Basic Biscuits
A basic Western pastry made with plenty of baking powder, with a crisp exterior and soft interior. Suitable as a main or snack.
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
185 g (about 1 1/2 cup)
baking powder
2 tsp
baking soda
1/2 tsp
salt
1/2 tsp
fresh milk
1/2 cup
lemon juice
2 tbsp
sugar
1 tbsp
frozen butter (cut into small pieces)
60 g
fresh milk or egg white (for brushing the surface)
a pinch
Instructions
1
Pre-preparation
Mix the fresh milk with the lemon juice and sugar. Cut the butter into small pieces. Sift the all-purpose flour together with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2
Cutting in the butter
Place the flour in a mixing bowl, add the frozen butter, and cut it into fine crumbs with a pastry cutter. A knife or fork can also be used to cut evenly. An easier way is to use both hands to rub the butter into the flour, but work quickly; if the butter has softened, refrigerate it until firm again, about 20 minutes.
3
Forming the dough
Pour the milk and lemon juice mixture into the flour and use a plastic spatula to bring the dough together. Work as quickly as possible to avoid developing gluten, then transfer to a work surface and dust the dough lightly with flour.
4
Shaping
Dust a rolling pin with flour and roll the dough out to about 1 cm thick. You can also press it flat with the palms of your hands, but be sure to dust your hands with flour to prevent sticking. Use a round cutter to cut out circles.
5
Arranging on the tray
Arrange the dough circles neatly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; alternatively, sprinkle the tray with cornmeal. For a crispier exterior, space the biscuits 1–2 cm apart; for a softer texture, place them close together.
6
Baking
Brush the tops with milk or egg white and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 15 minutes.
