Description
Learn how to make delicious, buttery homemade buttermilk biscuits with just 5 simple ingredients. Perfect for beginners, these biscuits are flaky, tender, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ¾ to 1 cup cold buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in ¾ cup of the cold buttermilk. Use a fork or a spatula to gently stir until a shaggy dough begins to form. Do not overmix; add a little more buttermilk if the dough seems too dry.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a rectangle about 1-inch thick. Fold the dough into thirds, like folding a business letter. This process of folding, called lamination, creates flaky layers. Repeat the folding process two more times.
- After the final fold, gently pat the dough to a ½-inch to 1-inch thickness. Use a floured 2.5-inch round biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits. Push the cutter straight down and pull it straight up without twisting, as twisting can seal the edges and prevent the biscuits from rising properly.
- Arrange the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet so their sides are touching. This helps them rise taller as they bake. Gently press any remaining scraps together to cut out more biscuits.
- Brush the tops of the biscuits with a little extra buttermilk, if desired. Bake for 15–17 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- For an extra buttery finish, brush the hot biscuits with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven. Serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure your butter and buttermilk are very cold for the best flaky texture.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to keep the biscuits tender.
- Do not twist the biscuit cutter when cutting to ensure a good rise.
- Bake biscuits with sides touching for taller results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American