| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 15 mins – 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 262 | 11g | 7g | 32g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 1g | 5g | 0.2g |
Today, I want to share one of my all-time favorite treats with you: Homemade Sassafras Biscuits! These delectable delights bring together the health-consciousness of my West Coast roots in California and the comfort of classic American baking. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep love and appreciation for how simple, wholesome ingredients can be transformed into delicious, nourishing meals and snacks. This recipe is a brilliant testament to that.
The Allure of Easy, Healthy Baking
What makes these Homemade Sassafras Biscuits so lovable is the simplicity of the recipe combined with the surprising twist of health benefits. Sassafras is a tree native to the eastern parts of North America, and its bark and roots have been used in traditional medicine for centuries for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Paired with nutritious dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, and apricots, these biscuits are more than just some sweet indulgence—they’re a secretly healthful treat.
Perfect Pairings
These biscuits are versatile enough to pair with anything from your morning coffee to your favorite fermented grape juice in the evening. Similarly, they make a delicious accompaniment to a hearty stew or chili, and can likewise shine as a standalone sweet-tooth satisfaction. If you enjoy classic scones or American-style biscuits, you’ll undoubtedly adore these. Still, their unique sassafras infusion and the touch of mixed dried fruits ensure they offer something new and exciting for your taste buds.
Despite being a California girl, I won’t deny the influence of southern-style baking on this recipe! It might remind you of grandma’s home-baked biscuits or even a holiday fruitcake. If a fusion of such flavors sounds appealing, I’m sure this buttermilk biscuits recipe from AllRecipes or a traditional British Christmas cake from Spruce Eats will tickle your fancy!
So, here’s to the joy of baking, to health made delicious, and to the unanticipated pleasure of sassafras in our biscuits! As I always tell my three wonderful, adopted kids, the secret ingredient in any homemade dish is the love you pour into it.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon sassafras powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup various dried fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries, apricots)
Method
Step One
Start by preheating your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Step Two
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. That includes 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon of sassafras powder. Stir these ingredients throughly until everything is well combined.
Step Three
Next, cut the cold, diced unsalted butter into the flour mixture. You can use your fingers or a pastry cutter to do this. Continue working the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles course crumbs.
Step Four
Now, make a well in the middle of your mixture and pour in the 3/4 cup of whole milk. Stir the milk into the dry ingredients until a dough begins to form.
Step Five
Once the dough has come together, fold in the 1/2 cup of various dried fruits. Be careful not to overwork the dough at this step.
Step Six
Turn out your dough onto a lightly floured surface and with a rolling pin, roll it out to about 1 inch thick. Using a round biscuit or cookie cutter, begin cutting out your biscuits and place them onto your prepared baking sheet.
Step Seven
Put the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for around 12 to 15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top.
Step Eight
Finally, remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Serve your homemade sassafras biscuits warm and enjoy!
