A Winter Struggle & Maple Bacon Biscuits

All signs were pointing towards NO for me making these biscuits. First, this...


100% Pure Maple Syrup down the side of my (new) dishwasher. WHATTA MESS.

Then, afraid of over-working the biscuit dough, I didn't knead it quite enough so there were major flour-y sections throughout the biscuits. Then my fire detector went off because apparently my oven isn't meant to be heated to over 400 degrees. ANNOYING. Also, why do my biscuits never really "brown", huh?--that's not really that big of an issue, just a baffled.

Really, I shouldn't have made these. For some reason, though, I bought bacon sometime last week and it was sitting in my fridge just begging...BEGGING to be eaten! And not just eaten, but to be transformed into an ultimate sweet / salty combination. Maple & bacon.

Who doesn't love dunking their bacon in syrup? As a kid, when I got to make the pancakes, I'd sprinkle bacon into mine. Only mine ;-) Oh my breakfast!

The reason I shouldn't have made these is that in 2 weeks now, I will be in the Bahamas with Boyfriend. Eeeeeek!!!! I'm so excited for our first vacation! But since I'll be in a swim suit during the prime eat-food,-form-flubber time of winter, I've been trying my darnest to fight, what I'd like to hope is, human nature. Its most likely just a personal habit.

I've been trying to eat healthily and started Insanity (!) 2 weeks ago in preparation. Normally, I can't get into fitness DVDs, but luckily this one is different...I actually LOVE it---so far. Why? The workouts are relatively short, to instructor is motivating in a kind way, the moves are straight forward, and I'm actually seeing some results!

Back to the biscuits.

Yes, they were ugly. However, they were delicious; comparable to Wonka's chewing gum of meals. This was all the flavors of breakfast, in a few bites. The maple was subtle, though not lacking, and HELLO BACON. I think the bacon grease in the biscuits was a good idea, but its understandable if you can't bring yourself to do it. In the wake of Paula's diabetes announcement, I know you all are reevaluating your daily dedication to the Southern Goddess's meal plans. PUH-LEASE. A little bacon grease will not kill you; alternatively, it may actually complete you.

 For southern sakes! Eat one...and freeze the rest for later :)

Maple Bacon Biscuits

Inspired by Rustic Canyon, ft. in LA Times, 

Biscuits Adapted from Southern Biscuit

Servings: ~10 biscuits

2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon bacon grease
1/2 to 2/3 cup buttermilk (depending on dryness of dough)
Scant 1/4 cup maple syrup, plus 2 tablespoons
About 8 bacon slices

• Cook bacon by heating oven to 400 degrees and baking on a lined baking sheet for about 12 minutes. Remove from sheet and place on a paper towel to cool. Once cooled, chop into 1/4th inch pieces / crumbles.
• Now preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sift flour and sugar into a large bowl; cut in butter and bacon grease with either a cutter / fork / fingers until in pea-sized pieces. Add bacon.
• Pour in buttermilk and syrup and mix until just combined. Dump dough onto a well-floured surface and turnout a few times until the dough holds together. 
• Roll dough to about a half-inch thickness. Using a biscuit cutter / glass/ jar / pizza cutter, cut into about 10 biscuits.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Remove and brush the remaining 2 tablespoons of syrup onto the tops of the biscuits. Return to oven for another minute. Best served still warm, or popped in the toaster.