If you are craving a flaky, cheesy, and utterly irresistible treat, this Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe is a must-try that never disappoints. Perfectly golden on the outside with tender, buttery layers on the inside, these biscuits infuse every bite with sharp cheddar’s rich flavor. Whether you’re enjoying a cozy breakfast or serving them alongside a hearty dinner, these biscuits elevate any meal with their comforting texture and savory goodness. The ease of creating them from scratch makes them a beloved classic you’ll want to keep in your cooking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is key to the success of this recipe. Each element plays an important role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color that makes these cheddar biscuits so memorable.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of our biscuits, providing structure and the ideal crumb.
- Baking powder: This leavening agent helps the biscuits rise beautifully, giving them a light and fluffy texture.
- Baking soda: Complements the baking powder and reacts with buttermilk to aid in fluffy, tender biscuits.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the richness of the cheese and butter.
- Garlic powder (optional): Adds a subtle savory depth that pairs perfectly with cheddar.
- Cold unsalted butter: Cut into small cubes, it creates flaky layers as it melts during baking.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: This is the star ingredient, giving each biscuit a punch of bold, cheesy flavor.
- Buttermilk: Provides moisture, acidity, and a tender crumb.
- Chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional): A fresh herbal note that brightens the overall taste and adds a pop of green color.
- Melted butter (for brushing, optional): Brushed on warm biscuits for an irresistible golden sheen and extra richness.
How to Make Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to a lively 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your biscuits bake evenly and come off effortlessly without sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and garlic powder if you’re adding that optional kick. This blend is the foundation for your biscuit’s texture and flavor, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned and light.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Now, add your frozen cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, gently work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. These small bits of butter are crucial—they melt in the oven and create the signature flaky layers we all love in a biscuit.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Herbs
Sprinkle in the sharp shredded cheddar cheese along with the fresh chopped chives or parsley if you’re using them. The cheese brings creaminess and boldness, while the herbs add freshness and vibrant color.
Step 5: Bring the Dough Together
Pour in the buttermilk and stir just enough to combine the dough. If it feels too dry, a little extra buttermilk will help everything come together without overmixing, which could make the biscuits tough.
Step 6: Shape the Biscuits
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently pat it into a rectangle about one inch thick. Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out rounds, gently pressing scraps back together to create more biscuits. Handling the dough gently is key to keeping those tender layers.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange the biscuits on your prepared baking sheet. Placing them slightly touching each other will give softer sides, while spacing them out will create crispier edges—choose your preference! Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until they’re gorgeously golden brown and tempting to touch.
Step 8: Brush with Butter (Optional)
For that extra touch of indulgence, brush the warm biscuits with melted butter right out of the oven. This adds a lovely sheen and a dash of extra flavor that makes these biscuits truly irresistible.
How to Serve Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
These biscuits shine on their own but can be made even more special with simple garnishes. Fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or even a sprinkle of cracked black pepper atop warm biscuits can add texture and a beautiful presentation.
Side Dishes
Homemade cheddar biscuits star wonderfully alongside classic Southern dishes such as fried chicken or shrimp and grits. They are also fantastic partners to soups and stews, soaking up broths and gravies with delightful buttery goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing a warm biscuit in half and layering with slices of crispy bacon, a fried egg, or even a spoonful of jalapeño jelly for a surprising sweet-heat twist. Serving them as mini sandwiches or with compound butters flavored with herbs and garlic can turn your snack into an unforgettable treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your homemade cheddar biscuits stay fresh for up to two days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. This makes them perfect for making ahead and enjoying with multiple meals.
Freezing
If you want to keep the magic longer, freeze the unbaked biscuits by cutting and placing them on a baking sheet, flash freezing until firm, then transferring them to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer, adding just a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To revive your biscuits, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 to 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make them chewy rather than delightfully flaky.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While regular milk can work in a pinch, buttermilk’s acidity reacts with the baking soda to give the biscuits their tender crumb and slight tang. You can mimic buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
What type of cheddar cheese is best?
Sharp cheddar is preferred for its bold flavor that really stands out in the biscuits. However, you can experiment with mild or extra-sharp depending on your taste preference.
Can I make these biscuits dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter, and use a plant-based buttermilk substitute (such as almond milk with vinegar). Keep in mind, the flavor and texture will vary slightly.
Why do my biscuits turn out dense sometimes?
Dense biscuits are often due to overmixing the dough or using butter that is too warm. Be sure to mix just until combined and keep the butter cold for flakiness.
Can I add other ingredients to the dough?
Absolutely! Bacon bits, jalapeños, or different cheeses can be wonderful additions. Just be mindful not to overpower the cheddar, which is the delicious heart of this recipe.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly comforting and joyful about making your own warm, cheesy biscuits from scratch. This Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe not only fills your kitchen with delicious aromas but also fills your table with smiles and satisfied appetites. I wholeheartedly encourage you to dive into this recipe—you might find it quickly becoming one of your family’s favorites too!
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Homemade Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These homemade cheddar biscuits are a classic Southern-style treat, perfect for breakfast or as a savory side. Fluffy and tender with sharp cheddar cheese and a hint of garlic, they come together quickly using buttermilk and cold butter for the perfect flaky texture.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Wet Ingredients & Mix-ins
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (plus more as needed)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional garlic powder to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasonings.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until the texture resembles coarse crumbs, which ensures flakiness in the biscuits.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and optional chopped fresh chives or parsley for added flavor and texture.
- Mix Dough: Pour in the buttermilk and stir just until the dough comes together. If the dough appears too dry, add an extra tablespoon or two of buttermilk to achieve a moist but workable consistency.
- Shape Biscuits: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out rounds. Gather and gently press the scraps together to cut additional biscuits.
- Bake: Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet either slightly touching each other for softer sides or spaced apart for crisper edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
- Optional Finish: Remove the biscuits from the oven and brush the warm tops with melted butter for an extra layer of richness and flavor.
- Serve and Store: Serve the biscuits warm. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze them for longer storage.
Notes
- For best results, keep the butter cold to achieve flaky biscuits.
- If you do not have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 3/4 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Adding chives or parsley is optional but adds a fresh pop of flavor.
- Biscuits placed close together on the baking sheet will have softer sides, while spaced biscuits will have a crispier crust.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best balance of flavor and meltiness.
- Biscuits are best eaten the day they are made but can be gently reheated if stored.
