4.9 from 180 votes
Flaky Old Fashioned Biscuits
These Flaky Old Fashioned Biscuits are made with cold butter cut into flour, creating tender layers that bake into a light, crumbly texture. The addition of baking powder and sugar balances the dough without overpowering flavor. Quick mixing and minimal handling help maintain flakiness. Shaping the dough about one inch thick and cutting biscuits with a round cutter produces soft, golden biscuits with a mild richness from butter, suited for breakfast or alongside soups and stews.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
8
biscuits
Calories:
232 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup butter or shortening
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons butter melted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Use an ungreased baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Grate 1/3 cup butter (cold) using a cheese grater and stir into the flour mixture OR cut butter into small pieces and use a pastry cutter to cut the fat into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal or sand.
- Gradually pour in 1 cup milk or buttermilk while stirring until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the biscuits tender.
- Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured countertop. Gather it into a ball and press it down until it is about 1 inch thick.
- Use a circle biscuit cutter or the rim of a drinking glass to cut out your biscuits. Collect any dough scraps, press them back together, and continue cutting until all the dough is used. This recipe makes anywhere from 6 large biscuits to 10 smaller.
- Place the cut biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. The size of your biscuits will alter the cooking time slightly so watch closely.
- Remove from the oven and brush the tops with melted butter for added flavor and a glossy finish.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Keep the butter or shortening very cold by chilling in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before using to enhance flakiness.
- Handle the dough as little as possible and work quickly to prevent warming the butter and overdeveloping gluten.
- If dough softens too much during preparation, chill formed biscuits in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes before baking.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1biscuit
Calories
232kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
27g
(9%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Trans Fat
0.4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
32mg
(11%)
Sodium
388mg
(16%)
Potassium
234mg
(5%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
373IU
(7%)
Calcium
110mg
(11%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 biscuits
Amount Per Serving
Calories 232
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1biscuit | |
| Calories | 232kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 32mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 388mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 234mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 373IU | 7% |
| Calcium | 110mg | 11% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.