Beaten Biscuits

Beaten biscuits, which derive their name after the method of preparation, are small, flat, and round biscuits that were invented in the 19th century. The dough made from flour, lard, salt, sugar, and water is beaten with a hard object, then folded, allowing the dough to capture the air, which helps with rising. These biscuits are one of the main ingredients in the popular Southern canapé ham biscuits; horizontally sliced, spread with jelly, butter, and mustard, then filled with pieces of country ham.