My husband is a huge Elvis Presley fan. Recently, he ran across this recipe for buttermilk biscuits in the book, Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend.
Apparently, it was Elvis Presley’s favorite biscuit recipe. They were supposed to be the most amazing buttermilk biscuits ever, so my husband decided to try his hand at them.
The result? Wow, wow, wow! These have become a family favorite for special occasions, made exclusively by Daddy and lovingly nicknamed Elvis Biscuits.
(NOTE: We double the recipe and I do have permission to reprint this recipe.)
Elvis Biscuits
5 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
8 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
1 envelope yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
½ c lukewarm water
1 c shortening
2 c buttermilk
In a large bowl (VERY large bowl if you are doubling), mix together the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt. In a cup, sprinkle yeast over the lukewarm water, stir to dissolve, then cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.
After the yeast has proofed (gotten bubbly), add the yeast mixture, shortening and buttermilk to the flour mixture. Mix together well with a wooden spoon or in a mixer with a dough hook (or if you are like my husband, just use your hands!)
Cover loosely with a tea towel and let rise in a warm place for about an hour.
Knead on a floured surface just a little (do NOT overwork the dough!) Put dough back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, when you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 425°. Take out a portion of the dough and roll out to ½” thickness on a floured surface with a floured rolling pin. Cut with a biscuit cutter (or an upside-down glass, if you don’t own a biscuit cutter) and place biscuits on a greased baking sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Serve nice and hot with lots of butter!
Makes 2 dozen (4 dozen if doubling)
Dough will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
February 11, 2013 at 6:20 amI can’t wait to try those biscuits!
Christina says
February 11, 2013 at 7:41 amThank you Amy !! Always wanted a simple but yummy biscuit receipe, I have been buying the pillsburry biscuits cause I can never ever make them to taste the same ! I will make these tonite THANK YOU????
Kristin says
February 11, 2013 at 3:58 pmYum….these sound delicious! Have you ever tried making them without the overnight rest?
Amy says
February 11, 2013 at 9:43 pmNo, we have not. My husband refuses to deviate from the recipe. ;)
Jaime says
February 11, 2013 at 4:58 pmHave you ever made them with whole wheat flour?
Natasha@Mother of Seven says
February 11, 2013 at 7:18 pmI was wondering about making them with whole wheat also. I cannot seem to find a good whole wheat biscuit.
Cindy says
February 11, 2013 at 7:30 pmThat is because no self-respecting biscuit would dream of being good for you. ;-)
Amy says
February 11, 2013 at 9:57 pmAMEN, sister! lol
Amy says
February 11, 2013 at 9:56 pmI do have a recipe for a good whole wheat biscuit. This is not it. ;) Here’s the link to the whole wheat biscuits we make (you can do all whole wheat with this recipe if you use something like Prairie Gold): http://www.raisingarrows.net/2009/08/my-favorite-biscuits-2/
Katie says
April 20, 2013 at 11:24 amI have made these with whole wheat flour and butter instead of shortening. They are yummy and with the yeast in the dough they are still light despite the whole wheat flour.
Amy says
April 22, 2013 at 12:53 amGood to know…wonder if I could convince my husband to at least try it. ;)
Amy says
February 11, 2013 at 9:54 pmNo, we have not. My husband would fall over if I put whole wheat in them! lol
Cindy says
February 11, 2013 at 7:24 pmYeast raised biscuits? Elvis really wasn’t from this planet. Have to try those someday when I have enough foreknowledge of my breakfast plans to start them in time.
Amy says
February 11, 2013 at 9:57 pmI know! I wasn’t sure how to feel about yeast biscuits, but oh my! YUMMY!
Amy says
February 11, 2013 at 9:00 pmThese sound amazing! We love homemade biscuits; can’t wait to try these.
Jamie says
May 27, 2013 at 9:01 amHow long do these last in the fridge?? I’m picking up some palm shortening on my way to town today and I’m getting these made up tonight! They look delicious!
Amy says
May 28, 2013 at 12:57 pmYou can keep them for a week. :)
Patricia Grace says
January 30, 2017 at 10:45 amI have made these biscuits and they NEVER FAIL! My family loves them.
Saw them in the book, ELVIS PRESLEY: THE MAN, THE LIFE, THE LEGEND
Really — they always rise 100% of the time. A miracle!