Homemade Biscuits

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade biscuits are incredibly easy to make and offer the perfect balance of flakiness and tenderness. With just a few ingredients, you can create biscuits that are far superior to store-bought versions. The texture is light and airy, and the flavor is rich and buttery. Whether you enjoy them plain, with butter and honey, or topped with your favorite gravy, these biscuits are perfect for any occasion and can be made in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes

• 3/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar added)

• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and sugar (if using).

3. Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter. Be sure to work quickly to keep the butter cold.

4. Add the buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the flour and butter mixture, and stir gently with a spoon until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the biscuits tough.

5. Turn out the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it 3-4 times until it comes together. Pat the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle.

6. Cut the biscuits: Using a round biscuit cutter (about 2 inches in diameter), cut out the biscuits by pressing straight down—don’t twist the cutter, as this can prevent the biscuits from rising properly. Place the biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet, close together if you want soft sides or spaced apart for crispier edges.

7. Bake the biscuits: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top and cooked through.

8. Serve: Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with butter, jam, or gravy!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 8 biscuits

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes

• Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes

• Total Time: 20-25 minutes

Variations

• Cheddar Biscuits: Stir in 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese into the dry ingredients for a cheesy twist.

• Herb Biscuits: Add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives to the flour mixture for added flavor.

• Flaky Biscuits: For extra flakiness, fold the dough over onto itself a few times before cutting out the biscuits.

• Sweet Biscuits: Add a tablespoon of honey or sugar to the dough for a slightly sweet biscuit perfect for pairing with fruit or jam.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

• Reheating: Reheat biscuits in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting and baking.

2. Can I freeze the biscuits before baking?

Yes, you can freeze unbaked biscuits. Arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen at 450°F (230°C) for 15-18 minutes.

3. Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, if you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 3/4 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

4. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While butter is preferred for flavor and flakiness, you can substitute margarine in equal amounts. The biscuits may not be as rich, but they will still be delicious.

5. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to add xanthan gum or guar gum to help with texture, and check your gluten-free flour blend for the recommended substitutions.

6. Why are my biscuits dense?

Dense biscuits are often a result of overmixing the dough or not using cold butter. Be sure to mix the dough gently and handle it as little as possible to keep the biscuits light and fluffy.

7. Can I make smaller or larger biscuits?

Yes, you can adjust the size of your biscuit cutter to make smaller or larger biscuits. Just keep in mind that baking time may need to be adjusted based on the size.

8. How do I make sure the biscuits are flaky?

For the flakiest biscuits, keep the butter cold and avoid overmixing the dough. Also, folding the dough over onto itself a few times creates more layers for a flakier result.

9. Can I add herbs or cheese to the biscuit dough?

Absolutely! Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cheese or 1 tablespoon of herbs to the dough for a flavorful variation. Just fold them into the flour mixture before adding the wet ingredients.

10. What can I serve these biscuits with?

These biscuits are perfect with butter, honey, jam, or gravy. They also make a great accompaniment to soups, stews, or fried chicken.

Conclusion

Homemade biscuits are a delicious, comforting treat that’s easy to make and perfect for any meal. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create flaky, buttery biscuits that taste so much better than store-bought versions. Whether you enjoy them warm with butter and honey or as a savory side to your favorite dish, these homemade biscuits are sure to become a staple in your kitchen!