How to Make the Very Best Biscuits
Here's how to make our favorite Flaky Biscuits, step-by-step.
Step One
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar. Using a pastry blender (or your fingertips), cut (or rub) in 3/4 cup cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add 1 cup of milk all at once. Using a fork, stir just until mixture is moistened.
Step Two
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. (It might still be a little piece-y, and that's okay.) Knead dough by folding and gently pressing it for four to six strokes or just until dough holds together, but don't over-knead it, or your biscuits can be tough.
Step Three
Pat or lightly roll dough until 3/4 inch thick. If you are planning to cut the biscuits into squares, aim for a rough square shape. If you are cutting them with cutters, the shape doesn't matter at all.
Step Four
Cut dough with a floured 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, reroll scraps as necessary and dip cutter into flour between cuts. (For even faster biscuits with no scraps or re-rolling, just cut the dough into squares.)
Step Five
Place biscuits 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until golden. Remove biscuits from baking sheet and serve warm.
Biscuit Sandwiches
Biscuits team perfectly with just a drizzle of honey, but if you want to take them to the next level, try a biscuit sandwich. Cool slightly, then split horizontally and layer with toppings.
• Ham 'n' Cheese (top layer in photo): Biscuit bottom, thick-sliced ham, smoked cheddar (broil to melt), hot pepper jelly, biscuit top. Inspired by Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company in Columbia, Missouri.
• Curried Sweet Potato (middle layer): Biscuit bottom, spring greens, roasted sweet potato, caramelized onion, cream cheese (stirred with curry powder), biscuit top. Inspired by Bloom Bake Shop, Madison, Wisconsin.
• Southern Style (bottom layer): Biscuit bottom, egg (fried or scrambled), bacon, kale or mustard greens (wilted in the bacon drippings), hot sauce, biscuit top. Inspired by Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits, Chicago.