Ingredients
For the Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- ¾ cup milk, cold, or buttermilk for extra tenderness
For the Garlic Butter:
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt, or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, garlic powder, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Add Cheese and Milk: Stir in the freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Pour in the cold milk (or buttermilk if using) and gently mix until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Shape the Biscuits: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can lightly pat them down if preferred.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops are golden and the biscuits are cooked through.
- Make Garlic Butter: While the biscuits are baking, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, flaky sea salt, and Old Bay seasoning in a small bowl, stirring well to mix.
- Brush Biscuits: As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the tops of each biscuit to infuse them with extra flavor and a glossy finish.
- Serve Warm: Serve the Cheddar Bay Biscuits warm for the best texture and taste. They pair wonderfully with seafood, soups, salads, or as a savory snack on their own.
Notes
- For extra tender biscuits, use buttermilk instead of regular milk.
- Shredding your own cheddar cheese ensures better melt and flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Use cold butter for flakier biscuits by creating small pockets of butter within the dough.
- Brush garlic butter immediately after baking to allow it to soak into the warm biscuits.
- Old Bay seasoning adds a nice subtle spiced flavor but can be omitted if unavailable or undesired.
- Store leftover biscuits in an airtight container and reheat gently in the oven to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
