).
    .-= Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie´s last blog ..Guest Post: Cookie Dough Truffles =-.

  17. The Duo Dishes says

    May 13, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    Kids say the darndest things! But they’ll still eat your biscuits. 🙂
    .-= The Duo Dishes´s last blog ..Patience is Indeed a Virtue =-.

  18. Melissa says

    May 13, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Hilarious! I love the picture of your daughter. She looks like a free spirit!
    .-= Melissa´s last blog ..Lemon-Lime Curd =-.

    • Char says

      December 14, 2011 at 7:16 pm

      I’m grateful you made the post. It’s cearled the air for me.

    • kfxisyv says

      December 15, 2011 at 2:26 am

      b7yY1f lbnflwndiglx

  19. Jimi says

    May 13, 2010 at 10:39 am

    We have really been enjoying those baked chicken legs. Have these replaced the other biscuits you posted, because we eat a lot of those too. Should I switch to these? 🙂
    .-= Jimi´s last blog ..Chris Cooks Days 4 & 5 =-.

  20. Lynn says

    May 13, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    Skip the therapy and enroll her in acting classes. Obviously she has a flair for drama.

  21. Barbara Bakes says

    May 13, 2010 at 6:47 pm

    What a cutie! Love the picture. I think you are in for big trouble during the teen years. Your biscuits look perfect.
    .-= Barbara Bakes´s last blog ..Easy German Chocolate Cake =-.

  22. Joanne says

    May 13, 2010 at 5:17 pm

    So funny! Three year olds really say the darndest things 😛 (Not that you really want to hear that.) I’m sure I’ve said just that to my mother a number of times…and my life has turned out pretty damn okay. So I wouldn’t stress too much 😛

    In the meantime, just eat a few more of these delicious biscuits. It’ll make you feel better!
    .-= Joanne´s last blog ..Coconut Rice Pudding Cake with Raspberry Compote – A Review of Deborah Madison’s Seasonal Fruit Desserts =-.

  23. camille says

    May 13, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    My friend’s niece can join the club with Ella and the girl Crystal mentioned. She’s always addressing my friend as “Auntie Meghan.” in this super serious tone, like she’s her boss calling her in for a performance review. She does other stuff too… actually, she’s not so much a miniature teenager as a miniature adult, the kind with a lot on her plate and no time to dilly-dally.
    .-= camille´s last blog ..Asian Chicken Chili =-.

  24. Lynda says

    May 13, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    Oh boy, you might have a few interesting years ahead of you! 🙂
    What a cutie your daughter is.
    Ther’s nothing better than homemade biscuits-yours look perfect.

  25. Simone (junglefrog) says

    May 14, 2010 at 12:13 am

    O haha, that is such a funny story. Three year olds must be among the funniest people out there (and they don’t even realize it, or do they?) 🙂
    .-= Simone (junglefrog)´s last blog ..Daring cooks May 2010; Enchiladas =-.

  26. Holly says

    May 14, 2010 at 3:42 am

    Aren’t kids awesome!! My Grand daughter announced (she was 5 or 6 at the time) “Grandma, you don’t know nothing, your brains too old’. Sure gave me a good laugh!

  27. Amy from She Wears Many Hats says

    May 14, 2010 at 4:34 am

    If my kids find out that you’re making homemade biscuits then they’re gonna say I’m messing up their lives. So shhh, don’t tell.

    These do look yummy though.

    (Randy says that’s some mighty pretty grass there.)
    .-= Amy from She Wears Many Hats´s last blog ..It’s a mystery… =-.

  28. Barbara says

    May 14, 2010 at 4:44 am

    Oh Lord. They grow up way too fast, don’t they? Yes, you’re going to have a marvelous time when she is 16.

    Can we hope she remembers something from the biscuit-making enterprise? Like not over-working the dough? Yours look great!
    .-= Barbara´s last blog ..Gyōza =-.

  29. Mrs. L says

    May 14, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    Since today is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, this is perfect…since mine always turn out like hockey pucks I’ll try your recipe (maybe it’s NOT me and the recipes I try??? 🙂
    .-= Mrs. L´s last blog ..Crockpot Chocolate Candy =-.

  30. Karly says

    May 16, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Girl children are so difficult, aren’t they? They’re just full of drama. It’s fun and hilarious and completely maddening, though.

    Your biscuits look gorgeous. I have a recipe for biscuits that get beaten into submission with a rolling pin…maybe your daughter would like to make those next time? 😉
    .-= Karly´s last blog ..Chocolate Chip Surprise Muffins =-.

  31. Kate at Serendipity says

    May 17, 2010 at 10:14 am

    Kristen, thanks for following my travels. It’s good to be home and to be able to check in with you.

    I grew up on biscuits. Learning to make them was a rite of passage, and you always learned from the masters (or mistresses, I would say, but it might be misunderstood…). Your daughter is lucky that you can teach her!

    I LOVELOVELOVE that photo of her!
    .-= Kate at Serendipity´s last blog ..Home again… =-.

  32. Jessica Lee Binder says

    May 17, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Is this the daughter I share a birthday with? I think I was a difficult child too. I have a couple of family and friends who have 3 year olds now and I’m just flabbergasted at the things they’re saying. Great photo of her, capturing so much of that independent spirit.
    .-= Jessica Lee Binder´s last blog ..Ramps, Prosciutto, and Cave Aged Gruyere =-.

  33. Sandie {Inn Cuisine} says

    May 18, 2010 at 11:54 am

    Oh, this cracked me up! How I needed a little comic relief. Kids say the darndest things, don’t they? Looking forward to our upcoming weekend 🙂
    .-= Sandie {Inn Cuisine}´s last blog ..An Innside Look at Chocolate Gardening, Part 2 =-.

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    August 9, 2010 at 9:21 pm

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  5. Belinda Broido says:
    August 9, 2014 at 7:30 am

    Belinda Broido

    A Messed Up Life (Recipe – Southern Buttermilk Biscuits)

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