Description
These Southern Butter Biscuits are classic, flaky, and buttery pastries perfect for breakfast or as a side to any meal. Made with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, cold butter, and tangy buttermilk, they are layered for a tender, flaky texture and baked to golden perfection. Serve warm with butter, honey, or jam for a comforting Southern treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dried Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (plus more for brushing)
Fats
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to combine evenly the leavening and seasoning agents.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mixture and work it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the texture resembles coarse crumbs, which will create the flakiness in the biscuits.
- Add Buttermilk: Gradually pour in the buttermilk, stirring gently until the dough just begins to come together. Be careful not to overmix to keep the biscuits tender.
- Knead and Layer Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead it 2-3 times. Then pat or roll the dough into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle. Fold it in half and repeat this folding 2-3 times to create layers for flakiness.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the layered dough out to a 3/4-inch thickness and cut out biscuits using a floured cutter or glass. Reroll any scraps and cut until all dough is used.
- Arrange Biscuits: Place the cut biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. For soft edges, place them close together; if you prefer crispier edges, space them apart.
- Brush and Bake: Brush the tops of the biscuits with extra buttermilk to promote a golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top.
- Serve Warm: Remove biscuits from the oven and serve warm with butter, honey, or jam as desired to enjoy their full flavor and softness.
Notes
- Use cold butter to ensure the biscuits develop flaky layers.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the biscuits tender.
- Folding the dough multiple times creates those classic flaky layers.
- Adjust biscuit spacing on the baking sheet based on whether you prefer soft or crisp edges.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
