My Dad is from the backhills of Kentucky. When I was a kid, we went down to visit all the family in Bee Spring, a small holler populated
almost entirely by my cousins, aunts and uncles. I had never experienced an outhouse nor Grandpa’s “coondogs” that slept outside it. Believe me, there’s nothing more invigorating than trying to run to the outhouse at 3am and slam the door before three baying, speeding bloodhounds grab your nightgown and pull you down so you slide down the hill and fall into the creek (must be pronounced ‘crick’.) Ah…good times (shiver).
But I gained more than just an everlasting gratitude for indoor plumbing. I also had some of the finest food I’ve ever eaten. Grandpa’s wife, Dolly Mae, was as fine a cook as they come and the one thing I remember from that trip was Kentucky Biscuits. We had these for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I never tired of them. Recently, I found a recipe for them at My Wooden Spoon and had to cook them right away.
If you’ve never had them, you must try the recipe. They’re incredibly easy, slightly sweet and loved by every kid that’s had them.
KENTUCKY BISCUITS
- 2 c. flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- dash of salt
- 2 Tbl. sugar
- 1/2 c. butter
- 3/4 c. buttermilk (I keep powdered buttermilk around in case I don’t have any fresh handy, but My Wooden Spoon suggests adding 1 or 2 Tbsp. of vinegar to regular milk)
PREPARATION:
Mix dry ingredients. Add butter, milk and form into soft dough. (I cut my butter into small slices and worked it in with my hands.) Do not over knead!

Pat into a ungreased pie or cake pan. Dolly Mae made these in a cast iron skillet but mine’s ginormous so I used an 8″ cake pan.
Cut into serving size portions before you cook.
Bake at 400º for 15 to 20 minutes or until done and golden brown. Brush with butter until it’s all melty-like.
Share this Post[?]













March 5th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Ohhhhhh, you make them look sooooo good! Darn, now I want to make more:) I hope you really did eat the crumb first too btw…LOL.
Thanks for the link love and I enjoyed the story that went with it;)
March 6th, 2008 at 8:15 am
YUM! I just found a biscuit recipe yesterday that I’m going to get all the ingredients for this morning. You and I think alike! Yours look incredible!!!
March 6th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Oh man. YUM! I love bread. Period. LOL
PS – my husband’s family is from KY as well. Love the story!
March 6th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Hi there my name is Jeena and I have started a food recipe forum that I thought you would like to join here Click here for food recipe forum
I would love to see you on there to chat about food and cooking you can talk about anything you like and start your very own topics.
or see my main food recipe website Jeenas food recipe site
Hope to see you soon
Thanks
Jeena x
March 6th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Ah, so you know how to say creek, right? Thanks for visiting!!
March 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Why, yes, I did eat the crumb first! It begged me to eat another…so I did. So glad you came to visit!
March 6th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Hi! Thank you for visiting my blog, and taking the time to leave a comment. I really appreciate that a lot! I’ve been looking around your blog and think it’s terrific, I love your humor! Thanks for the chuckle, I’ll be back for sure! Hope you’re having a great week!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
March 6th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Too cool…I’m sure I just posted about me being a biscuit loser. I love the idea of baking them in a pan and not having to handle them too much. My MIL told me that is what I do wrong. Can’t wait to try these!
March 7th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Judy, don’t feel bad. I’m from southern roots and I prefer these cause they’re so much easier.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Ta, Amanda! I love visiting your part of the world every chance I get.
March 7th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Just found your blog, and had my first fond memory and laugh of the day…thank you! Growing up, my parents had close friends that were from Kentucky. I was transported back to a visit to their warm home, where “Uncle Ray” was trying to teach me how to make hoe cakes. Since he made them by flying by the seat of his pants, I have to say I never quite mastered the art. They were absolutely delicious (being fried in lard, of course), served with plenty of butter, syrup and sorghum. *Sigh* My laugh came as I scrolled down the page and came to the horrible husband disease…Man Cold. They are truly worse than children when they get sick! Again, thanks again for the trip down memory lane and the laughs.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I’ve been making biscuits for over 30 years and never saw them made like that, but I am going to try it. I love your description of your visit to the holler and especially the outhouse one.lol.. It sounds just like home. Well, years ago home. Thanks for visiting me and I sure do enjoy your site.
March 8th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Sounds like home? I find it amazing how common some memories can be. Thanks!
March 8th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Lard, lard, beautiful lard. In our home, Dad kept a coffee can filled with old bacon grease that he used in everything. No wonder everything tasted so good.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I happened to have all the ingredients and made them the same day. Awesome! I made them in a cast iron skillet because I have one that these fit perfectly in. I’ve spent a lot of time in Kentucky, and I love that you know how to say “crik”. There’s just no other way.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I think they’re actually better in a cast iron skillet. As is everything. Thanks for stopping by!!
March 18th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Oh yum! These look so delicious – I love bread, biscuits etc. will definitely try these!
Manuela
March 18th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Yes, they’re especially delicious with apple butter or homemade jam. These are the easiest biscuits you will ever make. Betcha this is how you’ll make them once you try them.
October 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I love your blog! I just ’stumbled’ on it and will visit often!