Why can't I make biscuits???

At the grand age of 62, I've decided to try my hand at making biscuits. I've tried several recipes I've found on the web, all claiming to produce light/flakey/easy biscuits. They all turned into hockey pucks!!

I've decided the trick must be in the handling. Several times I've read that biscuit dough must be handled gently without too much mixing or handling. So I tried what I thought was gentle handling. More hockey pucks. I've tried mixing in the stand mixer, with that cutter thing used in pie crust making, with a fork & totally by hand. All the same results. All hockey pucks!! We just can't eat them. The chickens enjoy them, but not us.

I wish I knew someone who made biscuits so I could get a hands-on lesson. I'm sure it's something that needs a lot of practice, but if someone could show me exactly what I'm doing wrong, then maybe I could work on that, Any suggestions?

Jo-Ann
Living with canned biscuits.

This message was edited Oct 5, 2013 7:05 AM