There is nothing quite like the aroma of warm cinnamon and toasted butter wafting through the kitchen on a slow weekend morning. These biscuits take a classic comfort food and elevate it with the rich, nutty depth of browned butter and a sparkling cinnamon-sugar finish that is sure to delight the whole family.

Recipe Details

  • Yields: 9-10 biscuits
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 40 min

Ingredients

  • 1 stick (½ cup / 113g) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
  • 2½ teaspoons (12g) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon (6g) fine sea salt
  • ½ tablespoon (4g) ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons (150ml) cold whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons (½ stick / 57g) unsalted butter (for glaze)
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) ground cinnamon (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Start by melting one stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking and swirling the pan until the butter foams up, turns a deep golden brown, and begins to smell toasted and nutty. Transfer the liquid butter to a bowl and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until it has completely solidified.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, baking powder, salt, and half a tablespoon of cinnamon.
  3. Slice the chilled browned butter into small cubes. Incorporate the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the cold milk. Use a fork to stir the mixture gently just until a shaggy dough begins to form.
  5. Move the dough onto a surface dusted with flour. Knead the dough lightly 4 or 5 times, then flatten it into a rectangular shape. Fold the dough into thirds, similar to a letter, then turn it 90 degrees and press it out again. Repeat this folding and rotating process three more times to create layers.
  6. After the final fold, shape the dough into a square roughly one inch thick. Using a floured knife, trim the edges to ensure an even rise and cut the square into 9 equal portions. Any leftover scraps can be gathered to form one or two additional biscuits.
  7. Heat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the biscuits close together—touching slightly—in a buttered skillet or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops have turned a beautiful golden brown.
  9. While the biscuits are baking, prepare the glaze by melting 4 tablespoons of butter. In a separate small bowl, stir together the 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
  10. Once the biscuits are removed from the oven, brush the tops generously with the melted butter and immediately dip or sprinkle them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Serve while they are still warm.

Tips for Success

To get the most height out of your biscuits, make sure the browned butter is fully chilled and solid before mixing it into the flour. When placing them on the baking sheet, keeping the biscuits close together helps them rise upward rather than spreading out, resulting in a taller, fluffier treat.

Whether enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee or as a special afternoon snack, these golden biscuits are a wonderful way to brighten any day.