How to Make Homemade Biscuits: A Simple Guide for Beginners
Homemade biscuits are a warm, comforting treat that can be enjoyed any time of day. Whether you’re serving them with breakfast, pairing them with soup for lunch, or indulging in a buttery snack in the evening, biscuits are a classic favorite. The best part? You don’t need any fancy tools or complicated techniques to make them. This blog will walk you through a simple, beginner-friendly recipe for homemade biscuits that you can whip up in no time.
Why Make Your Own Biscuits?
Biscuits can be bought at the store, but homemade ones have a freshness and flavor that you just can’t beat. Making biscuits at home lets you control the ingredients, so you know exactly what’s going into your food. Plus, it’s fun! Baking biscuits is a great activity to do with kids or friends, and it fills your kitchen with the delicious smell of buttery goodness.
Things You’ll Need
Before you start, make sure you have these basic tools and ingredients:
Tools:
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk or Fork
- Rolling Pin (optional)
- Biscuit Cutter (or a glass rim)
- Baking Tray
- Oven
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 6 tablespoons of cold butter (unsalted works best)
- ¾ cup of milk (preferably whole milk or buttermilk)
These are pantry staples that most people already have at home. If you’re missing something, you can find it easily at any grocery store.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Biscuits
Let’s dive into the process of making homemade biscuits. Follow these steps, and in under 30 minutes, you’ll have delicious biscuits coming out of your oven!
1. Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by gathering all your ingredients and preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). It’s important to work with cold butter, so leave it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
Take your mixing bowl and add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk or fork to evenly combine these dry ingredients. This ensures your biscuits rise properly and taste delicious.
3. Cut in the Butter
Here’s where the magic starts! Take the cold butter and cut it into small chunks. Add these chunks to the bowl of dry ingredients and use your fingers, a pastry cutter, or a fork to break the butter into smaller pieces. You want the mixture to look like coarse crumbs. Having little bits of solid butter in the dough is what makes biscuits flaky.
4. Add the Milk
Pour the milk into the bowl and mix gently until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix—it’s okay if the dough looks a little shaggy. Overmixing can make your biscuits tough, and we want them light and fluffy!
5. Shape the Dough
Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and turn your dough out onto it. Knead the dough gently (about 5 times) to bring it all together. Then, pat or roll the dough into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. If you don’t have a rolling pin, use your hands—they work just fine!
6. Cut Out the Biscuits
Use a biscuit cutter or the rim of a drinking glass to cut out circles from the dough. Push straight down, avoiding twisting the cutter—this helps the biscuits rise evenly. Place your biscuits onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, making sure they’re close but not touching.
7. Bake
Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake the biscuits for about 12–15 minutes. They’re done when the tops turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook!
8. Cool and Serve
Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve them warm with butter, honey, jam, or gravy. You’ll love how soft and buttery they are!
Tips for Perfect Biscuits
- Use Cold Ingredients: Cold butter and milk are key to flaky biscuits. If your butter gets soft, just pop the dough into the fridge for a few minutes.
- Don’t Overmix: It’s tempting to stir the dough a lot, but less is more. Mixing too much can make your biscuits tough.
- Customize the Flavor: Want to change things up? Add shredded cheese, fresh herbs, or a pinch of garlic powder to your dough for a fun twist. Or mix in a little sugar for sweet biscuits.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making homemade biscuits is easier than you might think, and the results are so rewarding. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create biscuits that are flaky, golden, and delicious. Plus, this recipe is highly customizable, so you can always experiment and make it your own.
If you’ve never tried baking biscuits before, this is the perfect recipe to start with. Give it a go, and soon you’ll be making batches for friends, family, or even just yourself. There’s nothing better than a warm biscuit straight from the oven—and now you know how simple they are to make at home!
So, what are you waiting for? Gather those ingredients, dust off your mixing bowl, and start baking! Your homemade biscuits will be the star of your next meal, and you’ll feel proud knowing they came out of your own kitchen. Happy baking!
