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The Biggest, Fattest, Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits

The Biggest Fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits are a testament to buttery, flaky biscuit layers that pull apart better than any biscuits you will ever pop out of a can! I’m going to show you the combo of ingredients plus technique plus tips and tricks that yield amazing biscuits every time!

The Biggest Fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits all piled up in a bowl ready for breakfast

I’ve talked about biscuits a lot here because for years I COULD NOT MAKE THEM. My ex’s (😬) little grandma was a biscuit pro, and I have definitely written about my ineptitude in following her “little a this little a that” grandma directions more than once.

But this time I have really done it. REALLY.

I have made the Biggest Fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits there are. And I am going to teach you how!

Going waaaay back to November 2012, I made these Honey Butter Glazed Whole Wheat Biscuits. They are earthy and so so good, but what I really borrowed from that recipe is the technique.

 All Butter Biscuit Dough cut into circles; you can see the layers that will bake up into big fat fluffy biscuits!

How to laminate biscuits

What makes these the biggest, fattest, fluffiest all butter biscuits is how you pat out the dough. Those flaky layers didn’t come from a can!

Laminating is a weird word for what is basically folding a whole bunch of times, but while you’re learning to make the best big fluffy biscuits, you might as well pick up a few fancy cooking words.

The process of laminating

Once your ingredients are combined and you have kneaded things in the bowl to pick up any spare dry bits, you are going to turn the dough out onto a WELL FLOURED counter. Flour your hands and pat the dough out into a big ‘ol rectangle. THEN!

You are going to fold the short sides of the rectangle in so they meet in the middle. Pat that dough back out into a rectangle and repeat this SIX TIMES. Yes, six.

When you pat the dough out into a rectangle the 7th time, you are ready to cut out your biscuits.

Biggest Fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuit on a Plate

Tips for Getting Flaky Biscuit Layers

  • First and foremost! You need the ingredients to be COLD. The recipe specifies cold butter because it totally makes a difference. After I cut the butter into the flour mixture I will often stick the bowl in the refrigerator for some extra chill time while the oven preheats and I prepare my well-floured work space.
  • Don’t add all the liquid at once. This recipe calls for 2 cups COLD buttermilk (regular milk will also do! DO NOT use less than 2% fat content though. That makes sad biscuits.). Start by adding just 1 1/2 cups. Combine and see where you are at with texture. Then add the remaining milk a little at a time. This can vary every time you make this recipe depending on how you measure your flour, the humidity in the air, etc. So it’s important.
  • RE-FLOUR. Once you are working through your pat-and-fold process, you will need to keep your flour handy. Scatter a little more under the dough as you work and re-flour your hands. It’ll make your biscuit life easier. Promise.

Big fat fluffy biscuits! You can do this.

The Biggest Fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits split on a plate and spread with blueberry lemon jam.

Cutting Biscuits!

I have this set of biscuit cutters . That gives me a whole range of different sizes and I use them for all kinds of different things. Cookies, biscuits, scones, pie crust – all kinds of stuff.

You don’t need a fancy cutter though; you can flour a juice glass! I spent a LOT of years with zero kitchen tools and am semi-professional at making it work with no extra anything.

Biggest Fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuit split and heaped with blueberry lemon jam makes for an amazing breakfast.

If you are wondering about this dreamy jam … it was made by a friend in Louisville. Beautiful biscuits deserve a beautiful jam or butter, so if you can buy things locally or have jam-friends, these are the perfect vehicle for it. You can also try this easy recipe for Strawberry Butter.

The Biggest Fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits

So now you are going to print the recipe for the biggest, fattest, fluffiest all butter biscuits. AND THEN I really hope you’ll tag me on Instagram or find me on Facebook and tell me about your biscuit successes. That’s pretty much my favorite thing ever.

OH! One more thing. These biscuits are so big fat fluffy that sometimes they are lobbed over sideways when they bake. I kind of love the homemade charm that lends and I am going to split the biscuit to add jam or bacon anyway, so it’s good for me. Perfectionists beware ?

I also have other biscuit recipes! 

These Apple Biscuits with Honey Butter Glaze are my favorite way to use up bruised apples.

Greek Yogurt Cheddar Biscuits are lower in calorie and are ALSO big and fat and fluffy. If you want to try something that’s not all butter I HIGHLY recommend these.

