Tender, flaky, and golden brown, these Southern Buttermilk Biscuits are a true breakfast and dinner-table staple. Cold butter, tangy buttermilk, and just the right touch of salt create layers that rise beautifully and melt in your mouth. Whether served with gravy, honey, jam, or alongside a big Southern meal, these biscuits deliver homemade comfort in every bite.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 10–12 biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, extra cold (cut into small cubes)
- ¾ to 1 cup cold buttermilk (start with ¾ cup, add more as needed)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing tops)
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
This ensures the biscuits rise evenly.
3. Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture.
Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter throughout.
Cold butter = flaky layers.
4. Add the Buttermilk
Pour in ¾ cup cold buttermilk and stir gently just until the dough comes together.
If it seems dry, add an additional splash of buttermilk.
Do not overmix — this keeps your biscuits tender.
5. Shape the Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Gently pat it into a rectangle about ½-inch thick.
Fold the dough into thirds (like a letter).
This creates layers.
Pat it back down and repeat the fold one more time.
Finally, pat the dough to 1-inch thickness.
6. Cut the Biscuits
Use a biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter dipped in flour.
Cut biscuits straight down — don’t twist — to help them rise tall.
Gather the scraps gently and cut a few more.
Place biscuits close together on the baking sheet for softer sides, or spaced apart for crispier edges.
7. Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
8. Brush & Serve
Brush hot biscuits with melted butter.
Serve warm with:
- Honey
- Jam or jelly
- Gravy
- Butter
- Fried chicken
- Or alongside any Southern meal
Chef’s Tips
- Keep ingredients cold for maximum flakiness.
- Folding the dough creates perfect buttery layers.
- For extra tall biscuits, chill the cut dough for 10 minutes before baking.
- Substitute 2 tbsp of butter with chilled shortening for a classic old-fashioned texture.
Variations
- Cheddar Biscuits: Add ½ cup shredded cheddar and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Sweet Biscuits: Add 2 tablespoons sugar and serve with strawberries and cream.
- Black Pepper Biscuits: Add 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper to the flour mixture.