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5.0 from 21 votes

How to Make Biscuits

This is the ultimate guide for how to make biscuits from scratch; and is likely the fastest, easiest, and most delicious homemade biscuit recipe ever! My homemade biscuit recipe is done in just 20 minutes (using just 5 baking staples and with no special equipment required).

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 12 biscuits
Calories: 272 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (15 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 cups heavy cream plus more as needed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 
  2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Stir in cream until combined, about 30 seconds. Turn out dough onto lightly floured counter, gather into ball, and knead briefly until smooth, about 30 seconds. If dough is too crumbly, add an additional teaspoon of heavy cream to get smooth dough. Repeat if necessary.
  3. Shape dough into 3/4-inch-thick round. Dip 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter in flour and cut out biscuits, recombining scraps as needed to yield 12 biscuits. Place rounds on prepared baking sheet. (Baking sheet with biscuits can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 hours.)
  4. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through baking. Transfer to wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. 

Notes

  • Baking powder: Homemade Biscuits need baking powder (or some sort of leavening agent) in order to rise. If you’ve tried baking biscuits or homemade bread and have not been very happy with the outcome, it may be because your baking powder is past its prime. The shelf life is between 6 months to a year, and it should be stored in a cool dry place. To test your baking powder, add about 1 tablespoon to a small bowl, then pour on boiling water. If the baking powder bubbles, it's still activated. Otherwise, it's time to invest in a new jar.
  • Yield: This recipe makes 12 flaky, fluffy homemade biscuits.
  • Storage: Store homemade biscuits in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
  • Make ahead: Complete step 3, then place the biscuits on a baking sheet. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
  • Freezer: Freeze the biscuit dough raw after slicing and completing step 3 in the recipe. Plan ahead when you're ready to bake; you'll just need to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before moving on to step 4.
  • Bonus biscuit intel: To shave off 5 minutes and 2 more ingredients, head over to my recipe for 3-Ingredient Homemade Biscuits, which calls for self-rising flour, cold butter, and milk.
  • Shine on: If you prefer your biscuits bakery-like sheen, coat them in an egg wash prior to baking. Whisk together 1 egg yolk and a splash of cream, then brush this mixture on top of the raw biscuits.
  • Serve it: Once baked, slice these biscuits in half and serve them in sweet (Strawberry Shortcake) or savory (Biscuits and Gravy) dishes, or as a side dish with brunch (slathered with Orange Marmalade) or dinner (I adore them alongside a cozy bowl of Beef Stew).

Nutrition Information

Serving 1biscuit Calories 272kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Cholesterol 61mg (20%) Sodium 269mg (11%) Potassium 67mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 656IU (13%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 93mg (9%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12biscuits

Amount Per Serving

Calories 272

% Daily Value*

Serving 1biscuit
Calories 272kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 61mg 20%
Sodium 269mg 11%
Potassium 67mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 656IU 13%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 93mg 9%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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