Until I moved to the south, I don’t think I really had a genuinely delicious biscuit that made me proclaim, ‘I love biscuits!’ But after being to a couple real southern restaurants, I learned what a real biscuit was supposed to taste like…fluffy, buttery, light and airy, and most of all delicious. I have become obsessed with fresh biscuits, and I love making them at home. If you have made biscuits at home, you probably know there are a ton of different ways to make them, and most yield different types of results…all delicious! We love using Lifeway Kefir at our house, so I wanted to try out making biscuits using Kefir, instead of buttermilk. Kefir can be substituted in pretty much any recipe where it calls for buttermilk. Lifeway Kefir contains 12 live and active probiotic cultures that support the immune system and balance digestive health. It is naturally gluten free, 99% lactose free, contains no artificial sweeteners and is rich in calcium.
Lifeway also only uses milk that comes from cows that are not treated with pesticides, antibiotics, or synthetic growth hormones – the cows are grass fed and GMO free. There are so many health benefits in using Lifeway Kefir, and like I said, it’s so easy to use it as a replacement in recipes!
For the first part of this recipe you need to mix the flour and kefir, and let it sit basically over night (at least 12 hours) in the fridge. I suggest doing it before you go to bed, and then you are ready to go in the morning. Once you get baking in the morning, it takes about 20 minutes to whip this entire breakfast up! So delicious and satisfying (see printable recipe at bottom of post).
Take the bowl from the fridge with the flour/kefir and dump it into a food processor. Then add in 6 tablespoons of cut up cold butter. Pulse the food processor about 5 times, and once the mixture resembles a crumble-y texture, stop. You do not want to over mix this! Then, lay out the dough onto a lightly floured board, and press it together (the crumbles should come together easily), kneading it a bit. Press the dough about an inch thick, and then use a biscuit cutter (or a small glass top like I do) to cut out the biscuit rounds.
Place the biscuits on parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake at 450 for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. You don’t want to overcook!
In the meantime you can make the summer berry compote. In a small saucepan over low heat, add 2 TBS butter and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar. Let the butter melt and stir to dissolve the sugar. Then add 3/4 cup chopped strawberries (tops removed), and 3/4 cup blueberries. Stir gently and increase heat to medium-low. Let simmer for about 6-8 minutes (while biscuits are cooking), stirring occasionally. Once the biscuits are ready, remove from oven and break each biscuit in half, placing on a plate. Spoon some of the compote on top of the biscuits and serve!
Enjoy!
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup Lifeway Plain Kefir
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons butter (very cold)
- 2 TBS butter
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup chopped strawberries
- 3/4 cup blueberries
- 1. 12 to 24 hours prior to making biscuits, mix the flour and kefir together. Cover and place in fridge.
- 2. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- 3. Cut the butter into small chunks and then work it into the flour/kefir mixture along with the baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Do not over-mix. I used my food processor for this step, pulsing 5 times or so).
- 4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board. Gently pat the dough to 1 inch thick.
- 5. Use a round cutter to cut out the biscuits and place onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
- 6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
- 1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add butter and brown sugar. Let the butter melt and stir to dissolve the sugar.
- 2. Add the strawberries and blueberries and stir gently-increase heat to medium-low. Let simmer for about 6-8 minutes (while biscuits are cooking), stirring occasionally.
- Once biscuits are done baking, remove from oven. Let cool a few minutes, then break each biscuit in half, and spoon compote over each side of the biscuit. Enjoy!
- You can use other berries such as blackberries or raspberries as well!
Thanks for visiting!
– Allyson
I love biscuits! Adding fruit on top is so genius for summer.
Thanks, Shannah! I really love it because the summer berries are so fresh and delicious right now!
Oh how yummy are these! I love the idea of adding fruit to the biscuits for a refreshing twist. These look so good!
That sounds absolutely wonderful!! I would love to make this sometime soon!!
I’m on a health kick and have been trying to work Kefir into my diet. This recipe with it looks awesome!
I have never had Kefir before, sounds yummy and a nice milk substitute!
Those look so delicious! We’ve used Kefir a bit and have been trying to find more ways to utilize it.
These sound delicious, and the fresh fruit topping makes it a great summer dessert.
I have a thing for blueberries and strawberries together! But, I have never had them on a biscuit before. Looks fantastic. Can’t wait to try!
ok I been trying to incorporate more kefir in our diet and other thna smoothies had no clue thanks for the recipe I really need to try
That looks so yummy – and healthy! Will definitely be making these!
This looks so good. What a perfect breakfast or dessert with those fresh berries and biscuits…and better for you too!
I have never thought about cooking with Kefir… how smart… love this recipe. Thanks for sharing
I’d say your experiment was a success. This looks really good!
Well I would have to have blackberries with this. Great idea .
You know I have yet to try Kefir, I am all about getting in my probiotics too, will have to give it a try.
We love Kefir and your so right the south is crazy big on biscuits. Yours look delicious. Thank you for sharing.
That recipe looks amazing. Must try making these someday!
That looks so delicious. I need to get some Kefir into my diet.
love from scratch buttermilk biscuits! They make a mean shortcake too.
We love kefir! Can’t wait to try this recipe now!
Kefir is the perfect buttermilk substitute!! these look SOOO good. Pinned and can’t wait to try!!