Grandma Barb’s Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
*Tried & True* Southern, from-scratch buttermilk biscuits that bake up tender and fluffy! So easy to make!”
Visual learner? Watch me make Grandma Barb’s buttermilk biscuits from start to finish!
In a few days, I’ll be going to visit my grandma Barb. I haven’t seen her since Thanksgiving, so she is well overdue for a dose of my loud singing throughout her house, trying to convince her to get a boo-thang, and raiding her cookbook collection.
Grandma’s house is always the best!
Today I came across her recipe for cheddar biscuits and had to share them! Only I’ll be sharing the non-cheddar version which is her regular buttermilk biscuit recipe. Everybody loves my grandma’s biscuits! They are on a whole different level of cloud-like softness!
Don’t worry we’ll get around to the cheddar version another day.
Today is all about these fluffy, tender, flaky, buttery, from-scratch buttermilk biscuits! This is what good Southern meals are made of. I mean, can you think of anything else that is as Southern as a buttermilk biscuit, besides sweet tea??
I have several buttermilk biscuit recipes on my blog but these…yeah….these will always have a special place in my heart.
My grandma Barb’s biscuits just do something for my soul. They make me feel like all is right with the world when I make them. And the way my crazy week has been set up, I need me a little dose of grandma’s biscuits!
Although I know they won’t come out as good as hers and the only way to truly get my fix is to make my way to her table. She has this special way of adding a dose of oomph to her recipes that I can’t seem to replicate. Maybe that comes with age.
I know what a blessing is it sitting at her table and watching her whip up meals. Soaking it all in and basking in that special smile she has when she is in her kingdom, the kitchen.
If you are new to making biscuits, this recipe is great for beginners! It’s as old-fashioned as it gets and the finished product is incredible!
They are light and fluffy thanks to White Lily flour. I swear that flour makes the best biscuits but really any all-purpse flour will do!
Here are a few tips on how to make the Best Southern Buttermilk Biscuits!
- Think COLD: Make sure all of your ingredients are cold, even the bowl if you can! Biscuit dough needs to be super cold when it goes into the oven for the BEST biscuits.
- Work Fast: Work quickly to make sure the ingredients stay cold.
- Don’t add too much flour: The dough will be a sticky mess when you first turn it out onto a floured surface. Don’t be tempted to throw on a bunch of flour. The less flour you can get away with the better! The dough should be a tad bit wet and sticky, yet still easy to manage and not sticking like crazy.
- Don’t twist the cutter: When cutting out biscuits, just go straight down. Don’t twist and twerk the cutter, mkay?
- Use FULL-FAT ERRYTHANG: Now is not the time for fat-free buttermilk or margarine, Sista!
- Don’t be scared of the sugar: Seriously, a tad bit of sugar gives a good level of flavor and avoids having salty biscuits. Don’t worry it won’t be sweet at all.
- PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE: Making biscuits is an art. It’s kinda hard to teach because it’s all about “the feel and look” of the dough. Kinda like riding a bike. You just gotta get the feel for it and then you never really forget. If you don’t get it right the first time, keep trying! I promise you’ll get it.
You got it? You got this!
Happy biscuit making!!!
Get the Recipe: Grandma's Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups White Lily Flour + more for work surface
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter-flavored shortening, cold
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter + more for brushing, cold
- 1 cup buttermilk, cold
- 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise, milk or heavy whipping cream, cold (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and sugar.
- Cut in butter-flavored shortening with a pastry cutter.
- Grate in butter, tossing occasionally.
- Stir in buttermilk until dough is wet and sticky.
- Generously flour a work surface.
- Turn dough out onto floured surface.
- Sprinkle a little flour on the dough and your hands and begin to gently knead and fold the dough.
- Add more flour as needed, but not too much, just enough so that the dough is manageable. Wet dough makes the best biscuits!
- Fold the dough over several times.(This will create layers.)
- Pat the dough out into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
- Dip the biscuit cutter into flour and cut out the biscuits. (do not twist the cutter)
- Place biscuits on pan, with the sides touching.
- Brush tops of biscuits with a very light coating of mayonnaise.
- Bake for 14 minutes or until tops are golden. (For a dark golden color, flip the oven to a low broil for the last 2 minutes. Be sure to keep your eyes on it at all times)
- Remove from oven and brush with butter.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Work Fast: Work quickly to make sure the ingredients stay cold.
Don't add too much flour: The dough will be a sticky mess when you first turn it out onto a floured surface. Don't be tempted to throw on a bunch of flour. The less flour you can get away with the better! The dough should be a tad bit wet and sticky, yet still easy to manage and not sticking like crazy.
Don't twist the cutter: When cutting out biscuits, just go straight down. Don't twist and twerk the cutter, mkay?
Use FULL-FAT ERRYTHANG: Now is not the time for fat-free buttermilk or margarine, Sista!
Don't be scared of the sugar: Seriously, a tad bit of sugar gives a good level of flavor and avoids having salty biscuits. Don't worry it won't be sweet at all.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE: Making biscuits is an art. It's kinda hard to teach because it's all about "the feel and look" of the dough. Kinda like riding a bike. You just gotta get the feel for it and then you never really forget. If you don't get it right the first time, keep trying! I promise you'll get it.
Want more biscuits?! Check these out!
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits #1
I just wanted to say I enjoy your videos so much you are such a joy to watch.
Thanks so much love!
Hi Monique I love your blog and your YouTube channel! Reading about your saying that your yummy biscuits don’t compare to your Grandma Barb’s biscuits reminded me of something my mom used to say to me. She grew up in the south and was hands down the best southern cook around! When I would attempt to recreate something she made but it didn’t turn out quite like hers she would tell me, “It’s because you haven’t learned how to hold your mouth right when you’re doing it.” So the next time you are at your Grandma’s house and she is making those biscuits be sure to pay attention to how she’s holding her mouth. 😉
Hahahaha! I believe it!
Oh man, I thought my Granny was the only one that said that!
Hi Monique,
My name is Sheneequa Bishop and I am 23 years old. I want to become a great cook. Not as a career but as a good wife and mother someday. I would like to know if you could share some tips on how to be confident in the kitchen. I love to cook and eat. I love you and your YouTube channel. I really admire how confident you are in the kitchen. I hope to here from you soon.
Thanks so much Sheneequa! I think that would make a great video!
Hey Sheneequa, I started really learning to cook when I was your age. I think the key is to have fun and not be afraid to make mistakes. Even today (I’m 40 now) I still make mistakes but I don’t beat myself up about it. I love cooking for my family and I get joy from seeing how excited they are to eat a home cooked meal. I missed the opportunity to learn from my grandmother so Monique is my go to for delicious recipes that remind me of her.
It’s really just practice! And a good or new recipe to expand your thinking every now & then doesn’t hurt. My Grandmother was also a great cook, nothing went to waste, always using leftovers if there was any. (leftover biscuits & fired apples became apple stack pie for lunch). We never really got a special dessert unless it was a special day, birthdays, Holloween homemade treats & holidays!
Ok so when I was making these, I felt like the dough was a little tough. So I started complaining and regretting my decision to make these. But then they came out of the oven and they were tall, light, fluffy, and then I tasted them…they are delicious! I ate 3 of them even though I was stuffed but it was so worth it. Thank you for this recipe! It’s a keeper!
Thanks so much for sharing love!
I just love ever video you put out .you helps me to cook girl
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks, Candace!
Looks delicious! Am sure it tastes as delicious as it looks. I am a regular visitor to your website and love your posts.