TILLAMOOK SMOKED CHEDDAR BISCUITS WITH CRISP BACON AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a large electric mixer with paddle attachment, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and white pepper.
• Add cold butter pieces and mix until flour mixture has a coarse meal texture.
• Add the bacon, apricots, and smoked cheddar cheese and mix until well-combined.
• On low speed, gradually add the buttermilk and mix until a dough is formed.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured board and gently knead 8 times.
• Pat or roll out the dough to 1-inch thick, and use a biscuit or cookie cutter to cut the biscuits (re-gathering and re-rolling as necessary to use up the dough).
• Place on a lightly-greased and floured baking sheet, and bake at 425 degrees F on the middle oven rack for 15 minutes and biscuit tops are golden.