There’s nothing quite like a warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven biscuit, especially when it’s made with buttery dough that fluffs up perfectly. This Butter Biscuit Dough recipe is incredibly simple and quick to prepare, making it the perfect go-to for any meal that needs a comforting, flaky side. Whether you’re making biscuits for breakfast, a holiday meal, or as a side to dinner, this dough creates the ideal texture – light, tender, and irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Buttery Goodness – The butter adds rich flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Perfect Fluff – Achieve the ideal biscuit height with this easy dough.
Quick & Simple – Just a few ingredients and easy steps to perfect biscuits every time.
Versatile – Use the dough to make plain biscuits, or get creative with mix-ins like herbs or cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ¾ cup milk (or buttermilk for tangy flavor)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. These ingredients form the base of your biscuit dough.
Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It’s okay if the butter pieces are still a little visible – these will create the flaky layers!
Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour in the milk (and vanilla extract, if using) and gently mix until the dough begins to come together. Avoid over-mixing; the dough should be slightly sticky.
Form the Biscuits
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough a couple of times to bring it together. Pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Using a biscuit cutter or a round glass, cut out circles of dough. Re-roll any remaining dough to make additional biscuits.
Bake
Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are just touching each other for soft sides. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown on top.
Serve
Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. These biscuits are perfect on their own or with a pat of butter, jam, or honey.

Nutritional Information (Per Biscuit)
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 22g
- Protein: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
Tips for Success
- Use Cold Butter: Cold butter is the secret to flaky biscuits. Don’t skip this step!
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough can lead to dense biscuits. Mix just until it comes together.
- Add Mix-Ins: Cheese, garlic powder, or herbs can be added for a flavorful twist on classic biscuits.
- Brush with Butter: For an extra golden, rich finish, brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter before baking.
Why This Recipe Works
This biscuit dough creates light, flaky biscuits that are buttery and tender. The key to great biscuits is in the butter and the gentle handling of the dough. This simple recipe gives you just what you need to make biscuits that are the perfect balance of fluffy and delicious.
Whether you’re baking these biscuits for a holiday spread, a comforting breakfast, or as an accompaniment to dinner, this Butter Biscuit Dough recipe is sure to deliver perfect results every time. With minimal ingredients and steps, you’ll be enjoying fresh, homemade biscuits in no time.
Butter Biscuit Dough – Flaky, Buttery, and Easy to Make
8
servings10
minutes10
minutes160
kcalThese Butter Biscuits are light, flaky, and rich in flavor thanks to the butter. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have golden, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits in under 30 minutes. Perfect for breakfast, dinner sides, or as a snack, these biscuits deliver the perfect balance of softness and buttery crunch.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
¾ cup milk (or buttermilk for tangy flavor)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. - Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. These ingredients form the base of your biscuit dough. - Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It’s okay if the butter pieces are still a little visible – these will create the flaky layers! - Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour in the milk (and vanilla extract, if using) and gently mix until the dough begins to come together. Avoid over-mixing; the dough should be slightly sticky. - Form the Biscuits
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough a couple of times to bring it together. Pat it into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Using a biscuit cutter or a round glass, cut out circles of dough. Re-roll any remaining dough to make additional biscuits. - Bake
Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are just touching each other for soft sides. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown on top. - Serve
Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. These biscuits are perfect on their own or with a pat of butter, jam, or honey.
Notes
- Use Cold Butter: Cold butter is the secret to flaky biscuits. Don’t skip this step!
Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough can lead to dense biscuits. Mix just until it comes together.
Add Mix-Ins: Cheese, garlic powder, or herbs can be added for a flavorful twist on classic biscuits.
Brush with Butter: For an extra golden, rich finish, brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter before baking.