Samantha’s Jelly Biscuits
We are so happy that you have joined us for our next program for our inaugural exhibit, American Girl: 35 Years of Strong Characters.
For today’s program, we will be making Jelly Biscuits, a recipe inspired by American Girl character, Samantha, whose story takes place in 1904 New York.
Today’s craft can be found in Samantha’s Cookbook: A Peek at Dining in the Past with Meals You Can Cook Today. The following directions make 18 biscuits. We hope you enjoy Samantha’s Jelly Biscuits.
Ingredients
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk
Flour for cutting board and rolling pin
1/2 cup jelly or jam
Equipment
Sifter
Medium mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Pastry cutter (optional)
Fork
Cutting board
Rolling pin
2 to 3 inch round cookie cutter or drinking glass
Spatula
Cookie sheet
1 inch round cookie cutter or bottle cap
Potholders
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Put the sifter into the mixing bowl. Measure the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into the sifter. Then sift them into the bowl.
Add the shortening. Use the pastry cutter or a fork to blend the shortening and flour mixture until it becomes a coarse meal.
Add in the milk and blend with the fork until the mixture forms a soft ball of dough.
Sprinkle a little flour on the cutting board. Spread it evenly with your hands.
Put the ball of dough on the cutting board and knead the dough 12 times. To knead the dough, press down on it with the palms of your hands. Then fold it in half. Press it and fold it again. Add a little more flour if the dough sticks.
Put more flour on the cutting board and rolling pin. Roll out the dough from the center to the edges until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
With the large cookie cutter or the glass, cut circles close together out of the dough.
Use the spatula to move half the circles to the cookie sheet. Place them 1 inch apart.
With the small cookie cutter or bottle cap, cut a hole in the center of the remaining circles. Lift these rings onto the top of the biscuit circles on the cookie sheet.
Form a ball with the remaining dough, roll it out and continue forming circles and rings until all the dough is used.
Put a teaspoon of jelly or jam into each ring.
Bake the jelly biscuits for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are golden brown. Have an adult remove the biscuits from the oven to cool.
Once cooled, enjoy biscuits with your family and friends!
Photo of Samantha’s Jelly Biscuits | 1994 | American Girl, LLC., U.S.