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3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

4.8

(6)

Several threeingredient biscuits on a cooling rack with one of them slathered in jam.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Jennifer Ophir

Here, we make tender, flaky biscuits with just 3 ingredients. It's as easy as could be—and the total time is just 22 minutes. Serve them for brunch or alongside a festive holiday dinner.

In Epi's 3-Ingredient Recipes series, we show you how to make great food with just three ingredients (plus staples like oil, salt, and pepper).

Cooks' Note

If you don't have self-rising flour, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt as a substitute.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    22 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 10–12 biscuits

Ingredients

2 cups self-rising flour, plus more
1/4 cup chilled vegetable shortening
2/3 cup buttermilk

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Position rack in middle of oven; preheat to 500°F. Grease a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick vegetable oil spray or butter.

    Step 2

    Place 2 cups flour in a large bowl. Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter or 2 butter knives until pea-sized lumps form. Stir in buttermilk until a shaggy dough forms.

    Step 3

    On a lightly floured work surface, turn out dough and gently knead 2–3 times until dough just comes together, being careful to not overwork. Roll out dough to a 1/2" thickness; cut with a 2" biscuit cutter or small glass that has been dipped in flour.

    Step 4

    Transfer biscuits to prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

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