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What's the trick for flakey biscuits? I didn't over handle but the came out tasty but a bit dense.

Atlanticgull
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DrCrankyPants
DrCrankyPantsMay 6, 2014
What about the flour? Use low protein('Southern') flour for the most tender biscuits; you can add some cake flour to regular AP flour to reduce the protein content. Or try Shirley Corriher's Angel Biscuits.
aobenour
aobenourMay 6, 2014
Do what Julia does - pat the dough out into a rectangle and give it a couple turns like you are making puff pastry. I usually make a rectangle, fold it in thirds, pat it out again, fold it in thirds again, then pat it out and cut my biscuits. The turns will make your biscuits flakier, and make them rise higher.
sfmiller
sfmillerMay 5, 2014
A couple things to consider, in addition to what others have said:

1. For the lightest biscuits, the dough should be quite wet--so wet that it sticks easily to your hands and the board/counter unless you flour them first. Don't use too much bench flour, just enough to keep the dough from sticking.

2. If your recipe calls for baking powder, was your baking powder fresh? Baking powder loses leavening power over time, so if yours is long past the expiration date, chuck it and try again.
Atlanticgull
AtlanticgullMay 6, 2014
The recipe I was following wanted the dough to be 'shaggy', which I interpreted to mean on the dry side. Was I wrong? This time I'll err on the wet side.
boulangere
boulangereMay 5, 2014
Here's how I do it:
http://thesolitarycook.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/creme-fraiche-biscuits/
Atlanticgull
AtlanticgullMay 6, 2014
I will try these next! They look wonderful. Thanks!
Maedl
MaedlMay 4, 2014
when you work the butter into the flour, don't break the butter up too fine. Just like with pie dough, small chunks of butter help make flaky layers.
sexyLAMBCHOPx
sexyLAMBCHOPxMay 4, 2014
I buy leaf lard locally but you can purchase it through mail order (keeps forever) or make your own, http://www.homesicktexan.com/2008/05/how-to-render-lard.html
Atlanticgull
AtlanticgullMay 6, 2014
I checked out your biscuit recipe on your website. Should I just sub in the leaf lard for the butter or would you use a completely different recipe?
cookbookchick
cookbookchickMay 6, 2014
And than you, too!
cookbookchick
cookbookchickMay 6, 2014
And thank you, too! (Disregard the response below under Atlanticgull -- I wish there was an edit function!)
Atlanticgull
AtlanticgullMay 4, 2014
I just ordered some from Prairie Pride Farms.
sexyLAMBCHOPx
sexyLAMBCHOPxMay 4, 2014
Leaf lard make them tender & flakey.
cookbookchick
cookbookchickMay 4, 2014
But how/where to find leaf lard??
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