Flaky Butter Biscuits Recipe

Irresistibly Flaky Butter Biscuits Recipe: Homemade Goodness!

Golden, buttery, and irresistibly crumbly flaky butter biscuits promise to melt in your mouth with each heavenly bite.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this classic recipe that brings comfort and warmth to any meal.

Generations of bakers have perfected the art of creating these delectable treats with simple ingredients and precise techniques.

Crisp edges and soft interiors characterize these beloved biscuits that pair perfectly with jam, gravy, or enjoyed straight from the oven.

Layers of rich, creamy butter create a tender texture that transforms ordinary bread into something extraordinary.

Mastering this recipe elevates your baking skills and delivers a delightful experience that connects you to traditional home cooking.

Every baker deserves to savor the satisfaction of pulling these golden beauties from the oven and sharing them with loved ones.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 218 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need for Butter Biscuits

For Base Components:
  • Flour: Provides the foundational structure for tender, fluffy biscuits with a soft crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the richness of butter.
  • Baking Powder: Creates light, airy texture by helping the dough rise and expand during baking.
  • Sugar (Optional): Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with golden-brown caramelization.
For Fat Component:
  • Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and creates flaky layers through cold, cubed incorporation; choose high-quality, unsalted butter for best results.
For Liquid Binding:
  • Milk: Brings moisture and helps bind ingredients together; whole milk provides the most luxurious texture and richness.

Tools for Making Butter Biscuits

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating the biscuit dough.
  • Pastry Cutter or Fingers: Perfect for breaking cold butter into small pieces and mixing with flour.
  • Whisk: Helps evenly distribute dry ingredients before adding butter.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Baking Sheet: Provides a flat surface for baking golden, fluffy biscuits.
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Prevents biscuits from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Rolling Pin or Hands: Used for gently shaping the dough.
  • Sharp Knife or Biscuit Cutter: Helps cut uniform biscuit shapes for even baking.

Bake Up Butter Biscuits

  • Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 425F and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  • Create Flour Magic

Toss flour, baking powder, salt, and optional sugar into a big mixing bowl and give them a quick whirl with a whisk.

  • Butter Breakdown

Drop in cold butter chunks and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to transform the mixture into a crumbly landscape with tiny butter pockets.

  • Liquid Love

Pour milk slowly into the mixture, stirring gently until the dough just comes together. Remember, less mixing means more tender biscuits.

  • Shape And Bake

Scoop out dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some breathing room between each biscuit. Slide the pan into the hot oven and bake until the edges turn golden and tops look perfectly crisp, about 12-15 minutes.

  • Cool And Serve

Pull out your beautiful biscuits and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve warm with a generous smear of butter or your favorite jam for a seriously delightful treat.

Tips for Perfect Butter Biscuits

  • Cold Butter Technique: Use extremely cold butter and handle it minimally to ensure flaky, tender biscuits with beautiful layered texture.
  • Buttermilk Swap: Replace regular milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor and slightly lighter, more tender biscuit crumb that adds extra richness.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum to create an equally delicious biscuit suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Herb Infusion: Enhance the basic recipe by adding fresh chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives directly into the dry ingredients for an aromatic twist that elevates the classic biscuit.
  • Storage Secrets: Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze unbaked cut dough for up to one month, allowing you to bake fresh biscuits whenever craving strikes.

Serve Butter Biscuits Right

  • Rustic Breakfast Companion: Pair these golden butter biscuits with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a dollop of strawberry jam for a hearty morning feast.
  • Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve warm biscuits alongside clotted cream, honey, or homemade preserves for a luxurious mid-day treat that feels elegantly simple.
  • Savory Sandwich Base: Split the biscuits and stuff with sliced ham, sharp cheddar cheese, or pulled chicken for a quick and satisfying lunch option that transforms the basic biscuit into a filling meal.
  • Dessert Canvas: Drizzle biscuits with melted chocolate, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or top with fresh berries and whipped cream for a quick and delectable sweet finish to any meal.

Store Butter Biscuits Properly

  • Quick Chill Method: Place unbaked biscuits on a tray in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking. This extra chilling helps butter stay cold, creating flakier, more tender results with beautiful layered texture.
  • Freezer Storage Strategy: Wrap raw biscuit dough tightly in plastic wrap or place in freezer bags. Uncooked biscuits can stay frozen up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in refrigerator or bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Freshness Retention Technique: Store completely cooled biscuits in airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For maximum flavor, warm briefly in oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes before serving to restore original crispy exterior and soft interior.
  • Leftover Transformation Hack: Repurpose day-old biscuits into savory bread pudding, croutons, or breadcrumbs. Crumble into stuffing, top casseroles, or use as crunchy coating for chicken or fish for zero food waste and delicious reinvention.
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Flaky Butter Biscuits Recipe

Flaky Butter Biscuits Recipe


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4.8 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Heavenly butter biscuits from Southern kitchens offer a golden, flaky treat perfect for breakfast or dinner. Rich buttermilk and simple ingredients create a comforting classic you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk or buttermilk
  • ½ cup (115 g) cold unsalted butter (cubed)
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 425F (220C) and blanket a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for optimal baking surface.
  2. Dry Mixture Formation: Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking ingredients to ensure uniform distribution.
  3. Butter Integration: Incorporate cold cubed butter into dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or fingertips, breaking down butter until mixture resembles coarse, uneven granules.
  4. Dough Development: Gradually fold in cold milk with gentle strokes, blending until dough coheres without overworking, maintaining a delicate texture.
  5. Dough Shaping: Transfer mixture to a floured surface, tenderly pat into a unified mass approximately 3/4 inch thick, avoiding excessive compression.
  6. Biscuit Molding: Deploy a round cutter to craft precise biscuit shapes, pressing directly down without rotation to preserve clean edges and optimal rising potential.
  7. Baking Configuration: Arrange biscuits on prepared sheet, positioning them adjacently to encourage vertical expansion and soft, connected sides during cooking.
  8. Baking Transformation: Slide baking sheet into preheated oven, allowing biscuits to metamorphose into golden, airy delicacies with crisp exterior and tender crumb within 12-15 minutes.
  9. Final Touch: Extract from oven, pause briefly, and optionally embellish with a brush of melted butter for enhanced flavor and lustrous appearance before serving.

Notes

  • Chill Butter Strategically: Use extremely cold butter cut into small cubes to create flaky, tender biscuit layers that melt beautifully during baking.
  • Handle Dough Minimally: Avoid overworking the mixture, which can develop gluten and result in tough, dense biscuits; gentle mixing preserves delicate texture.
  • Check Oven Temperature Precisely: Ensure accurate 425F heat for optimal rising and golden-brown exterior; an oven thermometer helps guarantee consistent results.
  • Customize Effortlessly: Experiment with add-ins like shredded cheese, herbs, or cracked black pepper to transform basic biscuits into gourmet variations without compromising core technique.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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