Buttermilk Biscuit Jammers

Folks, before I get to this recipe I want to tell you a little story about a girl and her biscuit. This story began when I was in middle school. You see, every Friday morning I had a standing tradition with my mom (who was my designated driver to school) to swing by Grand Central Bakery in Portland, OR for a vanilla steamed milk and a "jammer" before school. I dreaded school in those days (I was bullied, had high anxiety and undiagnosed dyslexia) so as many of you can imagine (and many of you can probably relate) those days were dark, lonely and full of utter exhaustion. Friday mornings however, were the highlight of my week. In fact, I cherished these mornings so much that I started looking forward to them pretty much after I nibbled that last crumb of biscuit and licked jam off my sticky fingers. These biscuits were special. They offered me comfort, reliability, and a brief "break" from the turmoil of early adolescence and the anxiety of being in a classroom were I felt like the biggest misfit. It's true what they say, food is medicine. And no, I'm not talking about kale and bone broth. I'm talking about the feeling of security. The feeling of being far away from your troubles and worries. The feeling of biting into a warm, buttery, crumbly, sweet (but not too sweet) little biscuit that feels like a trusted old friend. Those Friday mornings were magical and I look back on them with a lot of fondness and a slight sadness at the same time. Fast forward 22 years! Taylor and I live over an hour and a half from that wonderful bakery in Portland, OR. However, we live 15 minutes (YES, 15 minutes!!) from a little corner bakery- Pine Street Bakery. I didn't know much about this bakery before we stepped into the front doors for the first time eight years ago. However, it didn't take long for my jaw to pretty much drop to the ground. Staring right back at me from the front and center of the pastry case was an old and familiar sight. An abundant selection of beautiful JAMMERS!!!! Turns out, the owner of Pine Street Bakery is the daughter of the original Grand Central Bakery owners! I about died. That little 12 year old girl hadn't let the bullies, anxieties, and learning disabilities stop her. She lived in this new town, running her own business with the love of her life and by a miracle beyond anything she can comprehend, the Jammers found there way back to her life. However, now that girl (woman) can enjoy them not as a way to escape, but as a way to slow down, be present, and savor the simple pleasures of a warm, buttery, jam filled biscuit. That girl has also upgraded from a vanilla steamer to a whole milk latte and loves dunking chunks of biscuit into that hot, frothy beverage. Ever since the pandemic we don't leave the farm much. And while we still try and support our favorite local businesses when we can, it's hard during the winter with snowy roads and a new baby whose nap schedule pretty much keeps us homebound most of the time.  I've been craving jammer's recently and after a little digging on the old internet I found the original recipe!  I am so beyond excited to share this treat with you all. It's simple to make local (we used locally sourced flour, butter, buttermilk and homemade jam) and if you're able to source your ingredients with local grains and dairy that's always a bonus, but if not this is an easy, economical treat that anyone can make and enjoy in the comfort of their own home. I did change the recipe up a bit to use what we had on hand (whole wheat pastry flour and honey instead of sugar) but these babies are pretty darn close to the original recipe and the results were divine! I hope you all get a chance to take a break from the chaos of these heavy times and enjoy a warm biscuit and a cup of your favorite cozy beverage. Cheers from a very snowy Tumbleweed Farm.