Fat Rascals

President Theodore Roosevelt and Mrs. Roosevelt usually began each morning eating their favorite breakfast of hard-boiled eggs and biscuits called Fat Rascals.

The Roosevelt’s enjoyed Fat Rascals for breakfast or as a snack. The biscuits are best served fresh out of the oven with lots of butter.

Ingredients

4 Cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cup butter (3 sticks)

1 1/4 cup milk

1 pound of dried currants ***

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. Cut the butter into chunks and add to the flour mixture. Using a pastry knife combine the butter with the flour, until the mixture has the texture of large breadcrumbs. 

Add the dried currants and stir, then add the milk and mix to form a rough dough – try to knead it as little as possible. If there is a lot of flour left at the bottom, add more milk a tablespoon or so at a time until the dough comes together. If the dough is too wet do the same thing with flour. 

Place dough on lightly floured surface and roll into 1” thickness.

Using a 2” biscuit cutter, cut out the biscuits and place on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tops are lightly browned and the insides are thoroughly done.

Remove from the oven. The biscuits are best served fresh out of the oven. Slice in half and fill with butter or your favorite preserves.

*** I used raisins in the place of currants.