KFC Biscuits (Restaurant Copycat)

Nutrition Facts

Instructions

1. 1Preheat your oven to 450°F and position the rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave it ungreased.
2. 2Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl, whisking together until evenly distributed, about 30 seconds.
3. 3Add cold butter cubes and shortening to the flour mixture. Cut the fats into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips, working quickly until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of fat remaining, about 2-3 minutes. Keep everything cold to ensure maximum flakiness.
4. 4Pour cold buttermilk and heavy cream into the flour mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula just until the dough comes together and no dry flour remains visible, about 30 seconds. The dough should look slightly shaggy - avoid overmixing.
5. 5Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently pat or knead the dough 3-4 times just to bring it together into a cohesive mass. Pat or roll the dough to ½ to ¾ inch thickness.
6. 6Cut biscuits using a 2 to 2.5-inch round biscuit cutter, pressing straight down without twisting to ensure even rising, until you've cut as many rounds as possible. Gather scraps gently, pat together once, and cut additional biscuits.
7. 7Arrange biscuits on the prepared baking sheet with edges touching or nearly touching - this helps them rise upward and support each other during baking.
8. 8Bake until the tops turn golden brown and the biscuits have risen considerably, about 12-15 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent over-browning.
9. 9Mix melted butter with honey if desired. Brush the hot biscuits generously with the butter or butter-honey mixture immediately upon removing from the oven for that signature glossy KFC appearance.
10. 10Serve warm for the most authentic restaurant experience, when the exterior is slightly crisp and the interior is fluffy and tender.