Biscuits, Buttermilk (Proof Recipe)
Ingredients
- 24g salt
- 72g baking powder
- 600g Central Milling Artisan Baker’s Craft Flour (organic bread flour)
- 600g White Sonora Flour (stone-milled, whole wheat)
- 50g sugar
- 454g (1 lb) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 800g cold buttermilk
- 2 whole eggs (for egg wash)
Directions
Prepare the Dough Base
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine salt, sugar, baking powder, and both flours. Stir together evenly.
- Cut in the butter:
- Keep butter very cold before incorporating.
Cut the butter into thin strips, then into cubes.
- Add the butter to the flour and toss gently to coat.
- Using your hands, flatten each cube into small discs—this will help create the flaky layers.
- Continue working until most of the butter is in small flat discs rather than big chunks.
Add Buttermilk & Form Dough
- Pour in cold buttermilk: Drizzle the 800g of buttermilk over the flour-butter mixture.
Gently mix
- Use your hands to fold the flour over the buttermilk, gradually bringing the dough together.
- The dough should be shaggy and slightly sticky but not over-mixed—we don’t want gluten development.
- Turn out onto a work surface: Dump the dough onto a clean surface.
- Form a loose rectangle: Gently press the dough together into a rectangular shape using your hands.
- First fold: Using a bench scraper, fold the dough in half like a book.
- Roll and fold again:
Lightly flour the top of the dough.
- Roll it out to about 18 inches wide and 12 inches tall.
- Fold it into thirds like a letter (this is called a letter fold).
- Repeat one more time: Roll the dough out again and fold it once more to create extra layers.
- Final roll-out: Roll the dough to a 9x12-inch rectangle, about 1-inch thick.
Cut into squares
- Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to divide into twelve 3x3-inch squares.
- Avoid twisting when cutting—this helps preserve the layers.
Place on a baking sheet
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a Silpat.
- Arrange biscuits with a little space in between.
Egg wash
- Beat 2 eggs and lightly brush the tops of the biscuits for a golden crust.
- Alternatively, you can brush with extra buttermilk for a more rustic look.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown and reach an internal temp of 190°F (88°C).
- Cool slightly before serving.
- Enjoy!