And if you needs something that’s just incredibly decadent these Pulled Pork Breakfast Biscuits are your best bet. They were inspired by a giant beautiful item on an Asheville restaurant menu (go to Biscuit Head!), and are so southern and delicious and WORTH IT.

The Biggest, Fattest, Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits
Yield: 16 large biscuits

The Biggest, Fattest, Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

The Biggest fattest Fluffiest All Butter Biscuits are everything you ever wanted in a homemade biscuit recipe. Flaky tender layers, butter, and perfectly browned tops. The height on these babies is ridiculous.

Ingredients

  • 4 ½ cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting the surface
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup COLD unsalted butter
  • 2 cups buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Set out an un-greased baking sheet. Lining with parchment paper is optional.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
  3. Cut in the COLD butter using a pastry cutter OR a fork OR your hands. Method used is your preference! You’ll know it’s good when coarse crumbs have formed and if you grab up a fistful it sticks together pretty well.
  4. Gently fold in the buttermilk with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
  5. Generously flour a clean work surface and keep your flour nearby to dust your hands and the dough regularly.
  6. Knead the dough a bit in the bowl — it will be VERY wet and sticky!! Just do your best and make sure to incorporate any dry bits from the bottom of the bowl.
  7. Turn the dough out onto your prepared surface, flour your hands, and knead it a few times. It will get easier to work with.
  8. Pat it out into an oblong oval shape that’s about an inch thick. Fold the short sides toward the middle. This is what gives your finished biscuits their “layered” texture. Smack the folded dough down and press it back out into the oval shape. Repeat this process a total of 7 times, but on the 7th time, skip the folding and get ready to cut out your biscuits.
  9. Cut your biscuits out into 2 - 2.5" circles. If your size varies the bake time may change.
  10. Space the biscuits an inch or two apart on your prepared baking sheet.
  11. Bake for 20 minutes.
  12. Optional: brush the tops with melted butter as soon as the biscuits come out of the oven.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 244Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 302mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g

Jennifer

Thursday 25th of January 2024

I made these biscuits tonight & they came out fine. Like, good, but definitely not better than the Bon Appetit buttermilk biscuits I usually make. As one reviewer's daughter noted;"not much taste". The method is almost the same as the BA recipe, except for the additional folding/layering. The ingredient list is also identical, but the amounts are very different. Much more flour, buttermilk, & baking powder in this recipe, same amount of butter, but then less salt & sugar-- maybe that's where the problem is. Also, all the folding didn't give me the rise like the photos, though the texture was still nice. I was afraid they'd be tough, since most biscuit/scone/pie crust recipes advise you to work the dough as little as possible, but they were still pretty light. Maybe I'll try a half batch again some other time, bumping up the salt & sugar.

Laura

Monday 13th of November 2023

Thank you! After years of trying with soft flour and cold ingredients and careful handiling you have given me the true no fail biscuit recipe. The folding and laminating works ands these are fabulous.

Heather Tullos

Wednesday 15th of November 2023

So glad to hear it, Laura!

Mary

Wednesday 8th of November 2023

Made these biscuits twice already and they were just perfect…..

Heather Tullos

Wednesday 15th of November 2023

YASSSS - glad to hear it Mary! They are my faves

Patti Klauck

Sunday 17th of September 2023

Any suggestions for make ahead biscuits? Can I make and bake ahead then put in freezer and reheat before serving?

Carolyn

Friday 5th of January 2024

@Patti Klauck, I cut the biscuits, put on parchment lined baking sheet in the freezer until frozen solid, probably a couple of hours depending on your freezer. Then I transfer the individual biscuits to a large freezer bag. You can bake right from frozen as many as you want. May have to add 5 minutes to the baking time but again according to your oven. I don’t think I would do them the whole time at 425. Just watch and judge for yourself. They’re like you just made a batch.

Martha Clark

Sunday 26th of November 2023

@Patti Klauck, I put the baked biscuits in a freezer bag and use them as I needed them. I reheat them in microwave (mine has a roll/biscuit setting) or toaster oven. They don’t last long - so delicious. LOL

Sue Behrens

Saturday 9th of September 2023

I made these wonderful biscuits and used them for Strawberry Shortbread dessert. Oh my goodness sooooo good. It’s more work then drop biscuits or regular biscuits but I’m willing to do the extra work for creating a delicious product. Thank You, Sue

Heather Tullos

Sunday 10th of September 2023

So happy to hear this, Sue! Thanks so much for reaching out!