Southern Sausage Biscuits

Ingredients: 

- 2 cups all-purpose flour 

- 1 tablespoon baking powder 

- ½ teaspoon baking soda 

- 1 teaspoon salt 

- 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed 

- ¾ cup cold buttermilk 

- 1 lb breakfast sausage 

- Sliced cheddar or American cheese (optional) 

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). 

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces. 

4. Stir in the cold buttermilk until the dough just comes together – be careful not to overmix. 

5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently fold it a few times. 

6. Roll the dough to a 1-inch thickness and cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter. Place the rounds on a baking sheet. 

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown on top. The biscuits should be fluffy and cooked through. 

8. While the biscuits are baking, shape the breakfast sausage into patties slightly larger than the biscuits (they will shrink during cooking). 

9. Cook the sausage patties in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked through. Drain on paper towels. 

10. Split the warm biscuits in half horizontally. Place a sausage patty inside each biscuit and add a slice of cheese if desired while the biscuit and sausage are still warm so it melts slightly. Top with the other biscuit half and serve immediately while hot. These are best enjoyed fresh and warm. 

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes 

Kcal: Approximate calories per serving: 350 | Servings: 8 biscuits 

Tips: 

- For fluffier biscuits, make sure your butter is very cold and cut it into the flour quickly. 

- You can substitute milk for buttermilk if you don't have any on hand, but the flavor and texture may vary slightly. 

- For extra flavor, add herbs or spices to the sausage before cooking, such as black pepper, paprika, or sage.