what makes biscuits rise and fluffy

Making fluffy biscuits doesn’t need to be left to the professionals. So I have 9 secrets to fluffy biscuits that will help you rock out your next batch like a pro.

Last year when visiting Nashville I took a biscuit making class from an Emmy winning chef who wrote a documentary on the history of the Southern biscuit. Yes Emmy winning. Let’s just say I was in sitting there in awe.

So while she taught us how to make biscuits, she also taught some of the secrets of what makes southern biscuits better than all the rest.

I’ve been using those secrets to make my own homemade buttermilk biscuits and self rising flour biscuits perfectly tall and fluffy. There are definitely some tips, or secrets, to what make a biscuit so darn irrestible. So here are my go to 9 secrets to fluffy biscuits….

The key to making great biscuits is to use cold butter. We dice up the butter and then refrigerate it until ready to use. Cold butter will produce the fluffiest layers in your biscuits. Do not over-mix – once liquids touch the flour, mix just until dry ingredients are moistened.
what makes biscuits rise and fluffy

Secret to Fluffy Biscuits #1: Use cold butter

what makes biscuits rise and fluffy

Cold butter is key to making your biscuits fluffy. Warm butter will be absorbed into the flour and prevent them becoming all fluffy. Its similar to making pie crust. Cold butter will not be fully absorbed by the flour which means you will have small chunks visible in the dough. Those pieces when they are in the oven will melt, and the water in the butter will steam causing the layers of flour to push apart creating flaky layers.

So remember always use COLD butter. I like to use a pastry cutter, as well to keep my hands out of the mixture to prevent my hands from warming up the butter causing it to melt.

Secret To Fluffy Biscuits #4: Keep It Fresh

what makes biscuits rise and fluffy

Leavening agents that is. Biscuits rely on baking powder and baking soda. So if you haven’t used yours in awhile, they may have expired.

If they aren’t fresh then they won’t create a reaction (aka bubbles). No bubbles = no rise.

To test your baking powder: Mix a little with hot water to see if it bubbles. If it doesn’t throw it out.

To test your baking soda: Mix a little with an acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to see if it bubbles. If it doesn’t throw it out.

How to Make Perfect, Fluffy Biscuits EVERY TIME! (3 ingredients: self-rising flour, milk & butter)

FAQ

What is the secret to fluffy biscuits?

For soft and fluffy biscuits, blend the liquid and dry ingredients just until the dough “resembles cottage cheese,” Sonoskus says. This stops you from activating too much gluten in the flour and ending up with a tougher biscuit that doesn’t rise as high.

What ingredient makes biscuits rise?

While biscuits receive some leavening power from chemical sources — baking powder and baking soda — the difference between serviceable and greatness comes from the extra rise that steam provides. In order to generate steam, the oven must be set at a minimum of 425 degrees for at least 10 minutes prior to baking.

How do you get a biscuit to rise higher?

Bake them close to each other. Biscuits are an exception to this rule: Placing them close to one another on your baking sheet actually helps them push each other up, as they impede each other from spreading outward and instead puff up skywards.

Why are my biscuits not light and fluffy?

Overworking (or Underworking) the Dough The biscuits will be hard and tough if you stir the dough too much. They will have a floury, uneven texture if you don’t mix enough. Our Test Kitchen cracked the code: Stir the dough 15 times for the perfect consistency and texture.

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