Description
At its core, a biscuit is a quick bread reliant on the cold solid fat cutting technique to create delicate layers. When cold fat is dispersed throughout dry flour and then exposed to high oven heat, the moisture inside the fat vaporizes rapidly, creating tiny steam pockets that lift the dough into light, flaky layers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- 6 tbsp halal beef tallow, cold and solid
- 1 cup cold buttermilk, plus 1–2 tbsp if needed
- 1 tbsp melted beef tallow, for brushing
- Optional: ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven
Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Combine the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and black pepper if using. - Cut in the tallow
Add the cold beef tallow. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with a few pea-sized pieces remaining. - Add the buttermilk
Pour in the cold buttermilk and gently stir with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix. Add a little extra buttermilk if the dough seems too dry. - Fold the dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it into a rectangle, then fold it in half. Repeat 2–3 times to create flaky layers. - Cut the biscuits
Pat the dough to about ¾-inch (2 cm) thick. Cut out biscuits using a 2½–3-inch round cutter. Press straight down rather than twisting the cutter. - Bake
Place the biscuits close together on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with melted beef tallow. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until golden brown. - Serve
Let the biscuits cool for a few minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed warm.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 220 kcal
Keywords: halal tallow biscuits, beef fat buttermilk biscuits, halal beef fat biscuits, halal savory buttermilk biscuits