Butter Biscuits Recipe

Soft & Buttery Homemade Biscuits Recipe for Cozy Mornings

Crafting delectable butter biscuits brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise a delightful treat waiting to surprise you.

Memories of grandma’s warm kitchen drift through the air as these golden delights take shape.

Simple ingredients dance together, creating magic with minimal effort.

Southern charm meets culinary comfort in this straightforward recipe.

Buttery layers promise to melt in your mouth, tempting even the most discerning palate.

Baking these biscuits will instantly elevate your breakfast or afternoon tea experience.

You’ll find yourself reaching for seconds before the first batch cools completely.

Why Butter Biscuits Are a Kitchen Staple

  • Quick Butter Biscuits Perfect for Any Moment
  • Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can have warm, flaky biscuits ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
  • Uses basic pantry staples like flour, butter, and milk, making it an economical recipe that delivers maximum flavor without breaking the bank.
  • These buttery biscuits complement every meal- from breakfast to dinner- and work brilliantly as standalone snacks or alongside soups, stews, and main courses.
  • Foolproof technique requires no special skills, perfect for home cooks at any experience level who want delicious homemade results without complicated techniques.

Ingredients That Make the Best Butter Biscuits

Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: The base of the biscuits, providing structure and texture. All-purpose flour works best for a classic biscuit.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the biscuits rise and become light and fluffy. Fresh baking powder ensures maximum lift.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the biscuits. Use fine table salt for even distribution.
  • Sugar (Optional): Adds a subtle sweetness if desired. White granulated sugar is typical.
Fat Ingredient:
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates flaky layers. Cold, unsalted butter is essential for the best texture. European-style butter can offer extra richness.
Liquid Ingredient:
  • Milk: Brings the dough together and adds moisture. Whole milk creates the most tender biscuits. Can substitute with buttermilk for a tangier flavor.

Bake These Biscuits Flaky and Soft

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 425F (220C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Dry Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, grab your whisk and blend together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Sugar (optional but delicious)

Make sure everything is evenly combined with no lumpy surprises.

Step 3: Work the Butter Magic

Toss in cold, cubed butter into your dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, gently break down the butter until the mixture looks like rough, sandy crumbs with tiny butter bits scattered throughout.

Step 4: Bring the Dough Together

Pour in milk slowly, stirring carefully. Mix just until the dough starts to form. Stop as soon as everything looks cohesive- overworking leads to tough biscuits.

Step 5: Shape the Biscuits

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat or roll the dough until it’s about an inch thick. Use a round cutter to create perfect circular biscuits.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the biscuits on your prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re almost touching. This helps them rise beautifully. Slide the sheet into the preheated oven.

Step 7: Watch and Wait

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown. The edges should look crisp and inviting.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let the biscuits cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with butter, jam, or your favorite spread.

Tips for Golden Edges and Buttery Layers

  • Keep Butter Cold: Use chilled butter straight from the refrigerator to create flaky, tender biscuits with distinct layers that melt in your mouth.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Handle the dough minimally and mix just until ingredients combine to prevent tough, dense biscuits with a rubbery texture.
  • Customize Flavors: Experiment by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme, shredded cheese, or cracked black pepper to enhance the basic butter biscuit recipe.
  • Perfect Shaping Trick: Use a sharp biscuit cutter and press straight down without twisting to ensure even rising and a beautiful, tall biscuit shape.
  • Storage Wisdom: Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to a month for longer preservation.

How to Store Butter Biscuits for Later

  • Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture buildup.
  • Wrap individual biscuits tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month, preserving their delicious texture and flavor.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed biscuits at 350F for 5-7 minutes, restoring their crispy exterior and soft interior.
  • Heat biscuits for 10-15 seconds, watching carefully to prevent becoming rubbery or dry.

What Matches Well with Butter Biscuits

  • Spread homemade honey butter on warm biscuits for a luxurious, sweet twist that melts perfectly into the flaky layers.
  • Select a light chamomile or lavender tea to balance the richness of the butter biscuits, providing a delicate herbal backdrop.
  • Serve strawberry or raspberry jam alongside the biscuits, offering a bright, tangy contrast to the buttery, savory base.
  • Serve with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon to transform these biscuits into a hearty morning meal that satisfies every craving.

Flavor Variations for Classic Butter Biscuits

  • Whole Wheat Wellness: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutty, hearty flavor and added fiber. Perfect for health-conscious bakers seeking a more nutritious biscuit.
  • Gluten-Free Goodness: Replace standard flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to create a celiac-friendly version. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for best results.
  • Herb-Infused Biscuits: Mix in dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives into the dry ingredients for a savory upgrade. Adds an aromatic touch that complements many main dishes.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of regular milk, and substitute cold coconut oil or vegan butter for traditional butter. Great option for those with dairy restrictions or following a plant-based diet.

Butter Biscuit FAQs Made Simple

  • Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While you can substitute margarine, butter provides the best flavor and texture for these biscuits. Margarine might change the taste and make the biscuits less flaky.

  • How do I know when the butter is the right consistency?

The butter should be cold and cut into small cubes. When mixed with flour, it should look like coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces. This helps create those signature flaky layers.

  • What if my dough is too dry or too wet?

If the dough seems dry, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too wet, sprinkle a bit more flour until it comes together. The key is to mix just until the dough forms.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

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Butter Biscuits Recipe

Butter Biscuits Recipe


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4.7 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Homemade butter biscuits bring Southern comfort straight to kitchen counters with golden, flaky perfection. Crisp edges and tender centers make these classic treats irresistible for morning breakfasts or evening snacks you’ll crave repeatedly.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Fat Ingredient:

  • ½ cup (115 grams) cold unsalted butter (cubed)

Liquid Ingredient:

  • ¾ cup (180 milliliters) whole milk or buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 425F (220C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for optimal baking surface.
  2. Create a dry ingredient foundation by combining flour, baking powder, salt, and optional sugar in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring thorough integration through gentle whisking.
  3. Transform the butter into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or fingertips, breaking down cold cubed butter until the texture resembles coarse, uneven granules with small butter chunks dispersed throughout.
  4. Introduce cold milk incrementally, stirring with delicate movements to encourage dough cohesion without aggressive manipulation, which could compromise the biscuits’ tender structure.
  5. Transfer the loosely gathered dough onto a lightly floured surface, gently patting it into a cohesive mass approximately 3/4 inch thick without excessive handling or compression.
  6. Utilize a round cutter to precisely shape biscuits, pressing straight down without twisting to maintain clean, even edges that promote proper rising.
  7. Arrange the formed biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them slightly touching to encourage vertical growth and soft sides during baking.
  8. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven, allowing the biscuits to transform into golden, fluffy delicacies with crisp exterior and tender interior within 12-15 minutes.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest briefly, optionally brushing warm biscuits with melted butter for enhanced flavor and glossy appearance before serving.

Notes

  • Chill butter beforehand for extra flakiness, ensuring it’s cold and cubed helps create those delightful layered textures.
  • Use full-fat buttermilk instead of regular milk for richer, tangier biscuits with incredible tenderness.
  • Avoid overworking the dough by gently folding and pressing to maintain soft, light biscuit consistency.
  • For gluten-free options, swap all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better binding.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 218
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 140 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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