How to Make Cathead Biscuits - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked biscuits wafting through the air to bring a sense of comfort and warmth to any kitchen. And when it comes to Southern-style biscuits, Cathead Biscuits are a true classic. These fluffy, tender biscuits are named for their size, which is akin to the head of a cat. They're a staple in Southern cooking, often served alongside fried chicken, smothered in gravy, or enjoyed on their own with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey.

What sets Cat...

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups self-rising flour (such as WhiteLily®)
  • 1 pinch salt (Optional)
  • 3 tablespoons room-temperature vegetable shortening (such as Crisco®), or as needed
  • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk, or as needed
  • ¼ cup melted butter for brushing, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 large biscuits

  • Preheat an oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch cake pan.
  • Sift flour and salt together into a large mixing bowl. Make a dent in flour by pushing flour from center toward sides of bowl. Add 2 walnut-size lumps of shortening and a splash of buttermilk to the flour where you made the dent. Work the shortening into the flour using fingers in a twisting motion (rub thumb against pointer and middle finger motion) until the shortening is fully incorporated into the flour.
  • Pour buttermilk into the flour about 1/4 cup at a time, continuing to work it in with your fingers until the buttermilk is completely incorporated into a sticky dough.
  • Roll dough into 8 large balls and drop into prepared cake pan, working around the outside and putting the last one in middle to fill the pan. Press dough balls with back of fingers to flatten until they touch and are about 3/4- to 1-inch thick.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the tops are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Brush tops with melted butter.
  • Nutrition

    336 cal.

    • Total Fat: 12g
    • Saturated Fat: 5g
    • Cholesterol: 17mg
    • Sodium: 910mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 49g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 3g
    • Protein: 8g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 275mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 160mg