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Jean's Sticky Biscuits

My long-time friend, colleague, and fellow Southerner, Jean Anderson, relates in her wonderful American Century Cookbook how her mother came up with this delightful variation on old-fashioned sticky buns as a way to avoid having to fool with yeast dough. Contrary to what the long list of ingredients might imply, the biscuits are quick and easy and perfect for a stylish brunch.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 9 biscuits

Ingredients

Glaze:

1

/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1

/2 cup orange juice

1

/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1

tablespoon finely grated orange rind

Biscuits:

2

cups all-purpose flour

1

tablespoon baking powder

1

/2 teaspoon salt

1

/4 cup vegetable oil

3

/4 cup whole milk

Filling:

1

/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1

/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1

/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    1. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. In a small, heavy saucepan, bring the glaze ingredients to a boil, spoon the mixture into the prepared pan so it completely covers the bottom, and set aside.

    Step 2

    2. Preheat the oven to 450°F.

    Step 3

    3. To make the biscuits, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the oil and milk till well blended, pour into the well, and stir just till a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and roll into an 18 x 10-inch rectangle.

    Step 4

    4. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the filling ingredients, then sprinkle evenly over the rectangle. Starting from the short side, roll up the rectangle jelly-roll style into an 18-inch-long log, slice into 9 biscuits 2 inches thick, arrange the biscuits cut side down in 3 rows in the glazed pan, and bake till puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

    Step 5

    5. Invert the pan immediately onto a large platter so the glaze runs down over the biscuits and serve hot.

Biscuit Bliss Harvard Common Press