Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe

If you’ve ever craved that perfectly flaky, buttery biscuit that melts in your mouth with every bite, then you’re going to adore this Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe. These biscuits capture the heart of Southern comfort food with their golden crust and tender layers, making them an unbeatable companion to any meal or a delightful snack on their own. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a kitchen newbie, this recipe brings together simple ingredients in a way that transforms your ordinary morning or dinner into something downright special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about this Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe is how straightforward and honest the ingredient list is. Each component plays a distinct role—from creating the flaky layers to adding that signature buttery flavor and golden color.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of your biscuits that provides structure and a tender crumb.
• 1 tablespoon baking powder: This is the leavening agent that gives your biscuits their lovely rise and fluffy texture.
• 1 teaspoon sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the savoriness and enhance browning.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: A crucial flavor booster that ties all elements together.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed: The star ingredient that ensures flaky, melt-in-your-mouth layers.
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (plus more for brushing): Adds moisture and a subtle tang that perfectly complements the butter’s richness.

How to Make Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by heating your oven to 450°F (232°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps your biscuits from sticking and helps them bake evenly to a golden perfection.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Mixing these ingredients first ensures that your biscuits rise consistently and have a balanced flavor.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter

Add the cold, cubed butter to your dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. The bits of cold butter throughout the flour are what create those flaky layers once baked, so don’t overwork it!

Step 4: Add Buttermilk Gently

Pour in the buttermilk gradually while stirring gently until the dough just starts to come together. Handle the dough with care here—overmixing can make the biscuits tough, and we want tender and soft every time.

Step 5: Fold and Layer the Dough

Turn your dough out onto a floured surface and knead lightly 2-3 times. Pat or roll it into a half-inch thick rectangle, then fold it in half and repeat this layering process 2-3 times. This technique helps build layers for that classic flaky biscuit texture.

Step 6: Shape the Biscuits

Roll the dough out to about 3/4-inch thickness, then use a floured biscuit cutter or glass to cut your biscuits. Gather and reroll any scraps as needed—don’t waste a crumb!

Step 7: Arrange and Brush

Place the biscuits on your prepared baking sheet. For biscuits with softer edges, position them close together; if you love crisp edges, space them apart. Brush the tops lightly with buttermilk to encourage a golden, shiny finish while baking.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop those beauties in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until they’re puffed up and golden brown. The scent alone is enough to make you eager for that first bite.

Step 9: Serve Warm and Enjoy

Serve these warm from the oven, slathered with butter, drizzled with honey, or spread with your favorite jam. There’s really no wrong way to enjoy this Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe!

How to Serve Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe

Garnishes

Top your biscuits simply with a pat of creamy butter or a drizzle of wildflower honey for a touch of sweetness. Fresh fruit preserves or a dollop of homemade jam add a bright, fruity note that pairs beautifully with the richness of the biscuit.

Side Dishes

Southern Butter Biscuits are incredibly versatile. Serve alongside hearty breakfasts with eggs and sausage, use them as the base for a chicken biscuit sandwich, or complement a bowl of warm, creamy soup for a comforting dinner. They also shine with classic Southern dishes like fried chicken or collard greens.

Creative Ways to Present

Feeling adventurous? Slice warm biscuits in half and layer with slices of cheddar cheese and crispy bacon for a deluxe biscuit sandwich. Or transform them into mini breakfast sliders topped with scrambled eggs. No matter how you serve them, these biscuits are always the star of the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover biscuits can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days without losing much of their delightful texture. Just be sure to keep them away from moisture to maintain that flaky crumb.

Freezing

If you want to save biscuits for longer, freeze them after baking by wrapping each biscuit individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months, ready to be thawed and enjoyed at a moment’s notice.

Reheating

To reheat, place biscuits in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-12 minutes or until warmed through. For that fresh-baked crispness, you can also heat them briefly in a toaster oven. Avoid microwaving as it can make the texture gummy.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While you can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, buttermilk delivers the tang and tenderness that make these biscuits special. So for the best results, stick to buttermilk if you can.

Why is it important to keep the butter cold?

Cold butter creates pockets of steam as it melts during baking, which produces the flaky layers everyone loves in a Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe. Warm butter won’t have the same effect, resulting in a denser biscuit.

Can I make these biscuits vegan or dairy-free?

To adapt this recipe, try using plant-based butter and a dairy-free milk alternative mixed with an acid like lemon juice. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor may differ slightly, but they can still be delicious!

How can I make my biscuits flakier?

Folding the dough to create layers and handling it gently without overworking are the key tricks. Also, don’t skip using cold butter and buttermilk, and be sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.

Can I use a food processor to make the dough?

Yes, a food processor can speed up mixing the butter into the flour, but be careful not to overblend. Pulse just until you get a coarse crumb texture to ensure the biscuits stay tender and flaky.

Final Thoughts

This Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe is a true celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something comforting, flaky, and utterly delicious. Once you try making these from scratch, you’ll see why they hold a special place in Southern kitchens and hearts. So grab your butter, warm up your oven, and get ready to impress yourself with flaky biscuits that taste like a loving hug on a plate.

Print