Homemade butter biscuits

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and the sugar.

Step 3

Add the butter and work it into the flour with either your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles a coarse crumble.

Step 4

Add the milk and cream. Stir it in with a fork, then dump out the biscuit mixture onto the counter and knead it 2 or 3 times til it comes together.

Step 5

Press the biscuit dough to 1 inch thick on a very lightly floured surface. Cut into four pieces and stack them to make a tower.

Step 6

Press out the dough again until it's 1 inch thick and cut out about 8 circles with a 2.5 " round cookie cutter, if you can. Press the scraps together gently enough to cut out the rest of the biscuits. You should have 10 to 12 biscuits, depending on how thick the dough is.

Step 7

Place the biscuits on the baking sheet. Brush with a little milk and sprinkle with turbinado (if using).

Step 8

Bake until the edges and tops of the biscuits are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve fresh.