Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Cooking & Baking

In reply to the discussion: I love old cookbooks [View all]

Major Nikon

(36,915 posts)
12. Some of the old biscuit recipes produced a very different result
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 10:58 AM
Jul 2023

The recipes which have you melting smaller amounts of fat and adding to the liquid ingredients produced a more cake like biscuit. Baking soda was widely available in the 19th century and later baking powder. Some early versions of baking powder were just cream of tartar and baking soda, kept apart until ready to use. Later versions combined the two with other ingredients designed to slow the reaction down until the powder was incorporated. As these changes were made, recipes also changed as people were trying new things with them which weren't previously possible.

The evolution of American biscuits as we know them today came largely from the South and as you'd expect the history includes a lot of innovation from African Americans both as slaves and continued beyond slavery. King Arthur Flour has a good read on the subject.
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2023/01/30/history-of-american-biscuits

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I love old cookbooks [View all] spinbaby Jul 2023 OP
The cinnamon and cloves is Greek influence. Ever had Cincinnati style chili? FSogol Jul 2023 #1
I have had it spinbaby Jul 2023 #2
Whatever it is, it's not chili rokar Jul 2023 #13
I have my mother's 1947 "Joy of Cooking." Ocelot II Jul 2023 #3
Is that a Scandinavian cake, Ocelot? Diamond_Dog Jul 2023 #5
Yes, it's a Norwegian recipe, it's bread, not actually a cake. Ocelot II Jul 2023 #7
In my move back to Montana I somehow lost my mothers very old Searchlight cookbook. ratchiweenie Jul 2023 #10
I did a search for julekake Marthe48 Jul 2023 #20
Me too! In my family, we have an old Quakerfriend Jul 2023 #4
Did it include amounts and instructions? spinbaby Jul 2023 #6
My sister has it & I haven't see it in 16 yrs. but, Quakerfriend Jul 2023 #8
Many of the ingredients would be made ahead of time and kept on hand Major Nikon Jul 2023 #9
Agreed, a completely different way of eating spinbaby Jul 2023 #11
Some of the old biscuit recipes produced a very different result Major Nikon Jul 2023 #12
I used to collect them, sort of... 2naSalit Jul 2023 #14
I had my Mom's copy of The American Woman's Cookbook Marthe48 Jul 2023 #21
I had four other editions of that book... 2naSalit Jul 2023 #22
It has the only recipe I could find for salt rising bread Marthe48 Aug 2023 #24
I wonder about that too. 2naSalit Aug 2023 #25
I might try the oat bread, sounds good Marthe48 Aug 2023 #26
Check out this hilarious resource on old (mostly 20th century) cookbooks: TygrBright Jul 2023 #15
I love this! James Lileks is a humor columnist for my local newspaper Ocelot II Jul 2023 #16
I was collecting Old Crank Jul 2023 #17
I have a cookbook that was sold as a fund-raiser Mr.Bill Jul 2023 #18
Yes, recipes and ingredients have changed for sure. Marthe48 Jul 2023 #19
I collect Fannie Farmer cookbooks Retrograde Jul 2023 #23
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Cooking & Baking»I love old cookbooks»Reply #12