Introduction
Indulge in the deliciousness of homemade biscuits with a savory twist. These cheddar and bacon biscuits are perfectly fluffy, packed with flavor, and make an excellent addition to any meal. Whether enjoyed with breakfast or as a side dish for dinner, they are sure to impress. With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you’ll be on your way to biscuit perfection in no time.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, cold and cubed
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked and chopped bacon (approximately 8 slices)
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 40 minutes
Yield: About 12 biscuits
Follow these straightforward steps to create your delicious cheddar and bacon biscuits, and enjoy the delightful aroma that fills your kitchen while they bake! Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these biscuits are sure to become a favorite.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
Step 3: Incorporate Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, incorporate the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Add Buttermilk
Pour in the buttermilk and stir until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
Step 5: Fold in Cheese and Bacon
Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped bacon until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a thickness of about 3/4 inch.
Step 7: Cut Out Biscuits
Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits from the dough. Re-roll the scraps as needed to make additional biscuits.
Step 8: Arrange Biscuits
Place the cut biscuits onto a cast iron skillet or a 9-inch pie dish, ensuring they are close together but not touching.
Step 9: Chill Biscuits
Transfer the skillet or dish to the refrigerator and let the biscuits rest while the oven finishes preheating.
Step 10: Bake Biscuits
Once the oven is preheated, bake the biscuits for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
Step 11: Cool and Serve
Remove from the oven and allow the biscuits to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Note 1: Butter Temperature
Make sure the butter is cold and cubed for the best texture in the biscuits.
Note 2: Buttermilk Substitution
If buttermilk is not available, you can make a substitute by mixing 3/4 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes before using.
Note 3: Cheese and Bacon Variations
Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese or add herbs and spices for even more flavor.
Note 4: Storage
Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Cook techniques
Whisking Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar to ensure an even distribution of leavening agents and flavors.
Incorporating Butter
Add cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which helps create flaky layers in the biscuits.
Adding Liquid Ingredients
Pour in buttermilk and stir gently until the dough begins to pull away from the bowl. This technique ensures the dough maintains a good moisture balance.
Folding Ingredients
Carefully fold in shredded cheddar cheese and chopped bacon, ensuring they are evenly distributed without over-mixing, which can activate gluten and make biscuits tough.
Rolling Out Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out to a thickness of about 3/4 inch. This thickness helps achieve the desired biscuit rise and texture.
Cutting Biscuits
Use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut out biscuit shapes from the rolled dough. Reroll scraps as necessary to make as many biscuits as possible.
Resting Before Baking
Place cut biscuits in a skillet or pie dish close to one another and allow them to rest in the refrigerator. This helps them hold their shape during baking.
Baking
Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and bake biscuits for 15-18 minutes until golden brown, ensuring a crispy exterior while remaining soft inside.
FAQ
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Just add a pinch of salt to maintain flavor balance.
Can I substitute buttermilk?
Yes, you can make a buttermilk substitute using milk and vinegar or lemon juice—simply add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 3/4 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
How should I store leftover biscuits?
Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to one week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
Can I add other ingredients to the biscuits?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other ingredients like herbs, spices, or different cheeses to customize the flavor.
Why did my biscuits not rise?
If your biscuits did not rise, it could be due to expired leavening agents, overmixing the dough, or not using chilled butter. Ensure all ingredients are fresh and work quickly to maintain cold temperatures.
Conclusion
The combination of cheddar cheese and bacon in these biscuits creates a savory delight that is sure to please any palate. Their flaky texture and rich flavors make them an excellent addition to breakfast or as a side for any meal. Easy to prepare and bake, these biscuits are perfect for serving warm from the oven or enjoying later.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Cheddar and Herb Biscuits
Add fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or chives to the dough for an aromatic twist.
Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits
Incorporate diced jalapeños and a bit of extra cheddar for a spicy kick that’s perfect for snacking.
Bacon and Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Use the biscuits as a base for breakfast sandwiches, layering them with scrambled eggs and additional bacon.
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
Mix garlic powder or minced garlic into the dough for a delicious garlic-flavored biscuit that’s ideal for pairing with soups.
Bacon Blue Cheese Biscuits
Substitute blue cheese for cheddar and add bacon for a bold, flavorful variation that’s perfect for special occasions.
