Perfect Golden Brown Crusty Biscuits

An Easy, Crowd-Pleasing Recipe That Will Instantly Become a Family Favorite

There’s something truly comforting about the smell of freshly baked biscuits coming out of the oven — warm, buttery, and perfectly golden. These crusty biscuits are simple to make, wonderfully flaky inside, and crisp on the outside. They come together quickly with just a few pantry staples, making them the perfect addition to any breakfast, brunch, or dinner table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients — all-purpose flour, butter, milk, and egg are all you need.
• Crispy and golden on the outside, yet soft and flaky inside.
• No mixer needed — mixing by hand gives you the perfect texture every time.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 ½ cups (325 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon (14 g) granulated sugar (optional, for a lightly sweet flavor)
• ½ cup (113 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• ¾ cup (180 ml) milk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

For the Topping (Egg Wash):

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and position the rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if using) until evenly combined.
3. Cut in the Butter:
   Add the cold butter pieces to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with small pea-sized bits of butter. This step helps create that flaky texture.
4. Add the Wet Ingredients:
   In a separate measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the milk and beaten egg. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a rubber spatula or your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing — the dough should be slightly sticky and soft.
5. Shape the Dough:
   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently 3–4 times to bring it together, then pat or roll it out to about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick.
6. Cut Out the Biscuits:
   Using a lightly floured 2½-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out as many biscuits as possible. Gather the scraps, gently re-roll, and continue cutting until all dough is used.
7. Prepare for Baking:
   Arrange the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk for the topping, then brush the tops of the biscuits lightly with the egg wash. This step helps them bake up beautifully golden and crisp.
8. Bake:
   Bake in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes, or until the biscuits are puffed, golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and Serve:
   Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm with butter, honey, or your favorite jam.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat: To restore crispness, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes.
• Freeze: Once cooled, biscuits can be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

These biscuits are perfect alongside:

• Creamy soups or hearty stews
• Fried or baked chicken
• Scrambled eggs or omelets for breakfast
• Fresh fruit and whipped butter for a cozy snack