How to Create Buttery Flaky Cheddar Biscuits
There’s nothing like a warm, buttery biscuit to brighten up your day. Add cheddar cheese into the mix, and you’ve got a heavenly treat that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—or even a snack! Making cheddar biscuits at home is surprisingly easy and doesn’t require fancy equipment or advanced cooking skills. By following a simple recipe and a few tips, you’ll have delicious, flaky biscuits that will melt in your mouth. Let’s dive into how you can make these irresistible buttery cheddar biscuits step-by-step.
Why Cheddar Biscuits?
Cheddar biscuits are a classic comfort food. The sharp, tangy flavor of cheddar pairs perfectly with the buttery, rich biscuit base. Whether you serve them with soup, fried chicken, or enjoy them on their own, cheddar biscuits can turn any meal into something special. The secret to great biscuits is achieving a flaky texture, and trust us, it’s easier than you think.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, gather the following ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra flavor)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold!)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar works best)
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or regular milk + 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Ingredients
The key to flaky biscuits is cold butter. So before you begin, make sure your butter is chilled—straight from the fridge. Grate your cheddar cheese and measure out your dry and wet ingredients. If you’re using buttermilk, take it out of the fridge at the last moment so it stays cold.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and garlic powder (if using). This helps ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Cut in the Butter
Here’s where the magic starts! Take your cold butter and cut it into small cubes. Add the butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients. You want the butter pieces to be pea-sized—small chunks of butter will create those flaky layers when baked.
Pro Tip: If your kitchen is warm, you can freeze the butter for 10 minutes beforehand. Cold butter is essential for flaky biscuits.
4. Add the Cheese
Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently to evenly distribute it throughout the dough.
5. Stir in the Buttermilk
Pour the cold buttermilk into the dry mixture and gently stir until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix; the dough doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth. Overmixing can make your biscuits tough instead of tender.
If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon more buttermilk. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit of flour.
Rolling and Cutting the Dough
6. Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and turn out the dough. Use your hands to gently press it into a rectangle about 1-inch thick. Don’t over-squish the dough—those bits of butter in the dough need to stay intact to create flaky layers.
7. Make Flaky Layers
For extra flakiness, fold the dough in half or thirds and then gently roll it back out again. Repeat this folding step one more time. This simple technique builds layers into the dough.
8. Cut the Biscuits
Use a round biscuit cutter (or the rim of a glass) to cut out your biscuits. Press straight down, don’t twist, to help the biscuits rise properly. Re-roll the scraps to make more biscuits, but try not to overwork the dough.
Baking Time
9. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature helps the biscuits rise quickly and stay flaky.
10. Place on a Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the biscuits so they’re slightly touching. This helps them rise taller and stay soft on the edges.
11. Brush With Butter (Optional)
For extra buttery goodness, melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter and brush it over the tops of the biscuits before baking.
12. Bake
Bake the biscuits for 12–15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them—your kitchen will smell amazing, but don’t get distracted!
Serve and Enjoy!
Let the biscuits cool for just a couple of minutes, then serve them warm. The buttery, cheesy goodness is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. Pair them with scrambled eggs for breakfast, chili for dinner, or just eat them as-is with some honey or jam. These biscuits also freeze well, so you can save some for later.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough can make biscuits dense and chewy instead of light and flaky. Handle the dough gently!
- Keep Ingredients Cold: Cold butter and cold buttermilk are the secret to creating layers in your biscuits.
- Use Sharp Cheddar: Sharp cheddar cheese gives the biscuits a bold flavor. Customize with your favorite add-ins, like chives or bacon bits!
With this simple recipe, you can create homemade cheddar biscuits that rival any bakery. Treat yourself, friends, and family to these buttery, flaky delights—you’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make. So grab your flour and cheese, and get baking!
