Beaten biscuits
Beaten biscuits are a curious Southern delicacy that don’t have a whole lot of business on this blog about my vegetarian adventures, but they did have a huge part in shaping my childhood memories of the holidays.
My family makes beaten biscuits once a year, every year. Lard, white flour and milk combine to create the biscuits, which are then topped with butter and stuffed with salty country ham. Basically very, very good for you. I haven’t had one since I stopped eating meat, but I’ll still pitch in on the prep.
Mmmm lard biscuits
Because beaten biscuits date back to a time before baking powder and baking soda, a labor intensive process of kneading, folding, pounding and beating was used to work air bubbles into the dough that would serve as a natural leavener.
My family, however, uses a machine.
Beaten biscuit machine
Who wants to crank?
You twist the screws on the ends to raise and lower the press, starting wide and gradually tightening it as the dough smoothes out. Even with a machine, working the dough is a challenge. Manning the crank is a real workout and that responsibility is usually reserved for adults or children who insist they can do it. Note: They probably can’t.
If I remember the story correctly, my granddaddy designed this machine and they don’t really exist outside our family. Try a Google search for “beaten biscuit machines.” You won’t find many. I did find this woman who uses an old machine as a printing press now.
I don’t see ours being retired for other uses any time soon. This is probably what the family most looks forward to every year. Maybe I’ll make a lard-free version…
Stew and a biscuit
I made a turtle
Wow, that machine is hardcore! Wonder what you’d get for it on Pawn Stars???
Granddaddy had replicas manufactured many years ago from his mother’s original 1800 something machine. They were advertised for a time in Southern Living, I believe. Kentuckians eat them at KY Derby time, as well as the holidays. It is a necessity for a Christmas morning breakfast at this house.
that is SO AWESOME !! having attended art school prior to college, converting to a press is the first thing I thought of !!
I have an 1800′s model that my grandmother brought to Oregon with her when the family moved from KY back around 1910! It looks like th one pictured, but a little more basic (tin or metal table top instead of marble) Then basics are the same. I’m interested in selling it if anyone is interested.
I have my grandmothers machine. I started making the biscuits about 10 years ago after my grandmother passed away. The machine sat for many years before I decided to try making them again. My cousins all remember making them growing up and love eating them around Christmas time. I’ll be baking some tonight!!
wow, steve! i don’t know anyone outside my family who is familiar with beaten biscuits. love it.
Made eight batches last night…my arms are tired. The kids helped me as much as they could and then disappeared except for my my two youngest kids. Thanks for the reply.
Steve.
My wife regularly makes beaten biscuits, using the machine Dad bought Mom after they married in 1915 in Mobile. I believe it was made by a company in Lexington, Ky. We also have one in our vacation home in Montreat, NC. Son Richard has one we acquired along the way but has never taken it out of storage room. I used to turn the crank for Mom as a child, but in later years, we have put motors on them.
My wife’s nephew in Virginia would love to have one. If anyone reading this knows were he can find one for sale, please respond.
Bill, my granddaddy used to make them in Kentucky! You may have one of his. How cool… I will see if he knows where to find others for sale…