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Buttermilk Biscuits with Country Sausage Gravy





Total Time
45 mins

Chef Lisa Schroeder from Mother’s Bistro & Bar in Portland, OR makes these tangy biscuits with heavy whipping cream and extra butter on top, but we found them to be plenty rich made with half-and-half and a little less butter. Schroeder also likes to toast the biscuits in a frying pan before topping with gravy for the perfect breakfast meal.

Buttermilk Biscuits with Country Sausage Gravy




  Biscuits
 2 cups self-rising flour*
 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
 2 tablespoons sugar
 1/4 cup cold butter, plus 2 tbsp. melted
 3/4 cup buttermilk
 3/4 cup half-and-half or whipping cream
  About 1 cup all-purpose flour
  Gravy
 3/4 pound bulk pork sausage
 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or whipping cream
 1 1/2 cups whole milk
 3/4 teaspoon powdered garlic
 3/4 teaspoon powdered onion
 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves, plus more for sprinkling
 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne
  About 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
 3 tablespoons butter
Step 1
1

Make biscuits: Preheat oven to 450°. In a large bowl, whisk together self-rising flour, salt, and sugar. Cut cold butter into small cubes and, using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until pieces are the size of peas. Stir in buttermilk and half-and-half just until incorporated.

Step 2
2

Put all-purpose flour in a shallow bowl or pie dish. Using an ice cream scoop or measuring cup, scoop 1/8 of dough and drop it into flour, tossing lightly to coat and shaking off excess. Put dough in an 8-in. cake pan. Repeat with remaining dough (biscuits will touch in pan). Reserve 1/4 cup remaining all-purpose flour.

Step 3
3

Bake biscuits until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Brush with 2 tbsp. melted butter.

Step 4
4

Make gravy: Put sausage in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Transfer sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon, reserving any drippings.

Step 5
5

Meanwhile, in another medium saucepan over medium-low heat, warm half-and-half, milk, powdered garlic and onion, pepper, thyme, cayenne, and 1/2 tsp. salt.

Step 6
6

Add butter to sausage drippings and let melt. Add 1/4 cup reserved flour and whisk until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add warm milk mixture, whisking, until simmering. Stir in sausage and season to taste with salt. (For thicker gravy, simmer longer; for thinner gravy, add more milk.)

Step 7
7

Halve biscuits and put on 8 plates. Top with gravy; sprinkle with thyme.

Step 8
8

*You can substitute 2 cups all-purpose flour mixed with 3 tsp. baking powder and 1 tsp. kosher salt.

Step 9
9

Note: Nutritional analysis is per biscuit made with half-and-half and 1/2 cup gravy.

Step 10
10

PER BISCUIT MADE WITH HEAVY CREAM AND 1/2 CUP GRAVY: 728 Cal., 70% (513 Cal.) from fat; 13 g protein; 57 g fat (31 g sat.); 41 g carbo (2 g fiber); 1,031 mg sodium; 163 mg chol.

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
Calories 585Calories from Fat 62
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 40g62%

Saturated Fat 20g100%
Cholesterol 96mg32%
Sodium 1033mg44%
Total Carbohydrate 42g15%

Dietary Fiber 1.2g5%
Protein 14g29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.