These rich, flaky biscuits are best eaten warm from the oven. As with all biscuits, it’s important not to overwork the dough while you are patting it out.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 dozen

　　4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

　　2 tablespoons baking powder

　　2 teaspoons sugar

　　1 teaspoon salt

　　2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces

　　2 cups heavy cream, plus more for brushing

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few larger clumps remaining.

　　

Step 2

Pour in the heavy cream; using a rubber spatula, fold cream into the dough, working in all directions and incorporating crumbs at the bottom of the bowl, until the dough just comes together. The dough will be slightly sticky.

　　

Step 3

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With floured fingers, gently pat the dough into a round about 1 inch thick, pressing in any loose bits. Do not overwork the dough. Use a floured 2 1/4-inch round biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits as close together as possible. (Use one cut edge as the edge for the next biscuit.)

　　

Step 4

Place the biscuits on an unlined baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. Generously brush the tops of the biscuits with cream. Bake, rotating the sheet halfway through, until the biscuits are golden and flecked with brown spots, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack to cool.

　　

Herb Biscuits Variation

Step 5

Follow instructions for Baking Powder Biscuits, adding 1/4 cup of finely chopped herbs, such as rosemary, oregano, thyme, or parsley, to the flour mixture after the butter has been cut in. Proceed with the recipe.

　　

Strawberry Shortcake Variation

Step 6

Follow instructions for Baking Powder Biscuits, increasing sugar to 1/2 cup, and reducing butter to 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup). Pat dough to about 1 1/4 inches thick before cutting out rounds. Before baking, brush rounds with 1 lightly beaten large egg (do not brush with cream), and sprinkle generously with sanding sugar, if desired.

　　

Step 7

While biscuits bake, slice 3 pints hulled fresh strawberries in half (or in quarters, if large). In a medium bowl, toss to combine with 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Let mixture macerate for 20 minutes.

　　

Step 8

After baking biscuits, cool them on a wire rack for 15 minutes, and then split in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom halves on serving plates, and top each with a dollop of Vanilla Whipped Cream (page 391). Spoon strawberries and juice over each, and cover with the biscuit tops. Serve immediately, with additional strawberries and whipped cream on the side, if desired.

　　Reprinted with permission from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook by Martha Stewart. © 2005 Clarkson Potter