Few things in life are as comforting as a warm, buttery biscuit straight out of the oven. But when you add a touch of honey to the mix, you take things to a whole new level. Honey butter biscuit recipes bring together the rich, savory taste of butter with the natural sweetness of honey, creating a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a quick snack.
Whether you’re looking for a classic, fluffy biscuit or want to experiment with variations like cheddar honey butter biscuits or cinnamon-spiced honey butter biscuits, this guide will walk you through the process. From selecting the best ingredients to mastering the perfect glaze, you’ll learn everything you need to make the most delicious honey butter biscuits at home.
Table of Contents
The Best Honey Butter Biscuit Recipes – A Golden, Fluffy Delight
- Total Time: 27-30 minutes
- Yield: 12 biscuits 1x
Description
Nothing beats the comforting taste of a warm, buttery biscuit fresh from the oven. Add a touch of honey, and you get a perfectly sweet, flaky treat that melts in your mouth. These Homemade Honey Butter Biscuits are golden on the outside, soft on the inside, and infused with the rich flavors of butter and honey. Whether served with breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish, they are sure to be a hit. Try them with a drizzle of extra honey or a pat of warm butter for the ultimate indulgence!
Ingredients
For the Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or self-rising flour, see notes)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (omit if using self-rising flour)
- ½ teaspoon salt (reduce if using salted butter)
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed or grated
- ¾ cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
- 2 tablespoons honey
For the Honey Butter Glaze:
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Incorporate the butter: Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Add honey and liquid: Stir in the honey and gradually add the buttermilk, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Shape the biscuits: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and gently pat it into a ¾-inch thick rectangle. Use a round biscuit cutter (or a glass) to cut out biscuits. Do not twist the cutter—this helps the biscuits rise properly.
Bake: Place biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they touch slightly for softer edges. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Make the honey butter glaze: While biscuits are baking, mix the melted butter and honey in a small bowl.
Glaze the biscuits: Once biscuits are out of the oven, immediately brush the tops with the honey butter glaze for extra flavor and shine.
Serve warm with extra honey or butter if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Flour Options: If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and reduce salt to ¼ teaspoon.
- Cold Butter Tip: For extra flaky biscuits, freeze the butter and grate it directly into the flour.
- Substitutes for Buttermilk: Make homemade buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to ¾ cup milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Flavor Variations: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon for warmth or ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese for a savory-sweet twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: sweet sensations
- Method: Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit~190 kcal
- Calories: ~190 kcal
- Sugar: ~5g
- Fat: ~10g
- Carbohydrates: ~22g
- Protein: ~3g
Key Ingredients for Honey Butter Biscuits
To make the best honey butter biscuit recipes, selecting the right ingredients is crucial. Each component plays a role in achieving that perfect balance of fluffiness, flavor, and richness. Let’s break down the essential ingredients and their best substitutes.
1. Flour Options: All-Purpose vs. Self-Rising
Flour is the base of any good biscuit. Choosing the right one can make a big difference in texture.
All-Purpose Flour (AP Flour)
- The most commonly used flour for biscuits.
- Requires the addition of baking powder and salt to help the biscuits rise.
- Best for controlling the exact amount of leavening in your recipe.
Self-Rising Flour
- Already contains baking powder and salt, making it more convenient.
- Produces lighter, fluffier biscuits with less measuring.
- If using self-rising flour, reduce the added baking powder and salt in your recipe.
Best Flour for Honey Butter Biscuits?
- For soft and fluffy biscuits → Use self-rising flour.
- For more control over rise and texture → Use all-purpose flour with added baking powder.
Substitute: If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by adding 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt per cup of all-purpose flour.
2. The Role of Butter: Salted vs. Unsalted
Butter adds richness, flakiness, and flavor to your biscuits. But should you use salted or unsalted butter?
Unsalted Butter
- Gives better control over the biscuit’s salt content.
- Best for baking since salt content varies between different brands of salted butter.
Salted Butter
- Adds extra flavor and richness.
- If using salted butter, reduce the added salt in your recipe.
Cold Butter = Flaky Biscuits
- Keep butter cold before mixing it into the dough.
- Cold butter creates tiny steam pockets as it bakes, leading to flaky layers.
- Pro Tip: Freeze butter and grate it directly into the flour for easier mixing!
Substitute: You can use margarine or vegetable shortening, but they won’t give the same rich, buttery taste.
