James Beard's Baking Powder Biscuits

Flaky, tender, and irresistibly buttery, James Beard's Baking Powder Biscuits are a timeless classic that will elevate any meal. This quick and easy homemade biscuit recipe combines pantry staples like all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, with the rich creaminess of cold unsalted butter and whole milk for a flawless texture. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a few simple steps—like cutting butter into the flour for the perfect crumb and avoiding overmixing to preserve their delicate structure—these golden-brown biscuits bake to perfection in under 15 minutes. Whether served fresh from the oven with a pat of butter, a dollop of jam, or alongside a hearty soup or stew, these biscuits are a versatile and crowd-pleasing addition to your table. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, they’ll quickly become a go-to staple in your baking repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 5 tablespoons Unsalted butter (cold)
• 0.75 cup Whole milk
• 0 Extra flour (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

Cut the cold butter into small cubes. Add the cubes of butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to keep the butter cold.

Step 4

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the milk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough biscuits.

Step 5

Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead the dough gently 2–3 times to bring it together, then pat or roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness.

Step 6

Using a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass (about 2–2.5 inches in diameter), cut out biscuits. Press straight down without twisting to ensure even rising. Re-roll any scraps and continue cutting until all the dough is used.

Step 7

Place the biscuits closely together on the prepared baking sheet if you prefer soft sides, or spaced apart if you prefer crisp edges.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow the biscuits to cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm, with butter, jam, or your preferred accompaniments.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(523.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1545.0

Total Fat 65.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 177.0mg	0%
Sodium 3790.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 205.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.8g	0%
Total Sugars 9.5g
Protein 32.5g	0%

Vitamin D 115.5IU	0%
Calcium 274.7mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 556.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.4%

Protein: 8.4%

Carbs: 53.2%