These southern buttermilk biscuits have been handed down over three generations. Super fast and easy. Nearly fail-proof, the originator calls them perfect in every way.

I’ve been in searching for a biscuit recipe worthy of my Strawberry Grapefruit Marmalade. After trying four different recipes, some that were total flops, I found this one. I love it because it’s simple and can be mixed in the food processor. The originator said this recipe was from her great-great-grandmother, handed down to all the women in her family and she would “put these biscuits up against anyone’s – perfect in every single way”. Well, I just love tradition and when she threw down her gauntlet, I had to try this recipe. My entire family and extended family loved them and you will not be disappointed either. These are gift-giving worthy!

Here are a few photos just to help with the process. This one shows how wet your dough should be after processing.

After patting and folding just before I cut the biscuits. Tip: You might want to dip your fingers in flour to help with the patting and folding.

Ready for the oven!

These come together quickly and are worthy of any homemade jam or just as they are.

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5 from 7 votes

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

These biscuits are light, buttery tasting and simple to make. Serve with your favorite fruit-spread or make them for savory sausage gravy.

Course Quick Bread

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings biscuits

Calories 157

Author Good Dinner Mom

Ingredients

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the board
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoon baking powder, use one without aluminum
1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1 teaspoon salt
9 Tablespoons unsalted butter, very cold
1 ½ cups buttermilk, approx

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 450°F.
Combine 3 cups flour, ½ teaspoon soda, 2 Tablespoons powder, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl, or in the bowl of a food processor.
Cut 9 Tablespoons butter into chunks and cut into the flour until it resembles course meal.
If using a food processor, pulse a few times until this consistency is achieved.
Add 1 ½ cups buttermilk and mix JUST until combined.
If it appears on the dry side, add a bit more buttermilk. It should be very wet.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured board.
Dip your fingers in flour to help keep the dough from sticking to you. Gently, gently PAT (do NOT roll with a rolling pin) the dough out until it's about ½" thick. Fold the dough about 5 times, gently press the dough down to a 1 inch thick.
Use a round cutter to cut into rounds. Do not twist cutter as you push down. This compromises the dough to it doesn't rise up as high.
You can gently knead the scraps together and make a few more.
Place the biscuits on a cookie sheet- if you like soft sides, place them touching each other. If you like"crusty" sides, place them about 1 inch apart- these will not rise as high as the biscuits put close together.
Bake for about8-10 minutes- the biscuits will be a beautiful light golden brown on top and bottom.
Do not overbake.

Note:

The key to real biscuits is not in the ingredients, but in the handling of the dough.
The dough must be handled as little as possible or you will have tough biscuits.
A food processor produces superior biscuits, because the ingredients stay colder and there's less chance of overmixing.
You also must pat the dough out with your hands, lightly.
Rolling with a rolling pin is a guaranteed way to overstimulate the gluten, resulting in a tougher biscuit.

Note 2:

You can make these biscuits, cut them, put them on cookie sheets and freeze them for up to a month.
When you want fresh biscuits, simply place them frozen on the cookie sheet and bake at 450°F for about 15-18 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Amount Per Serving

Calories 157 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 206mg9%

Potassium 209mg6%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 234IU5%

Calcium 96mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Melt In Your Mouth Southern Buttermilk Biscuits