Southern Butter Biscuits Recipe

There’s something absolutely heartwarming about pulling a tray of hot, golden Southern Butter Biscuits from the oven—the aroma alone is enough to bring everyone into the kitchen with eager anticipation. These beloved biscuits are a staple at Southern tables for good reason: they’re plush and flaky inside, with irresistibly crisp, buttery tops. Whether split and slathered with homemade jam or tucked alongside a heaping platter of fried chicken, Southern Butter Biscuits have an old-fashioned charm that’s impossible to resist. If you’ve always wanted to master the art of homemade biscuits, this recipe will give you perfect results every time!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Southern Butter Biscuits lies in their simplicity: just a few essential ingredients work together to create an unforgettable texture and flavor. Each component plays its part, so don’t be tempted to take shortcuts—freshness and temperature are key!

• All-purpose flour: Gives these biscuits their tender crumb and just enough structure to rise tall; be sure to spoon and level for accuracy.
• Baking powder: The backbone of that magical rise, ensuring the biscuits are light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances the flavors and brings out the buttery richness that makes these irresistible.
• Granulated sugar (optional): Adds the lightest touch of sweetness that complements both sweet and savory toppings.
• Unsalted butter, cold and cubed: The star of the show—cold, quality butter creates those signature flaky layers and unbeatable flavor.
• Buttermilk, cold: An essential for classic Southern Butter Biscuits; its tang and fat content help with rise and tenderness—plus, it gives that slight twang we all love.
• More buttermilk for brushing: Brushed just before baking, it helps the tops bake up beautifully golden and gives a slight sheen.

How to Make Southern Butter Biscuits

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Begin by preheating your oven to a toasty 450°F (232°C)—that hot temperature is what gives biscuits their gorgeous rise and golden top. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper, so there’s no sticking and easy cleanup. Gathering your ingredients at this point will make the process smooth and enjoyable.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using) until thoroughly combined. This not only distributes everything evenly but also adds a little air to the mixture, which helps with lightness.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Take your cold, cubed unsalted butter and add it to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, gently work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized bits remaining. These little chunks of butter are what create those legendary flaky layers, so don’t overwork it!

Step 4: Add Buttermilk and Bring Dough Together

Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir gently with a fork, just until the dough comes together in a shaggy mass. Resist the urge to overmix—your biscuits will thank you with tender, ethereal layers.

Step 5: Fold for Layers

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a rectangle about three-quarters of an inch thick, then fold it over onto itself two or three times. This simple folding process builds those wonderful layers inside the finished Southern Butter Biscuits.

Step 6: Cut Out Biscuits

Pat the dough to three-quarters of an inch thickness again, then use a round biscuit cutter to punch out rounds—press straight down and lift straight up for perfect layers. Gather and gently recombine any scraps to cut more biscuits, being careful not to overwork.

Step 7: Arrange and Brush

For soft-sided biscuits, nestle them close together on your baking sheet; for crisper edges, leave a bit of space between each one. Brush the tops with a little extra cold buttermilk to create those irresistible golden tops.

Step 8: Bake and Serve

Slide your tray into the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the biscuits are puffed and gloriously golden. Serve them while still warm—add a pat of butter, a drizzle of honey, or a generous spoonful of your favorite jam for the full Southern Butter Biscuits experience.

How to Serve Southern Butter Biscuits

Garnishes

Fresh from the oven, Southern Butter Biscuits truly sing with a final flourish. Brushing them with melted butter right after baking infuses each bite with extra richness and a mouthwatering shine. Sprinkle on a pinch of flaky sea salt or a hint of chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley if you want to add a pretty (and tasty) touch to the tops.

Side Dishes

Southern Butter Biscuits are wonderfully versatile and pair beautifully with a range of dishes. At breakfast, nestle them alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. For dinner, serve them with fried chicken, collard greens, or smothered in thick sausage gravy. Their simplicity makes them the perfect partner to hearty soups, stews, or even as a base for a breakfast sandwich.

Creative Ways to Present

Make your biscuits into bite-sized sliders filled with ham and pimento cheese, or split them for classic strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. Stack Southern Butter Biscuits in a bread basket wrapped in a linen napkin for a cozy, inviting table presentation. They’re even charming served on a rustic wooden board surrounded by little bowls of honey, jams, and flavored butters for guests to customize their own.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any biscuits left (trust me, they disappear fast!), let them cool completely before wrapping tightly in foil or storing in an airtight container. They’ll stay tender at room temperature for a day or two, but for longer storage, tuck them into the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing

Southern Butter Biscuits freeze beautifully! Once baked and cooled, slip them into a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep their lovely texture for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked, cut biscuits—just add a few extra minutes of bake time straight from the freezer.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked magic, gently reheat biscuits in a 350°F oven for 7–10 minutes, wrapped in foil to prevent drying. For a quick single serving, split a biscuit and toast it in a skillet with a little butter, or microwave for about 20 seconds for a warm, soft treat. Don’t forget an extra brush of melted butter if you want to boost flavor even more!

FAQs

Why is it important for the butter and buttermilk to be cold?

Cold butter and buttermilk help create those characteristic flaky layers in Southern Butter Biscuits. The cold fat steams in the hot oven, creating pockets that produce lift and tenderness. Warm ingredients can cause the butter to blend too completely, resulting in dense or flat biscuits.

Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose?

Yes, you can substitute self-rising flour—just skip the added baking powder and reduce the salt slightly. The texture remains close to classic biscuits, though you may notice a touch more rise due to the pre-mixed leavening.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

If you’re out of buttermilk, make a quick substitute by combining 3/4 cup milk with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar, and let it sit for five minutes. This homemade version won’t have quite the same tang, but it’ll get you surprisingly close in a pinch!

How do I keep my biscuits from spreading too much?

Be sure your butter and buttermilk are both really cold, and try not to overwork the dough. Press your biscuit cutter straight down (don’t twist), and chill the cut biscuits for a few minutes before baking if your kitchen is particularly warm for picture-perfect results.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! This Southern Butter Biscuits recipe is easily doubled for a crowd. Work in batches and keep the dough (and cut biscuits) in the fridge while the first tray bakes to maintain that essential coldness for lofty, flaky biscuits every time.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the comforting ritual of baking Southern Butter Biscuits from scratch and sharing them warm out of the oven. Whether you dress them up or dive in simply with butter, every bite is pure home-baked joy. Take a little time to bake a batch—you’ll discover just how magical these humble biscuits can be!

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