Light and Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits

This recipe replaces some of the usual all-purpose flour with extra-fine Swans Down® Cake Flour (made with fine winter wheat and sifted 27 times), which results in a light and flaky, melt-in-your-mouth biscuit. Serve the hot biscuits slathered with butter at any family meal from breakfast onwards. Drizzle some cane syrup on a hot buttered biscuit and you’ve got dessert.

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  • I appreciate the vegan alternatives you have provided. I am 46 years old and grew up cooking with Swans Down and I have now learned to customize my old recipes to accommodate my daughter’s vegan lifestyle. Thanks Swams Down

  • 1st time I made these, I forgot to fold dough in half and roll again. They came out flat and spread out. 2nd time I did the second roll and they were wonderful.

    • Hi Ercie, A note from the Swans Down Kitchen, Coconut yogurt or other nut yogurt as well as oat milk or nut milk would be a good vegan substitutions for buttermilk. Happy Baking!

    • Hi Susan, We love hearing from our Swans Down users. This recipe was formulated using Baking Powder vs Baking Soda. Baking Powder was the preferred because it will activate in any liquid and will product a lighter, flakier biscuit. Thanks for the question and Happy Baking!

    • Hi Alex, You can use 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes before using. Or add 1 3/4 teaspoons of cream of tartar to 1 cup whole milk. Visit our Baking Tips section for other helpful baking tips!

    • Hi Mary, you can make these without a food processor. Just whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl and cut in the butter using two knives or a pastry blending tool, and then carefully blend in the buttermilk with a fork. Just be careful to not "overmix." Happy baking!