Beaten biscuit facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Sea biscuits |
|---|---|
| Type | Biscuit |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Southern United States |
| Main ingredients | Flour, salt, sugar, lard, cold water |
Beaten biscuits are a special kind of biscuit from the Southern United States. They became popular in the 1800s. Unlike the soft, fluffy biscuits you might know today, beaten biscuits are much harder and crunchier. People in New England sometimes called them "sea biscuits." This was because sailors, especially on whaling ships, would take them on long journeys. They were a good food to store for a long time.
Contents
How Are Beaten Biscuits Made?
Ingredients and Basic Steps
The dough for beaten biscuits is quite simple. It is usually made from flour, salt, sugar, lard (a type of fat), and cold water. Once the dough is mixed, it is pricked with a fork. This helps the biscuits cook evenly. Then, the dough is cut into smaller shapes than a regular biscuit.
The Unique Beating Process
The most important part of making these biscuits is the "beating." The dough is hit repeatedly with a hard object or against a hard surface. This beating can last for a long time, sometimes 15 minutes or even up to 45 minutes! People used tools like a rolling pin or a hammer to pound the dough. This hard work makes the biscuits very dense and gives them their special crunchy texture.
Baking Beaten Biscuits
After all that beating, the prepared dough is baked. They are usually cooked at about 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) for about 20 minutes. Some bakers like them to be golden brown on top. Others prefer a crisp, white biscuit that is not browned at all.
How Were Beaten Biscuits Used?
Traditional Ham Biscuits
Beaten biscuits were often used to make "ham biscuits." These were a popular snack or appetizer in the South. To make them, the biscuits were sliced in half. Then, they were spread with butter, jelly, or mustard. Finally, pieces of country ham were placed inside.
Long-Lasting Treat
These biscuits were sometimes called "Sunday biscuits." This might be because they were a special treat. One great thing about beaten biscuits is that they can be stored for several months. You just need to keep them in an airtight container.
Special Machines for Beating Dough
Making beaten biscuits by hand was a lot of work. Because they were so popular, special machines were invented to help. These machines were called "biscuit brakes." A biscuit brake had two steel rollers that worked together. You would turn a crank, and the rollers would knead the dough for you. These machines often had a marble top and cast iron legs.
Why Are They Less Popular Now?
Today, beaten biscuits are not as common as they once were. This is mainly because of how much effort it takes to make them. Ham biscuits are still very popular in the United States. However, they are usually made with softer, standard biscuits or dinner rolls instead of the traditional beaten biscuits.
