Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Ensure your butter and buttermilk are properly chilled – this is crucial for achieving flaky layers in your homemade biscuits.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents for uniform rise throughout your biscuits.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Cut the cold butter into small cubes, then add to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. These butter pockets are essential for creating flaky layers in your easy biscuit recipe.

Step 4: Add the Buttermilk

Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir gently with a fork just until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing – it’s perfectly fine if the dough seems slightly dry with some loose flour remaining at the bottom of the bowl.

Step 5: Form and Cut the Biscuits

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat into a rectangle about 1-inch thick. Fold the dough in thirds like a letter, then rotate 90 degrees and pat down again. Repeat this folding process 2-3 times total to create layers. Finally, pat the dough to about 3/4-inch thickness and cut straight down with your biscuit cutter, without twisting (twisting seals the edges and prevents proper rising).

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the cut biscuits on your prepared baking sheet with edges touching for soft sides or 1-inch apart for crispier edges. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown on top and fully risen. For an extra touch, brush the tops with melted butter right after baking.