These basic homemade biscuits are a timeless comfort food, perfect for any occasion. With just a handful of pantry ingredients, they come together quickly and effortlessly, making them a great choice for beginners and experienced bakers alike.

The magic behind these biscuits lies in their simplicity. The combination of flour, baking powder, and shortening results in a golden-brown crust with a tender, flaky interior that melts in your mouth.

Whether served with breakfast or enjoyed alongside dinner, these biscuits add warmth and heart to any meal. Their ease of preparation and delightful texture will make them a staple in your baking repertoire.

Basic Biscuits – Ingredients

Flour serves as the foundation of these biscuits, providing structure and a soft, comforting base. The baking powder is the key to their light, airy texture, ensuring the perfect rise.

Shortening contributes to the biscuits’ tender crumb, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. Cold milk binds everything together, adding moisture and enhancing the softness of the dough.

Basic Biscuits Recipe with Tips, Serving Suggestions & FAQs

These basic biscuits are the perfect addition to any meal, offering a golden-brown exterior and a soft, tender interior. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is simple and reliable. Below are some helpful tips, serving suggestions, and frequently asked questions to help you master this classic treat.

Recipe Tips

1. Keep Ingredients Cold: The key to achieving light, flaky biscuits is to keep your ingredients, especially the shortening and milk, as cold as possible. Chilled ingredients help the dough maintain its texture and prevent the biscuits from becoming dense. If possible, refrigerate the shortening or use cold butter as an alternative.
2. Don’t Overwork the Dough: When kneading the dough, be gentle and avoid overworking it. Knead just enough to bring the dough together, 5 to 7 times, as instructed. Overworking the dough can cause the biscuits to turn out tough, rather than tender and fluffy.
3. Use a Sharp Cutter: When cutting out your biscuits, make sure to use a sharp, floured cookie cutter. A blunt cutter can compress the dough and prevent the biscuits from rising properly. Press straight down without twisting to ensure clean edges for a perfect rise.

What to Serve with Basic Biscuits

1. Gravy: Nothing pairs better with biscuits than a rich, creamy sausage or country gravy. The soft biscuits absorb the gravy beautifully, making for a comforting, indulgent meal. This combination is especially popular for breakfast or brunch.
2. Jam and Butter: For a lighter, sweet touch, serve these biscuits with fresh fruit jam or preserves and a dollop of butter. The biscuits’ mild flavor is the perfect backdrop for any sweet spread, adding a delightful contrast in both flavor and texture.
3. Fried Chicken: Biscuits are often the perfect accompaniment to fried chicken. Their fluffy, buttery interior complements the crispy texture of the chicken, making for a hearty and satisfying meal. Add a side of coleslaw and mashed potatoes to complete the feast.

FAQ

1. Can I use butter instead of shortening?
Yes, butter can be used in place of shortening for a richer flavor. However, shortening helps produce a flakier texture, so biscuits made with butter may be slightly denser.

2. How can I make these biscuits vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, replace the shortening with a plant-based butter or margarine. Use a non-dairy milk, such as almond or oat milk, to substitute the regular milk.

3. Can I freeze the dough for later use?
Yes, you can freeze the biscuit dough before baking. Simply wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze it. When ready to bake, cut the dough into biscuits and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

4. Why are my biscuits dense?
Dense biscuits can result from overworking the dough or using warm ingredients. Be sure to knead the dough gently and use cold shortening and milk to ensure a light, airy texture.

Basic Biscuits

This straightforward biscuit recipe combines simple pantry staples and baking powder to create light, golden-brown biscuits with a soft, tender center. Perfect for any occasion, they come together quickly and easily, offering a delightful balance of flavor and texture.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 People

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup cold milk
• ½ cup shortening
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

• Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients and preheating your oven to 450°F (230°C).
• In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Use a fork or pastry blender to cut the shortening into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Gradually pour the cold milk into the flour mixture, stirring with a fork until the dough becomes soft, moist, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
• Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 5 to 7 times to bring the dough together.
• Roll the dough to a ½ inch thickness and cut out the biscuits using a floured cookie cutter. Recombine the unused dough, roll it out again, and continue cutting biscuits.
• Place the biscuits onto ungreased baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until they turn a golden brown.

Keyword Basic Biscuits