Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe

If you love the comforting flavor of home baking, this Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe will rock your world. Fluffy, tender, and golden, these biscuits are loaded with buttery aroma, have a pillowy inside, and feature that lightly crisped top we all crave. With just a few pantry staples and a handful of simple steps, you’ll be busy patting dough and swooning as the scent fills your kitchen—this is the biscuit you’ll reach for on cozy mornings, special brunches, and last-minute dinners alike!

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s nothing fancy here—just a tried-and-true lineup of ingredients that transform into something truly special. Each star in this Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe brings flavor, lift, or just the right bite. Let’s walk through how each element builds a perfect biscuit foundation.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and gives the biscuits their signature soft crumb.
• Baking powder: The magic behind the rise—go big here for fluffy, tall biscuits.
• Salt: Just enough to make all the flavors pop.
• Butter (room temperature): For ultimate flakiness and rich, buttery flavor; room temperature helps it blend into the dry ingredients perfectly.
• Milk: Brings the dough together and keeps the biscuits tender and moist.
• Butter (melted): A brush of melted butter right out of the oven adds irresistible shine and flavor.
• Large egg: Adds richness and a subtle golden hue to the tops.
• Milk (for egg wash): Helps the tops brown beautifully for bakery-worthy biscuits.

How to Make Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to a bubbling 425 degrees F. That high heat is essential for giving your biscuits an instant burst of rise, guaranteeing those irresistible layers and golden tops.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients and Butter

In a medium bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until everything is evenly dispersed. Add the room temperature butter. Here’s where your hands (or a fork, or a pastry blender) get involved: cut the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse, slightly sandy crumbs. These little buttery pockets are what make the Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe so flakey and soft.

Step 3: Add Milk and Rest the Dough

Make a small well in your crumbly mixture and pour all the milk in at once. Stir gently—think just enough mixing so everything comes together. You’ll have a shaggy dough that’s a bit sticky. Let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes; this moment lets the flour absorb the milk, making kneading easier and biscuits more tender.

Step 4: Knead and Roll Out the Dough

Lightly dust your counter with flour, then turn out the dough. Gently knead it by hand for about 30 seconds, just until it holds together and feels smooth. Roll the dough out with a rolling pin to about 3/4-inch thickness. Try not to overwork it—this is the golden rule for keep-them-tender biscuits!

Step 5: Cut Out Biscuit Shapes

Use a 3- or 4-inch biscuit cutter, or improvise with the rim of a cup or even a sharp knife for square biscuits. Push straight down (don’t twist!) for the best rise, and space the biscuits at least an inch apart on a lightly greased baking sheet—this ensures crispy edges all around.

Step 6: Make the Thumbprint Indent

Gently use your thumb to make a small indent on the top of each biscuit. It’s a simple trick that helps them rise evenly and look absolutely irresistible once baked.

Step 7: Brush with Egg Wash

Beat one large egg with a little milk in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, coat the tops of your biscuits. This gives each one a golden, glossy finish that brings a bakery touch right to your kitchen.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide your tray into the preheated oven and bake for 12–14 minutes. Watch for those golden tops—a telltale sign they’re ready. If your oven’s heat is intense, check them a minute early; you want them deeply golden but not overdone.

Step 9: Brush with Melted Butter and Serve

Pull your hot biscuits from the oven, and immediately brush their tops with that luscious melted butter. This final touch adds flavor, shine, and that can’t-resist aroma. Enjoy immediately—and trust me, there will be no leftovers!

How to Serve Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe

Garnishes

You can make these biscuits even more delightful by sprinkling on some chopped chives, a dash of flaky sea salt, or a hint of cracked black pepper right after the butter brush. For a southern twist, drizzle with a bit of honey or add a slather of jam—simple but so decadent!

Side Dishes

This Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe is a true chameleon: they’re wonderful alongside scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, brilliant with soup or chili for lunch, and perfect with roast chicken or stew for dinner. Their fluffy texture lets them soak up sauces and gravies like a dream.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your biscuits into mini breakfast sandwiches with eggs and cheese, split them for strawberry shortcakes, or serve them in a breadbasket with an array of sweet and savory spreads. You can even cut them smaller for appetizer sliders at parties. The sky’s the limit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have biscuits left (cue applause), let them cool completely, then tuck them into an airtight container. They’ll stay soft on your counter for up to two days, or for up to a week in the fridge.

Freezing

This Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe is freezer-friendly! Once cool, wrap each biscuit tightly in plastic or foil, then gather them in a zip-top bag. They’ll keep their best in the freezer for up to two months and pull out perfectly for a lazy weekend brunch or emergency comfort food craving.

Reheating

To bring day-old or frozen biscuits back to their “just-baked” glory, pop them in a 350-degree oven (straight from the freezer is fine) for 8–10 minutes. A quick zap in the microwave works in a pinch, but a few minutes in the oven will restore their crusty exterior and tender crumb.

FAQs

Can I use a plant-based milk or butter substitute?

Absolutely! Swap in your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk and dairy-free butter. The texture might vary slightly, but you’ll still enjoy soft, fluffy biscuits with plenty of flavor.

Why did my biscuits come out flat?

Usually, this means your baking powder wasn’t fresh enough or the dough was overworked. Make sure your leavening is fresh, and mix/knead only until just combined for the best rise.

Can I add cheese or herbs to the recipe?

Yes! The Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe is a dream for add-ins—just fold in a handful of shredded cheese, chopped herbs, or even diced jalapeños before you add the milk. The biscuits will have extra burst of flavor in every bite.

What if I don’t have a biscuit cutter?

No problem! Use a sharp knife to cut squares, or grab a drinking glass or jar rim to press out circles. The key is to press straight down for a clean cut and full rise.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough up to the point before baking, then cover and refrigerate for up to one day. Just cut and bake straight from the fridge—no need to bring to room temperature.

Final Thoughts

If you want a go-to treat that’s unbeatable in both taste and simplicity, this Baking Powder Biscuits Recipe is truly the one to try. Every batch is a little celebration, ready to brighten any meal or snack. So grab your bowl and oven mitt—your kitchen is about to smell amazing and your taste buds will thank you!

Print