3. Choosing the Right Honey for Maximum Flavor
Honey is the star ingredient in honey butter biscuit recipes, adding natural sweetness and depth of flavor. Different types of honey can influence the taste of your biscuits.
Best Honey Varieties for Biscuits
Honey Type | Flavor Profile | Best Use in Biscuits |
---|---|---|
Clover Honey | Mild, sweet | Classic honey butter biscuits |
Wildflower Honey | Floral, slightly tangy | Adds complex flavors |
Orange Blossom Honey | Citrusy, fragrant | Pairs well with cinnamon biscuits |
Buckwheat Honey | Dark, molasses-like | Great for rich, hearty biscuits |
How Much Honey to Use?
- For a subtle honey flavor, add 2-3 tablespoons to the biscuit dough.
- For extra sweetness, increase to 4 tablespoons.
Substitute: You can use maple syrup or agave nectar, but they may alter the biscuit texture slightly.
4. The Liquid: Milk, Buttermilk, or Heavy Cream?
The liquid in biscuit dough binds the ingredients together and adds moisture. Your choice affects both texture and flavor.
Milk (Whole or 2%)
- A good all-purpose option for biscuit dough.
- Creates a neutral, slightly soft texture.
Buttermilk
- Adds a slight tang and enhances tenderness.
- The acidity reacts with baking powder, helping biscuits rise higher.
- Results in fluffier, more flavorful biscuits.
Heavy Cream
- Makes denser, richer biscuits.
- Adds more fat for an extra buttery flavor.
Which Liquid is Best for Honey Butter Biscuits?
- For fluffy, slightly tangy biscuits → Use buttermilk.
- For classic biscuits with a mild flavor → Use whole milk.
- For a richer, denser biscuit → Use heavy cream.
Substitute: No buttermilk? Make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
5. Sweeteners & Flavor Enhancers
To enhance the sweetness and depth of honey butter biscuits, you can add:
- Brown Sugar → Adds a mild caramel-like sweetness.
- Cinnamon or Nutmeg → Adds warmth and depth.
- Vanilla Extract → Complements the honey’s natural sweetness.
Salt: A Must-Have Ingredient
Even in sweet biscuits, salt is essential!
- It balances the flavors and enhances both the honey and butter.
- Use fine sea salt for even distribution.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Honey Butter Biscuits
1. Preparing the Dough: Mixing and Kneading Tips
The key to soft and flaky honey butter biscuits lies in how you mix and handle the dough. Follow these steps for the best results:
- Use Cold Butter – Cold butter creates pockets of steam in the dough, making biscuits extra flaky. Dice it into small cubes before mixing.
- Measure Ingredients Accurately – Biscuit dough is sensitive to moisture levels, so use a kitchen scale or proper measuring cups.
- Avoid Overmixing – Stir just until the dough comes together. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough biscuits.
Basic Biscuit Dough Recipe
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
All-Purpose Flour | 2 cups |
Baking Powder | 1 tbsp |
Salt | ½ tsp |
Cold Butter | ½ cup (cubed) |
Milk (or Buttermilk) | ¾ cup |
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the milk, stirring until a soft dough forms.
2. Cutting and Shaping for Fluffy Biscuits
- Roll Out Lightly – On a floured surface, gently roll the dough to about ¾-inch thickness.
- Use a Sharp Cutter – A biscuit cutter (or a round glass) helps create clean edges. Don’t twist the cutter, as this can seal the layers and prevent proper rising.
- Keep the Scraps – Re-roll leftover dough carefully to avoid making biscuits too dense.
3. Baking to Golden Perfection
For the best results, follow these baking tips:
- Preheat the Oven – Bake biscuits at 425°F (220°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Use Parchment Paper – This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Check for Doneness – Biscuits should be golden on top and flaky inside.
Conclusion
Making honey butter biscuit recipes at home is easier than you think, and the results are absolutely worth it. With just a few simple ingredients and the right techniques, you can enjoy warm, buttery biscuits that are perfectly sweet and savory.
Whether you’re enjoying them with breakfast, as a side dish for dinner, or simply with a cup of tea, these biscuits are guaranteed to impress. Try experimenting with flavors like cheddar, cinnamon, or jalapeño for a fun twist.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and get baking—because nothing beats the irresistible taste of homemade honey butter biscuits!
Check out this Creamy Chicken and Dumpling recipe—perfect to pair with biscuits!