Biscuits with Sawmill Gravy

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE BISCUITS:

  • 2½ cups flour, plus more for cutter
  • 3½ tsp. baking powder
  • 1½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed and chilled, plus 2 tbsp. melted
  • 1½ cups buttermilk

FOR THE GRAVY:

  • 2 slices bacon, finely chopped
  • 8 oz. pork breakfast sausage
  • ½ cup flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the biscuits: Heat oven to 425°. Place flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Add butter, and using your fingers, rub mixture together until pea-size crumbles form. Add buttermilk, and stir with a fork until just combined. Transfer to a floured work surface, and gently pat dough into a 6″x4″ rectangle, about 1″ thick. Dip a 3″ round cutter into a bowl of flour, and cut out rounds of dough. Press scraps together, and repeat with remaining dough until you have about 6 rounds. Brush a 9″ cake pan with melted butter, arrange biscuits in pan, and brush the tops with butter. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

2. Make the gravy: Place bacon in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until its fat renders, about 3 minutes. Add sausage and, cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until for 2 minutes. Add milk and cream, and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until gravy is thickened, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar, cayenne, and salt and pepper, and stir until combined.

3. To serve, split biscuits in half, and cover with gravy. Serve with hot sauce, if you like.