Edna Lewis Biscuit Recipe Made Easy and Delicious

Originally posted on June 24, 2015 @ 5:13 pm

When it comes to Southern cooking, few recipes capture the warmth and soul of the South quite like Edna Lewis’s biscuit recipe. Edna Lewis was a celebrated African American chef and author who championed the beauty of traditional Southern cuisine, emphasizing fresh, simple ingredients and time-honored techniques.

Her biscuits are more than just a side dish—they are a celebration of heritage, comfort, and pure flavor. Fluffy, buttery, and with just the right amount of flakiness, these biscuits bring a cozy touch to any meal, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

In this post, I’ll guide you through Edna Lewis’s classic biscuit recipe, sharing tips to get them just right and ideas for variations to suit your taste. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to biscuit making, these instructions will help you create warm, tender biscuits that could rival those from any Southern kitchen.

Plus, if you love baking, be sure to check out some of our other delicious recipes linked throughout this post for more culinary inspiration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Edna Lewis’s biscuit recipe stands out because it honors simplicity while delivering incredible taste. Here’s why you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and again:

• Authentic Southern flavor: This recipe uses basic ingredients that highlight the natural flavors of butter and buttermilk, creating a rich and satisfying biscuit.
• Perfect texture: The biscuits come out tender and flaky, with a golden crust that’s just the right amount of crisp.
• Easy to make: No fancy equipment or rare ingredients are needed—just straightforward steps and pantry staples.
• Versatile: These biscuits are perfect with sweet toppings like honey or jam, or savory additions like gravy or cheese.
• Cultural heritage: By making these biscuits, you’re connecting with a culinary tradition that dates back generations, celebrated by one of America’s great food writers.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, chilled

Equipment

• Mixing bowl – For combining all ingredients
• Pastry cutter or fork – To cut the butter into the flour
• Measuring cups and spoons – For accurate ingredient amounts
• Rolling pin – To flatten the dough (optional; you can also pat by hand)
• Biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter – About 2.5 inches in diameter
• Baking sheet – For baking the biscuits
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – To prevent sticking
• Cooling rack – To cool biscuits after baking

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution and a light texture.
3. Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or fork, quickly cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. This step is crucial for flaky biscuits.
4. Add the buttermilk: Pour in the chilled buttermilk and gently stir with a fork or spoon until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, or the biscuits will become tough.
5. Turn out the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and gently pat the dough into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Fold the dough over onto itself a couple of times to create layers, then gently pat it out again to the same thickness. This layering helps create flakiness.
6. Cut the biscuits: Using a biscuit cutter dipped in flour, cut out rounds from the dough. Press straight down without twisting to ensure the biscuits rise evenly. Gather any scraps, re-pat, and cut more biscuits until all dough is used.
7. Arrange on baking sheet: Place the biscuits close together on the prepared baking sheet—this helps them rise taller and stay soft on the sides.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and serve: Remove the biscuits from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack for a few minutes. Serve warm with butter, honey, or your favorite toppings.

Tips & Variations

“For the flakiest biscuits, keep your ingredients cold and handle the dough as little as possible.”

• Use cold butter and buttermilk: This prevents the butter from melting into the flour prematurely, which is key to flaky layers.
• Don’t overwork the dough: Mixing and kneading too much develops gluten, making biscuits dense rather than light.
• Add cheese: Mix 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar into the dough for a savory twist.
• Herb biscuits: Fold in 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs like chives, thyme, or rosemary for added flavor.
• Sweet biscuits: Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the dry ingredients for a touch of sweetness—perfect for breakfast.
• Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, use 3/4 cup milk mixed with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

These biscuits are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Here are some serving ideas to inspire you:

• Serve warm with a pat of butter and honey or jam for a classic Southern breakfast.
• Use as a base for a hearty sausage gravy for a comforting brunch.
• Split and fill with fried chicken, greens, or pimento cheese for a delicious sandwich.
• Accompany a bowl of slow-cooked stew or vegetable soup to soak up the flavors.
• Try alongside dishes from our Apple Barn Pigeon Forge TN Vegetable Soup Recipe Guide for a balanced, tasty meal.

Conclusion

Edna Lewis’s biscuit recipe is a timeless celebration of Southern cooking simplicity and flavor. With just a few basic ingredients and some careful technique, you can create tender, flaky biscuits that bring warmth and comfort to any table.

These biscuits are not only delicious on their own but also incredibly versatile, pairing beautifully with sweet or savory dishes.

Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe’s straightforward approach makes it easy to master the art of biscuit-making. Don’t forget to experiment with the variations and serving suggestions to make each batch uniquely yours.

For more delicious inspirations, check out our Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious or explore wholesome options like Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping. Happy baking!

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