Super Simple Freezer Biscuits

This is the time of year when I start to feel that hunting and gathering feeling.  You know, you start thinking about stocking up for the winter so that your family has enough food to make it through whatever type of winter Mother Nature throws your way.  Fall is my favorite time of year and this is one of the reasons why!

I have this great recipe for Freezer Biscuits that I have used for years.  It is just a basic recipe and I believe I have seen other versions of it on line but this one is a tried and true recipe from my recipe box.  You can make a batch or two of these together very quickly in an afternoon and then throw them in the freezer so that they are ready to go when you need them.  One batch makes about 21 - 22 biscuits so if you have a smaller family you may be able to stretch it to two meals.

I use my electric mixer to make the process go much quicker (and it saves my arms) but if you like mixing by hand, be my guest.  Here is what you need to do:

Measure 4 Cups of Flour

and level each cup out before adding to your mixing bowl.

Add 2 Tablespoons Baking Powder

and 1 teaspoon Salt

and turn your mixer on low for just a few turns around the bowl to mix the dry ingredients.

Add in 1 Cup of Shortening or Butter and mix until everything is crumbly.  I added 1/2 Cup of Butter and then I added

1/2 Cup of Shortening (Crisco) because I love the butter flavor and the Crisco makes the biscuits extra flaky.  Biscuits are supposed to be flaky so you if you want to use all Crisco, more power to you!

Turn your mixer on and let it mix on a medium speed until your dough looks like pea sized balls and when you pinch it between your fingers, it sticks together a little.  Turn your mixer off first before you put your hand into the mixer to test the dough though!

Slowly add 1 1/4 Cup of milk and mix until a ball forms or it just kind of sticks together.  When you lift it out of the mixing bowl you will notice that it is very soft to the touch.

Roll the ball out on a floured surface to about 3/4 inch thick and cut into biscuits.

Lay the biscuits on a cookie sheet as you cut them out.

Roll the excess dough back out again and cut more biscuits and place them on the cookie sheet.

Do it again until you are all out of dough.

Put the cookie sheets in the freezer to chill for about 30 or 40 minutes until they are stiff.

Take a large freezer bag and write the recipe name and date you made the dough on the front as well as the baking instructions.

Place the semi-frozen biscuits in the bag fanning them out a little so that they are not flat on top of each other.

Place the bag in the freezer.

When you are ready to cook the biscuits you can thaw them out for 30 - 40 minutes before putting them in a 450 degree oven for 8 - 12 minutes. They will rise more if you let them thaw out before baking but if you are in a hurry, you can put the frozen biscuits right into the oven.  They won't rise as much but you can do it.

I like to make about 3 or 4 batches of this delicious recipe and stock my freezer with them. When you are a busy mom and don't have a lot of time, this is  a great side dish to throw together and have ready when you have only a few minutes to throw something warm and filling onto your table.  And they will go along great with any of your freezer meals.  Give these a try and let me know what you think!

Happy Baking!

Super Simple Freezer Biscuits 4 Cups Flour
2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Shortening or Butter
1 1/4 Cup Milk (Just eyeball this depending on what you need to form a soft ball)

Mix all the dry ingredients together in your mixer and then add the butter and mix until it is in little balls.  Add in the milk and mix until a ball forms and then roll the dough out onto a floured surface and cut into biscuits.

Cut into 3/4 inch round or square biscuits and place on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for about 30-40 minutes when the biscuits are slightly hard.  Place them in a freezer bag but fan them out so that they aren't right on top of each other.  This will make it easier to get them apart when you pull them out of the freezer.

You can thaw them for 30 minutes to an hour before baking at 450 degrees for 8-12 minutes or you can bake them straight from the freezer.  They will rise and be more flaky if you give them time to defrost.