There is nothing quite like the first bite of freshly baked Southern Butter Biscuits—tender, buttery, and just the right amount of fluff. These biscuits are the pride of many Southern kitchens, served warm and fragrant, ready to be smothered with butter, jam, or honey. Whether gracing the breakfast table or starring at a Sunday supper, Southern Butter Biscuits are a timeless classic that manages to feel both special and comfortingly familiar. If you’re searching for the secret to pillowy, flaky biscuits like Grandma used to make, you’re in for a true treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making authentic Southern Butter Biscuits is all about using quality, everyday ingredients and letting each one shine. Every single element on this list pulls its weight, from creating those irresistible flaky layers to infusing the biscuits with golden color and signature flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your biscuits—provides structure while keeping the crumb tender. Use scoop-and-sweep for accurate measuring!
- Baking powder: Delivers the lift and rise that make Southern Butter Biscuits so delightfully tall and fluffy.
- Baking soda: Teams up with buttermilk to create extra softness and help the biscuits brown beautifully.
- Salt: Brings all the flavors into focus and balances out the richness—don’t skimp!
- Granulated sugar (optional): Adds a subtle hint of sweetness; include it for a touch of balance, leave it out for a more savory bite.
- Unsalted butter (very cold, cut into cubes): The star ingredient delivering those buttery layers and irresistible flakiness—keep it icy cold for best results.
- Cold buttermilk (plus more for brushing): Key to signature tang and tenderness, it brings everything together while enhancing flavor and crumb.
How to Make Southern Butter Biscuits
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet and Oven
To set yourself up for biscuit bliss, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, which will help keep the bottoms golden and prevent sticking—plus, easy cleanup!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and, if you’re using it, sugar. Mixing these well ensures even distribution, so every bite of your Southern Butter Biscuits turns out just right.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add those icy-cold cubes of unsalted butter to the bowl. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to gently work them into the flour until the mixture has pea-sized crumbs. Don’t overwork—those little pieces of butter mean big, buttery pockets in your finished biscuits!
Step 4: Add the Buttermilk
Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir gently with a fork or spatula. Just mix until the dough comes together—overmixing can toughen your biscuits. Some dry spots are perfectly okay at this stage.
Step 5: Create Layers
Turn the rough dough out onto a floured surface and pat it into a 1-inch-thick rectangle. Then, fold it in half, pat it out again, and repeat this 3–4 times. This simple folding trick is the secret to those famous, flaky Southern Butter Biscuits!
Step 6: Cut and Arrange
Using a round biscuit cutter, press straight down into the dough—no twisting! This keeps the sides tall and helps the biscuits rise evenly. Place each biscuit on your tray: snuggled close if you want soft edges, or spaced apart for a crunchy, golden finish.
Step 7: Brush and Bake
Brush the tops with a little extra buttermilk for a beautiful, golden crust. Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, until your Southern Butter Biscuits are gorgeously golden brown and smell like pure comfort. Serve immediately, while still warm and pillowy!
How to Serve Southern Butter Biscuits
Garnishes
There’s magic in a warm biscuit split open and slathered with salted butter. If you want to jazz things up, try a drizzle of honey, a dollop of seasonal jam, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a gourmet touch. Freshly chopped chives or a dusting of black pepper add a savory pop if you’re in the mood to experiment!
Side Dishes
Southern Butter Biscuits are famously versatile, pairing perfectly with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or country ham for breakfast. For supper, nestle them beside fried chicken, smothered pork chops, or a bowl of slow-cooked collard greens. Honestly, these biscuits shine with almost anything you love!
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your biscuits into mini breakfast sandwiches with sausage and egg, or use them as a base for classic sausage gravy. For a brunch crowd, set up a DIY biscuit bar with various jams, honey, and flavored butters. They also make a delightful topper for pot pies or shortcakes—sweet or savory!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Southern Butter Biscuits (which is a rare thing!), let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them from drying out while preserving their tender crumb.
Freezing
For that fresh-baked biscuit feeling any day of the week, freeze unbaked biscuits on a tray until solid, then pop them into a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the bake time. Baked biscuits can also be frozen for up to one month—simply reheat before serving.
Reheating
To revive day-old biscuits, wrap them in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or heat individually in the microwave for 20 seconds. Either way, your Southern Butter Biscuits will taste almost as good as when they first came out of the oven!
FAQs
Why must the butter and buttermilk be so cold?
Cold butter creates steam during baking, which forms those flaky layers everyone loves in Southern Butter Biscuits. The chill keeps the dough from absorbing the butter too soon, resulting in a taller, fluffier biscuit.
Can I use whole milk instead of buttermilk?
Buttermilk gives your biscuits their signature tang and tenderness, but in a pinch, you can make a quick substitute by adding a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to whole milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.
What if I don’t have a biscuit cutter?
No biscuit cutter? No problem! Use a floured drinking glass or simply cut the dough into squares for a rustic touch. Your Southern Butter Biscuits will still be delicious and just as inviting.
Why do I need to fold the dough several times?
Folding helps build those beautiful, flaky layers and a higher rise. Each fold creates pockets of butter trapped in the dough, which expand and create lift in the oven—trust the process, it makes a huge difference!
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! The recipe scales up beautifully for larger gatherings. Just keep your butter and buttermilk cold and don’t overwork the dough, and you’ll have a big batch of perfect Southern Butter Biscuits to share.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried baking Southern Butter Biscuits at home yet, now’s your moment! They’re easy, eye-catching, and full of comfort—guaranteed to win hearts around your table. Give this recipe a go, and don’t be surprised if everyone comes asking for seconds (and maybe the recipe, too)!
Print
Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 biscuits 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Southern Butter Biscuits are a classic breakfast treat that are flaky, buttery, and perfect for enjoying with butter, honey, or jam. Made with simple ingredients, these homemade biscuits are easy to prepare and are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (very cold, cut into cubes)
- ¾ cup cold buttermilk (plus more for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk and stir until just combined.
- Shape the biscuits: Turn the dough onto a floured surface, pat into a rectangle, fold in half, and repeat folding process. Cut out biscuits and place on baking sheet.
- Bake: Brush biscuits with buttermilk and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Serve warm with desired toppings.
Notes
- Keep ingredients cold for flakier biscuits.
- Freeze unbaked biscuits for later use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
