The Best Beginner Biscuit: Fluffy, Easy, Perfect Every Time

Baking biscuits doesn’t have to be intimidating. With this beginner-friendly recipe, you’ll achieve light, fluffy, golden biscuits every time. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side to soups and stews, these biscuits are buttery, soft, and utterly irresistible.

The simplicity of this recipe makes it ideal for those just starting out in baking. Few ingredients, minimal equipment, and clear step-by-step instructions guarantee success. Each biscuit is tender on the inside with a lightly crisp exterior, perfect for slathering with butter, jam, or honey.

Ingredients

Biscuit Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, cold
• 1 tsp honey (optional, for slight sweetness)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cut cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Make a well in the center and pour in cold buttermilk (and honey if using). Gently stir until dough just comes together.
5. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and fold 2-3 times to create layers. Pat dough to about 1-inch thickness.
6. Use a biscuit cutter to cut biscuits, pressing straight down without twisting. Place on prepared baking sheet, edges touching for soft sides or apart for crisp edges.
7. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool slightly before serving.

Tips for Perfect Biscuits

• Keep Ingredients Cold: Butter and buttermilk should be cold to create flaky layers.
• Do Not Overwork Dough: Handle gently to avoid dense biscuits.
• Optional Flavor Boost: Add herbs, garlic powder, or shredded cheese to the dough for extra flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

This biscuit recipe is foolproof because it uses simple ingredients and a quick mixing method. Cold butter creates pockets of steam while baking, resulting in a light and fluffy interior. The biscuits are versatile—perfect for breakfast sandwiches, a side with dinner, or just with a bit of butter and jam.

Nutrition (Per Biscuit, Approximate)

• Calories: 180
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
• Vitamin A: 6%
• Vitamin C: 0%
• Calcium: 4%
• Iron: 6%

The Best Beginner Biscuit

Fluffy, easy-to-make biscuits perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a comforting side. Ideal for beginner bakers.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8 biscuits

Course: Breakfast, Side, Snack

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 180

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Biscuit Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter cold, cubed
• 0.75 cup buttermilk cold
• 1 tsp honey optional

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Pastry cutter or fork
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cut cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Make a well in the center and pour in cold buttermilk (and honey if using). Gently stir until dough just comes together.
5. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and fold 2-3 times to create layers. Pat dough to about 1-inch thickness.
6. Use a biscuit cutter to cut biscuits, pressing straight down without twisting. Place on prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Optional: add herbs, cheese, or spices to the dough for variety. Keep butter cold for best results.