By Milcah Tanimu
Chef Melissa Martin of Louisiana has taken a surprising approach to her biscuit recipe, incorporating 7-Up soda. This addition gives the biscuits a light, airy texture that has become a family favorite. The recipe, originally found on the side of a box, has been adapted in her cookbook, Bayou: Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life, for a cleaner, more natural version without additives.
These biscuits are best served warm but can be reheated the next day for a quick treat. Whether you use butter, lard, or Crisco, the biscuits remain delicious. Martin also emphasizes the importance of quickly baking the biscuits after mixing the dough for optimal texture.
The recipe makes 12 large biscuits, and here’s how to make them:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (adjust if necessary). Melt butter in a pan and set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add cold fat and mix until it resembles coarse meal.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in 7-Up and cream, mixing just until the dough comes together.
- Shape the dough into a rectangle, folding it several times for flakiness. Cut into 12 biscuits.
- Bake for 20 minutes, rotating halfway through. Serve with butter and preserves.
