We acquired a few more additions to our flock of chickens: 3 adult hens and one baby orphan. Light gray in color, the baby has been aptly named “Luna” by our little neighbor, Ben. 

Luna is already a good eater, happily pecking up left over biscuit crumbs.

And talking about biscuits, if you’re leaning into making bread but don’t have time or the inclination to fool with yeast, rising, and all that, how about making a batch of buttery farmhouse biscuits that take just a few minutes to prep and bake up tender and tasty, every time?

Here’s a recipe for what I call “patty pan biscuits”. It’s a real basic recipe with flour, salt, baking powder, butter and milk. The dough is patted into a square right on the baking pan, then the dough is cut almost all the way through into 12 biscuits. No need to cut out individual biscuits. After baking, the biscuits are easily separated with a knife. 

I made some honey butter with honey from our hives to go alongside. 

Perfect with a homey supper of lemon barbecue meatloaf.

Let me know if you try these biscuits and what you think.

Patty pan biscuits

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small dice 

3/4 cup milk

Melted butter for brushing on top

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400.

Spray a baking pan.

Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together. 

Using a pastry blender or a fork, cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles real coarse crumbs. A few larger pieces are OK.

Stir in milk until a soft dough forms. 

Dump dough out onto baking pan and, with lightly floured hands, pat into a 6 “ square. 

Using the dull side of a knife, cut dough into 12 biscuits, but don’t go all the way through.

Brush with melted butter and bake 15 -20 minutes. Mine were done in 17 minutes.

If you like, give them another light brushing of butter.

Cool a few minutes, then finishing cutting through along lines with a knife.

Honey butter

Mash 1/4 cup soft butter, then add 2-3 tablespoons honey and mix well. Spread on warm biscuits.

Tips

Does flour go bad?

For the most part, flour is shelf stable. Check the “best by” or “best if used by” date. 

Are there signs that flour has gone bad?

Use your senses. If when you open the bag it smells bad, it’s a sign of oxidation, which smells musty or sour. 

If it’s clumpy, moisture has probably gotten to it.

For longer life, refrigerate or freeze.