Are you craving warm, fluffy biscuits that melt in your mouth? Forget those dry, store-bought versions! This recipe delivers incredibly flaky, buttery biscuits with a delightful tangy cream cheese swirl. It's easier than you think to make these homemade delights, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting side dish for any meal. This recipe is a fantastic addition to your collection of easy recipes and quick dinner ideas.
Ingredients:
For the Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 cup cold buttermilk
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure all the dry ingredients are well combined. This step ensures even leavening for perfectly fluffy biscuits.
Step 2: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Avoid overmixing; some small pieces of butter are okay. Cold butter is key to flaky biscuits!
Step 3: Add the Buttermilk
Gradually add the cold buttermilk to the flour mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Don't overmix; a slightly lumpy dough is fine. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough biscuits.
Step 4: Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough. Fold the dough in half, then cut into 8 equal squares.
Place the biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F (232°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your warm, delicious biscuits immediately with butter, jam, honey, or alongside your favorite savory dishes.
Tips for Perfect Biscuits:
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and buttermilk are crucial for achieving flaky biscuits.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough biscuits.
- Handle the dough gently: Avoid kneading the dough; simply pat it into shape.
- Bake at a high temperature: A high oven temperature helps the biscuits rise quickly and evenly.
Variations:
- Savory Biscuits: Omit the sugar from the cream cheese mixture and add herbs like rosemary or thyme.
- Cheese Biscuits: Add shredded cheddar cheese to the dough for extra cheesy flavor.
- Sweet Biscuits: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar to the tops of the biscuits before baking.
Nutritional Information (per biscuit, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-180
- Fat: 8-10g
- Protein: 3-4g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
This recipe for homemade biscuits offers a delicious and satisfying addition to any meal, proving that delicious dishes don't need to be complicated. Enjoy the process of making these easy recipes and the wonderful taste of your freshly baked biscuits. They're perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish for a quick dinner. These best recipes are sure to become a family favorite.