If you’ve ever craved flaky, buttery comfort food fresh from your own oven, then this Homemade Biscuit Recipe is exactly what you’ve been dreaming of. These golden, tender biscuits come together with surprisingly simple ingredients and just a few quick steps. The moment you bite into one, you’ll experience that perfect balance of a crisp exterior with a soft, airy inside that pairs beautifully with everything from breakfast favorites to hearty dinners. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, this recipe offers that warm, satisfying feeling of homemade goodness that’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Homemade Biscuit Recipe lies in its uncomplicated ingredients list. Each item contributes something vital—from the fluffy texture to the buttery flavor and a hint of sweetness that brings everything together beautifully.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The foundation that provides structure, creating tender biscuits with the perfect crumb.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the salt and enhances browning for a golden crust.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: The leavening agent responsible for the biscuit’s fluffy rise and light texture.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Brings out depth in flavor, helping balance the sweetness and butteriness.
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (chilled and cubed): The star ingredient that creates flakiness; cold butter ensures those delightful layers.
- 8 tablespoons evaporated milk: Adds richness and moisture without weighing the dough down.
- Shortening or vegetable oil: For greasing, making sure your biscuits come off the pan easily with a beautiful crust underneath.
How to Make Homemade Biscuit Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by lightly greasing a baking sheet—that’s where your biscuits will get their golden bottoms. Preheat your oven to a bright 450ºF to ensure a quick bake that produces that coveted crust. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt. This blend of dry ingredients is essential for even distribution of flavors and ensures your biscuits rise perfectly.
Step 2: Cut the Butter into the Dry Ingredients
Now for the fun part: adding those cold, cubed butter pieces. Toss them into your dry mix and use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter in until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Those small butter pockets will melt during baking, creating tender layers and that signature biscuit flakiness.
Step 3: Add the Evaporated Milk
Pour in the evaporated milk slowly, then stir gently with a fork to bring the dough together. Be careful not to overmix; you’re aiming for a soft, cohesive dough rather than a sticky mess. This step is crucial for moisture and richness, making your biscuits perfectly tender inside.
Step 4: Roll Out the Biscuit Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough onto it. Use your hands to gently pat it into a disc, then roll it out just once or twice until it’s about one inch thick. Don’t overwork the dough here; the light touch preserves the butter’s coldness and the biscuit’s tender bite.
Step 5: Cut Out the Biscuits
Using a 2¾-inch cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds. Don’t toss the scraps—gather them, reshape into a disc, and continue cutting out biscuits until no dough remains. This recipe yields about eight satisfying biscuits ready to bake.
Step 6: Bake the Biscuits
Place the biscuit rounds onto your prepared baking sheet, giving them a little breathing room to rise. Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes until the bottoms turn a warm golden brown. That color signals your biscuits are perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Homemade Biscuit Recipe
Garnishes
Warm biscuits are a blank canvas for delicious toppings. A pat of creamy butter melting on top is classic, but don’t shy away from fruit jams, honey, or even a drizzle of maple syrup to add a sweet contrast. Fresh herbs or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can also take your presentation up a notch, bringing a lovely balance that excites your taste buds.
Side Dishes
Biscuits are unbelievably versatile and pair wonderfully with a range of side dishes. Think hearty breakfasts with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, savory dinners alongside roasted chicken and gravy, or even a bowl of warm soup. The homemade quality of this Homemade Biscuit Recipe makes it an ideal companion that can elevate any meal without overpowering it.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests or add a bit of flair? Turn your biscuits into mini sandwiches stuffed with ham, cheese, or fried chicken. You can also slice them horizontally and layer with fresh ingredients for a delightful biscuit sandwich. For brunches, try serving alongside seasonal fruit or dollops of clotted cream for a touch of elegance.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover biscuits, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll keep their softness and flavor if eaten soon, making them perfect for a speedy snack or a quick breakfast pickup.
Freezing
This Homemade Biscuit Recipe freezes beautifully. Place cooled biscuits in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen biscuits can be kept for up to two months, letting you enjoy homemade comfort anytime with minimal effort.
Reheating
To revive your chilled or frozen biscuits, warm them in a preheated 350ºF oven for about 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and slightly crisp again on the outside. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave with a damp paper towel can restore softness in seconds, perfect for busy mornings.
FAQs
Can I substitute the evaporated milk?
Absolutely! If you don’t have evaporated milk on hand, whole milk or buttermilk work wonderfully as alternatives, adding moisture and richness. Adjust slightly if needed to get a soft dough consistency.
Why is my biscuit dough sticky?
Sticky dough usually means there’s too much liquid or the flour wasn’t measured accurately. Try lightly flouring your hands and rolling surface, but avoid adding too much flour, which can make biscuits tough.
How do I get flaky layers in my biscuits?
Cold butter is key! When the butter melts during baking, it creates steam pockets that lift the dough into flaky layers. Handle the dough gently and avoid overmixing to preserve those butter chunks.
Can I use frozen butter for this recipe?
Yes, frozen butter is ideal because it stays cold longer while you work, enhancing the flakiness of your biscuits. Just cut it into smaller cubes and keep it cold until ready to mix in.
What’s the best way to cut out biscuits?
Use a sharp, round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter, pressing straight down without twisting. Twisting can seal the edges and prevent a good rise. If you don’t have a cutter, the rim of a drinking glass works just fine!
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Homemade Biscuit Recipe, it’s hard to go back to store-bought ones. The ease of preparation combined with that warm, buttery flavor makes these biscuits a true kitchen treasure. Whether for a quick breakfast or a comforting dinner side, baking these biscuits will bring a smile to your table and joy to your heart. I can’t wait for you to share them with friends and family—they’ll be asking for the recipe in no time!
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Homemade Biscuit Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits
Description
An easy and quick homemade biscuit recipe perfect for last-minute preparations. These fluffy, golden biscuits are made with simple pantry ingredients and baked to perfection, making them an ideal accompaniment to any dinner or breakfast.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (chilled and cut into small cubes)
- 8 tablespoons evaporated milk
For Greasing
- Shortening or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients: Lightly grease a baking sheet with shortening or vegetable oil and preheat your oven to 450ºF. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.
- Cut the butter into the dry ingredients: Add the chilled, cubed butter into the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles a coarse meal with pea-sized bits of butter visible.
- Add the evaporated milk: Pour 8 tablespoons of evaporated milk into the flour and butter mixture. Mix gently with a fork until the dough comes together but is not overworked.
- Roll out the biscuit dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a disc with your hands. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough lightly one or two times until it is approximately 1 inch thick.
- Cut out the biscuits: Using a 2¾-inch cookie cutter, press firmly into the dough to cut out rounds. Gather the excess dough, roll it out again to 1 inch thickness, and continue cutting biscuits until all the dough is used. This yields about 8 biscuits.
- Bake the biscuits: Arrange the cut biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are spaced evenly. Place the sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the bottoms are golden brown.
- To serve: Serve the biscuits warm with butter, jam, or your favorite accompaniment. Enjoy their tender, flaky texture fresh from the oven.
Notes
- Use cold butter to ensure a flaky biscuit texture.
- Do not overmix the dough, as this can make the biscuits tough.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute evaporated milk with buttermilk.
- Make sure to preheat the oven properly for best rising results.
- Baking sheets can be lined with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
