Cream Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

For the cream biscuits:
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tablespoon baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons melted butter

For the gravy:
1 pound raw breakfast sausage
2 tablespoons bacon grease
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup flour
1 cup heavy cream
3 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon black pepper
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Make the biscuits: Preheat the oven to 425º F and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in 1 1/4 cups of the heavy cream until incorporated. Slowly stir in the remaining cream until the dough reaches a soft and easily handled consistency.

Turn the dough out onto a flat, lightly floured surface. Knead lightly into a ball, and then press the dough into a circle just about 1″ thick. Using a round biscuit cutter, cut into circles. Press remaining scraps into a flat circle again and repeat until all the dough is used.

Dip the dough rounds into the melted butter, and then place them on the prepared baking sheet, butter side up, 2″ apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes until tops are golden brown. While the biscuits are baking, prepare the gravy.

Make the gravy: Brown the sausage in a large saucepan over medium heat. Set aside. In the same pan over medium heat, melt the butter and bacon grease. Slowly whisk in the flour until is incorporated into a smooth paste. Add the cream while constantly whisking to thoroughly mix. Stir in the milk and pepper.

Continue to heat and stir until gravy thickens and reaches desired consistency. Add the sausage back into the gravy. Salt if needed, but many sausage varieties will be salty enough. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in additional milk. If a spicier gravy is preferred add cayenne pepper.

Remove the biscuits from the oven. Serve gravy over warm biscuits.


Makes 6-8 servings.