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Biscuit

A biscuit is a type of food. The exact meaning varies in different parts of the world. The origin of the word biscuit is from a Middle French word meaning "twice cooked".

American English meaning

In American English "biscuit" means a form of bread similar to a roll made with baking powder or baking soda as a rising agent rather than yeast (rolls made with yeast are often called "yeast rolls" to distinguish them, and biscuits and corn bread are sometimes referred to collectively as "quick bread").

Biscuits are a common feature of Southern US cuisine. They are similar to scones but served as a side dish with a main meal or as a breakfast item. Biscuits are often eaten with butter and jam or jelly or as part of a dish called biscuits and gravy which consists of biscuits covered with small pieces of loose sausage and with a white gravy made from sausage drippings. Biscuits are also eaten covered in pizza sauce and cheese as very small pizzas.

British English meaning

In British English a biscuit is a harder baked product which in North America would be called a "cookie" or "cracker". Many regional varieties, both sweet and savoury exist, often produced in industrial quantities by large food concerns. Sweet biscuits are commonly eaten as a snack and may contain chocolate, fruit, jam or nuts. Savoury biscuits are plainer and commonly eaten with cheese following a meal.

A basic biscuit recipe includes flour, shortening (often lard), baking powder or soda, and milk (buttermilk or sweet milk). Common variations involve cheese or sugar.

Varieties

Common biscuit types include:

Bath Oliver biscuits
Bourbon biscuits
Cream crackers
Digestive biscuits
Lincoln biscuits
Nice biscuits
Shortbread
Water biscuits