Cracking the Code: Loveless Cafe’s Famous Biscuits

1. Mix yeast, warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar; rest in small bowl while you compile the rest of the ingredients.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and soda, tartar, salt and remaining sugar.

3. Add oil and milk, then the yeast mixture.

4. Stir to combine. Dough will be shaggy; that’s okay. Cover and let rest 30-40 minutes to rise. (If your house isn’t real warm, put your bowl in a warm water bath with the water halfway up the bowl. Set it in your kitchen sink and cover the top of the bowl with a plate. It’s like your own little proofing area.)

5. Next, dump the risen dough out onto a floured surface (dusted with about 1/4 cup flour). Roll dough around gently; it will pick up some of the flour and get less shaggy. Knead (again, gently) to form a smooth surface and pat out to about 3/4″ thick.

6. Cut out your biscuits and set on a greased sheet or, my favorite, a Silpat. Melt a couple tablespoons of margarine or butter in a coffee cup in your microwave and brush the tops of the biscuits.

7. Now, cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and set to rest in a warm area. Turn your oven on 400ºF to preheat for 20 minutes while your biscuits rest. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the tops start to get golden edges. Remove from the oven and brush with margarine again. Eat. But not all of them at once, you’ll get a tummy ache. Srsly.