anyone have a good biscuit base recipe?

[whitestripe]

I want to start baking some biscuits for mine and BF's lunch (and cups of tea!) and I need a good, easy base mix that I can add to.

I do have a couple of requirements:
-i will probably be mixing things like dates/apricots/ coconut/oats/carob/sultanas/pecans etc into it - so if you have a recipe of a biscuit like that feel free to post it as well!
-i do not own a mixer, beater or food processor, so unless the mix is made with a bowl and a spoon it will be useless to me!
-i would like it to be fairly healthy ie. not a lot of sugar (or honey as a substitute is fine) wholemeal or spelt flour etc.
-needs to be pretty easy to make!


anyway, thankyou in advance!

[GRITSinMS]

It was always amazing to watch my grandmother make biscuits - although she never taught me - I had to teach myself!
This is my recipe and tips

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
In a bowl put 2 cups self-rising flour
Into the bowl of flour you are going to cut in approx. 3/4 stick butter (cold) with a fork or pastry tool until the butter is incorporated and looks like little peas.
(the remaining butter, plus any extra you may want, you put in your iron skillet or pan and let melt in the oven - make sure not to burn)
Ater the butter and flour are mixed, add 3/4 cup milk (or buttermilk) and mix well, but do not overmix, until dough forms.
It is important not to overwork dough because you won't get flaky biscuits.
Lay dough out on floured surface, knead a couple of times, pat out into a circle about 1 -1 1/2 inches thick. Using round cutter, cut your biscuits and put into pan. ( I have a technique where I dip one side into the melted butter and then lay that side up).
Bake until golden brown (I don't know? 10 - 15 minutes)

I am not used to writing out recipes - so forgive me in advance! I hope this works for you. It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

[PrincessPerky]

I make an 'ugly' buiscuit... more sturdy than flaky.

It is a large batch because we are a large family,but I experimented with doubling so a bit of tweaking should halve it

preheat oven to 425:

combine:
4 tsp baking powder
3 cups whole wheat flour
pinch of salt (or use salted butter)

cut in: (use two knives or cutter till pea sized)
1 stick butter

mix in:
1.5 cups milk

drop 1/4 cup on stone bake 10-15 minutes

if you want them pretty use less milk and roll them out.

I also have a basic 'muffin' recipe that I mix in all sorts of fruit if you want it.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I think the original poster is asking about what USAmericans call "cookies."

[GRITSinMS]

It does sound like whitestripe is asking for more like a "scone"? ..which is pretty much like a sweetened biscuit, right? I have only made those with a pre-made mix.

Here is a recipe I found using the self-rising flour that is similiar to biscuits
Scones

[whitestripe]

i was asking for a 'cookie'

[sandyandry]

Almond Biscuits with Berry Butter
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
2 tablespoons honey

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Using a pastry blender cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Combine milk, almonds and honey. Add to butter mixture, mixing just until flour is moistened. Knead dough gently; shape into a ball. Roll out or pat down dough on a lightly floured surface to 3/4 inch thickness. Using a floured 3 inch heart shaped cutter, cut out the dough, rerolling as needed. Place about 1 inch apart on unbuttered baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden. Serve warm with Berry Butter.

To make butter:
Place 1 stick softened butter, cut into pieces, 1/3 cup strawberry preserves and 1/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries in work bowl of food processor; process until smooth. Or, you may stir together by hand. Transfer to covered container; refrigerate until ready to use.