Recipe: Royal Biscuits with Variations (Royal Baking Powder, 1940)

ROYAL BISCUITS WITH VARIATIONS


THE MASTER RECIPE:
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons Royal Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup milk (or half milk and half water)

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; add shortening and mix in thoroughly with fork. Add liquid to make soft dough. Turn out on floured board and toss lightly until outside looks smooth. Roll out 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured biscuit cutter. Place on greased pan.

Bake in hot oven at 475 degrees F about 12 minutes.

Makes 16 (two-inch) biscuits

HANDLING BISCUIT DOUGH:
When properly made, biscuit dough is handled quickly and lightly and only enough to give the dough a smooth appearance. If it is worked for 2 or 3 minutes, a slightly different texture results which is desirable for some quick breads. As little flour as possible should be used on the board and the dough should be patted or rolled lightly to the desired even thickness.

KEEPING BISCUIT DOUGH:
Biscuits may be mixed, cut out and kept several hours before baking. They must be well covered and brushed with melted butter to prevent a dry crust from forming over the tops. Place in refrigerator or other cool place. About one-half hour before baking remove from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature to "warm up." Bake as directed.

COMMON CAUSES OF FAILURE:
Insufficient mixing; rolling dough too thin; handling too much or baking in too slow an oven.

HIGH ALTITUDE: No change is necessary except at a very high altitude of 11,000 feet. Reduce the baking powder to 3 teaspoons and baking temperature to 425 degrees F.

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BISCUIT VARIATIONS:

BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
Makes 16

1 Master Recipe for Biscuits
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk

Sift baking soda with dry ingredients when making biscuit dough. Use buttermilk in place of sweet milk. Bake as directed.

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ORANGE BISCUIT SQUARES
Makes 12

1 Master Recipe for Biscuits
1 tablespoon sugar
grated rind and juice of 1 orange

Mix dough, adding sugar and grated orange rind to dry ingredients. Turn out on floured board and roll 1/2 inch thick. Cut in 2-inch squares and sprinkle with granulated sugar and orange juice. Bake in a hot oven at 475 degrees F about 10 minutes.

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CHEESE BISCUITS
Makes 24

1 Master Recipe for Biscuits
few grains cayenne pepper
1 cup grated cheese

Sift cayenne with dry ingredients when making biscuit dough. Add cheese after shortening. Bake as directed.

From: Recipelink.com
Source: A Guide to Royal Success in Baking, Royal Baking Powder, Standard Brands Inc., 1940