5 Easy Biscuit Recipes for Beginners

If you're new to baking and looking for simple recipes to try, biscuits are a fantastic place to start. They require minimal ingredients, and with a few easy steps, you can bake delicious treats that are perfect for any time of the day. Let's dive into five easy biscuit recipes that will have you baking like a pro in no time!

Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk biscuits are classic comfort food, known for their fluffy texture and slightly tangy flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ¾ cup cold buttermilk
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can use a pastry cutter or your fingers, but the butter should not be fully melted.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk. Stir until just combined; the dough will be sticky.
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, knead gently for about 10 times, then pat it into a rectangle about 1 inch thick.
6. Using a biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown.
8. Brush the tops with melted butter immediately after taking them out of the oven.

💡 Note: For flakier biscuits, keep your butter and buttermilk as cold as possible.

Drop Biscuits

If you’re in a hurry or prefer biscuits with a rustic look, drop biscuits are the way to go. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup melted butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Mix in the buttermilk and melted butter until the dough comes together.
4. Using a large spoon, drop mounds of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown on top.

📝 Note: This recipe is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t require any rolling or cutting!

Sweet Cream Biscuits

Sweet cream biscuits are tender and melt-in-your-mouth, with a subtle sweetness that makes them perfect for desserts or tea-time snacks.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the flour and sugar in a mixing bowl.
3. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, stirring just until the dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, gently knead 5-6 times, then pat into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
5. Cut out biscuits with a round cutter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until biscuits are golden on top.

Cheese Biscuits

For those who love a savory touch, cheese biscuits can be a real treat. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Stir in the shredded cheese until it’s well coated with the flour mixture.
4. Add the buttermilk and melted butter, mix until the dough forms.
5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet.
6. If using garlic powder, sprinkle some over the top of the biscuits before baking.
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until biscuits are golden and puffy.

Whole Wheat Biscuits

For a healthier option or just for a different taste, whole wheat biscuits are wonderful:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ cup cold butter
• ¾ cup milk (or buttermilk for a richer flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. In a bowl, whisk together both flours, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like fine crumbs.
4. Make a well and pour in the milk, mixing until just combined.
5. Turn dough out, knead lightly 5 times, then roll or pat to 1 inch thickness.
6. Cut out biscuits and place them on the baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are browned on top.

To wrap up this journey through easy biscuit recipes, remember that baking biscuits is not just about following a recipe to the letter but also about enjoying the process. Each of these recipes provides a starting point, but don’t hesitate to add your personal touch with herbs, spices, or even different types of cheese. Baking biscuits teaches us the beauty of simplicity in the kitchen, where sometimes the most basic ingredients can yield the most delightful results. Happy baking!