Brenda Gantt Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe
Brenda Gantt Buttermilk Biscuits are more than just a Southern staple—they’re a warm hug from the past, folded into soft layers and brushed with love. They remind me of Saturday mornings at my grandmother’s house, where the kitchen smelled like fried apples, fresh coffee, and biscuits rising golden in her cast iron skillet. She’d hum an old hymn as she pinched dough between her fingers, never measuring, only feeling.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Pastry cutter
- Cast iron skillet
- Measuring cups
- Biscuit cutter
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup cold buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (230°C). A hot oven is key to helping your biscuits rise tall with a crisp, golden top and a soft, fluffy center.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. This dry mix creates the foundation for light and airy biscuits.
- Cut in the Butter: Add ½ cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to gently work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Keep the butter cold—those little bits will create flaky layers during baking.
- Add the Buttermilk: Pour in 1 cup of cold buttermilk and stir gently until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing, which can make the biscuits dense. It’s okay if the dough looks a little rough—that’s perfect.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a round about ¾ to 1 inch thick using your hands. Fold it over once or twice, then gently pat it down again. Cut biscuits using a cutter or shape by hand, just like Brenda Gantt does.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the shaped biscuits close together in a cast iron skillet or on a baking sheet. Letting them touch slightly helps them rise higher. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Brush and Serve: When they come out of the oven, brush the tops with melted butter if desired. Serve your biscuits warm with honey, jam, or simply on their own. They’re soft, buttery, and filled with Southern charm.