Biscuit Recipe from Joy of Cooking That’s Buttery and Flaky

Joy of Cooking’s biscuit delivers a mouthwatering symphony of buttery simplicity that turns ordinary ingredients into culinary magic.

Generations have swooned over these golden treasures, each bite whispering stories of comfort and home.

Crumbly yet tender, these biscuits dance with a delicate texture that caresses your palate.

Effortless to craft, they transform your kitchen into a fragrant haven of warmth and nostalgia.

Crisp edges give way to a pillowy interior that melts faster than winter snow.

Every baker, from novice to expert, can master this recipe with surprising ease.

These heavenly discs of deliciousness will make your taste buds sing and your heart soar with pure, unadulterated joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 190 kcal

Servings: 8

What You Need to Make Homemade Biscuits

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Baking Powder: Fresh baking powder ensures maximum rise and fluffy biscuits.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for even distribution and balanced seasoning.
• Sugar: Optional sweet touch that enhances golden brown exterior.

• Buttermilk: Select full-fat buttermilk for tangy flavor and tender crumb.
• Egg: Fresh large eggs provide structure and richness to biscuit dough.
• Heavy Cream, Buttermilk: Perfect for brushing tops to create stunning golden shine.

• Unsalted Butter: Cold butter straight from refrigerator creates flaky layers.

Tools Required for Classic Biscuit Recipes

• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining dry ingredients and creating dough.
• Sifter or whisk: Tool for blending and aerating dry ingredients smoothly.
• Pastry blender or fingertips: Helps break cold butter into small, even crumbs.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for flour, salt, sugar, and other ingredients.
• 3-inch round cookie cutter: Creates uniform biscuit shapes with clean edges.
• Baking sheet: Flat pan for baking biscuits evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire rack: Allows biscuits to cool without becoming soggy.
• Pastry brush: Helps apply buttermilk or cream to biscuit tops for golden finish.
• Toothpick: Checks biscuit doneness by testing center.

How to Bake Fluffy Homemade Biscuits

Craft Fluffy Southern Biscuits

• Set Up Your Baking Station

Warm your oven to a toasty 400°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Create Magical Dry Mix

Blend flour, baking powder, salt, and a touch of sugar in a spacious bowl. Whisk until everything looks perfectly combined and light.

• Transform Butter Into Crumbs

Grab cold butter and break it into tiny pieces throughout the dry ingredients. Use your fingertips to work the butter until the mixture looks like rough, sandy texture.

• Bring Dough To Life

Pour in cold buttermilk and a single beaten egg. Gently stir until a soft, slightly messy dough emerges. Don’t overwork the mixture – keep it relaxed and tender.

• Shape And Cut Biscuit Rounds

Dust your counter with flour. Softly knead the dough a few times, then pat it down to a thick, even layer. Use a round cutter to create perfect biscuit shapes with crisp edges.

• Bake To Golden Perfection

Arrange biscuit rounds on the prepared sheet. Brush the tops with a splash of buttermilk for extra shine. Slide into the oven and bake until they turn a beautiful golden brown, about 15-17 minutes.

• Serve With Love

Pull out your gorgeous biscuits and let them rest briefly. Serve warm with a dollop of butter or drizzle of honey for a mouthwatering treat that’ll make everyone smile.

Biscuit Baking Tips and Flavor Additions

Mix in shredded cheese, herbs, or crumbled bacon to create unique flavor profiles that complement your meal perfectly.

Handle dough gently and minimally to keep biscuits tender. Overworking develops gluten, resulting in tough, dense biscuits that lack delicate flakiness.

Replace buttermilk with yogurt, sour cream, or non-dairy milk for different taste experiences. Each substitution brings subtle changes in richness and tang.

Wrap cooled biscuits tightly in plastic wrap or store in airtight container. Reheat briefly in oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore fresh-baked texture and warmth.

Serving Suggestions for Warm Biscuits

• Pair with Southern Comfort: Serve these fluffy biscuits alongside classic Southern dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, or country ham for an authentic down-home meal experience.
• Create Breakfast Bliss: Split warm biscuits and layer with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or creamy sausage gravy for a hearty morning feast that'll jumpstart your day.
• Craft Sweet Treat Variations: Drizzle biscuits with honey, spread with homemade jam, or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for a delightful dessert-like twist that transforms these baked beauties.
• Build Sandwich Magic: Use these tender biscuits as a base for savory sandwiches filled with pulled pork, chicken salad, or country-style ham for a delicious lunch option.

How to Store and Reheat Biscuits Properly

• Maximize Freshness: Store baked biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain soft texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Unbaked biscuit dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic film, then place in freezer bag. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking.
• Revive Leftover Biscuits: Warm slightly stale biscuits in oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispy exterior and soft interior. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture.
• Quick Meal Prep: Prepare dry ingredient mix ahead of time and store in sealed container for up to 2 weeks. Add wet ingredients when ready to bake for speedy breakfast or side dish.

Flaky Joy Of Cooking Biscuit Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade biscuit lovers will adore this classic Joy of Cooking biscuit recipe, highlighting simple ingredients and traditional Southern techniques. Warm, flaky results emerge from careful mixing and precise baking, promising delightful comfort you can savor with butter or jam.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups (325 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
• ¾ cup (180 ml/g) cold milk (whole or 2% reduced fat)
• 1 large cold egg (50 g), lightly beaten
• 2 ½ tsps (10 g) baking powder
• ½ tsp (2 g) kosher salt
• 1 tbsp (15 g) granulated white sugar (optional)
• milk or cream (for finishing)

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) with rack centered. Line baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal non-stick performance.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together in a large mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution and eliminating potential lumps.
3. Butter Integration: Swiftly work cold butter into dry mixture using pastry blender or fingertips, creating coarse, pea-sized crumbs that promise flaky texture.
4. Dough Formation: Create a central well, pour in milk and lightly beaten egg. Gently fold wet and dry ingredients until just combined, maintaining a slightly sticky, shaggy consistency.
5. Dough Handling: Transfer to floured surface and tenderly knead 4-5 times, avoiding overworking to prevent tough biscuits. Gently pat or roll to 3/4 inch thickness, ensuring even surface.
6. Cutting and Shaping: Dust round cookie cutter with flour and decisively cut biscuit rounds without twisting, preserving clean edges. Arrange on prepared baking sheet with slight spacing.
7. Final Touches and Baking: Brush biscuit tops with milk or cream for golden, glossy finish. Bake 15-17 minutes until rich golden-brown and toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
8. Serving: Transfer to wire rack, allow brief cooling, and serve warm with a luxurious butter pat for ultimate enjoyment.

Notes

• Butter Handling: Keep butter cold and work quickly to maintain small, visible chunks that create flaky, tender biscuits.
• Mixing Technique: Fold wet and dry ingredients just until combined; overmixing leads to tough, dense biscuits.
• Cutting Precision: Use a sharp, flour-dusted cutter and press straight down without twisting to ensure clean, even biscuit edges.
• Golden Finish: Brush tops with milk or cream before baking to achieve a beautiful, glossy golden-brown surface that enhances visual appeal and flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg