Baking Powder Biscuits

Okay, here they are – by popular demand … my fantastic baking powder biscuits.  

Once you get this down pat you will rely on these biscuits for anything from a summer morning with fresh peach jam or a winter evening served with a family favourite – chili, soup, stew … every household has their own comfort dinner!

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

4 tsp baking powder

Stir to blend and then with pastry blender, or 2 forks, blend in 1/2 cup cold butter (my tip: freeze the butter for 15 min ahead of time, and use the large holes on a box grater to grate the butter – instant flakes of butter)

Lightly beat 1 egg in a 1 cup measure, then stir in enough milk to reach the 1 cup mark.

With a fork, stir the egg/milk mixture into the dry ingredients – only enough to have it start to hold together.  Turn onto floured surface and … oh so gently … without overmixing … pat it together, and then into a solid shape, about 1 inch or so in height.  Using floured biscuit cutter (or your favorite glass) cut out shapes and place on floured baking sheet.

These are so flexible – if you want to add any herbs, or cheese – do so at the dry ingredient stage.  Go ahead and experiment – makes these your own family favorite!

To guarantee extra tall, fluffy biscuits, pop them into the fridge or freezer for a few minutes.  The combination of hot oven and cold butter creates magic!

Bake at 400 for 15 – 20 minutes (depending on your oven – check it at 15) until lightly golden and very fluffy!  Image

Marvelous Muffins

These muffins are so moist and delicious – Jean gave me this recipe years ago and I have used it in so many variations … try it yourself!

Yield: 24 regular size muffins

Preheat oven to 400

  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup margarine
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups mashed fruit
  • 2 tsp soda in 2 tbsp very hot water
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar, then using pastry blender cut margarine into dry ingredients.

Add beaten eggs to mashed fruit, soda/water mixture and vanilla.  Stir until well combined.

Gently toss wet with dry ingredients, taking care not to over mix.

Bake in greased muffin tins for 15-20 minutes, just until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

You can use any combination and variety of fruits here and they always turn out well.  Use your imagination with toppings also – sprinkle sugar/cinnamon over top before baking or give them a streusel topping!