Make Ahead

Cream Biscuits

by:
December  7, 2010
4.3
15 Ratings
Cream Biscuits
Photo by James Ransom
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 15 minutes
  • Makes 8 biscuits
Author Notes

These biscuits have been a staple in our household for years. In The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, Marion Cunningham writes that she learned to make them at one of James Beard’s summer cooking classes in Seaside, Oregon. Instead of buttermilk or regular milk, the recipe calls for heavy cream, which makes for a super simple mixing process and ensures tender biscuits every time. A note to those anticipating the savory tang of a traditional buttermilk biscuit -- these are more like a rich, savory scone. —Merrill Stubbs

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar 
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • Melted butter
Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 425°F. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar in a mixing bowl, stirring with a fork to blend.
  2. Slowly add the cream to the dry ingredients, stirring constantly, until the dough holds together. Knead gently on a lightly floured surface for about 1 minute. Pat it into 1/2-inch thick round and use a sharp knife to it cut into 8 wedges.
  3. Arrange the wedges 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet and brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Serve warm with plenty of butter and/or honey.
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42 Reviews

Rebecca H.
Rebecca H. November 15, 2022
This is the recipe I go to for making both strawberry shortcakes and for biscuits topping in Chicken Pot Pie. I omit the melted butter when making pot pie biscuit topping. But, it is the ultimate comfort food when cooking for someone who's recovering from illness or surgery and every time I make it, the family I've made it for tell me it's the best chicken pie they've ever had. And it's always about the homemade biscuits on top!
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. November 16, 2022
Rebecca, thank you for sharing. What a great idea!
 
betty888
betty888 December 8, 2019
I was craving biscuits on this cold Sunday morning. These came together in a flash and are so delicious!
 
Renée R.
Renée R. January 13, 2018
I woke up this morning, ready for my weekend slice of toast for breakfast. I always keep a homemade loaf of bread in the freezer. Well, with the holidays and all, somehow there was no bread. I was instantly depressed. Decided to peruse Food52 for biscuit recipes and happened upon this one. Made it exactly as written and OH MAMA!!! These are melt in your mouth perfection. Now that I'm sustained and satiated I can face taking down my Christmas decorations. Thank you, Merrill. Job well done!
 
LizCo77
LizCo77 November 27, 2016
These are so simple and so delicious, it's remarkable. I followed the recipe exactly. Thank you for making me look good on Thanksgiving!
 
Wanda B.
Wanda B. June 23, 2016
Never mind on the butter.........I should have read the whole recipe...It's just for brushing on. Silly ME!!!
 
Wanda B.
Wanda B. June 23, 2016
How much butter?
 
Reed K.
Reed K. March 4, 2016
will definitely be making, with the addition of currants (I love a cream current scone with some milky tea...)
 
Kerry G.
Kerry G. October 18, 2015
...and 2nd time, I used 1.5c flour, and reduced salt by half as I only had 250 ml cream
 
Kerry G.
Kerry G. October 11, 2015
Perfect! I made these because I needed to use up extra cream. Now I will be buying extra cream so that I need to make these ;-)
 
liz
liz September 11, 2015
These look terrific. Could I use plain kefir instead of cream? It works great in pancakes etc.
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. September 11, 2015
I haven't tried it so I'm not sure how they'd turn out. Let me know if you do!
 
Rachel C.
Rachel C. January 8, 2015
WOW i just made these today and they are fantastic. i immediately ate 2. into the freezer they go.
 
Hiromi M.
Hiromi M. December 21, 2014
I made this for our afternoon tea party and everyone just loved it! And this was the easiest and simplest thing I made for the party. I used tiny bit more than 1 cup of cream. But one of my friend suggested to use greek yogurt instead of half of the cream, so I may try that. Although that may make the biscuit a bit sour? Anyway, it is really good as is. I had it with strawberry jam and mascarpone cheese, and lemon curd I made for macarons.
 
lastnightsdinner
lastnightsdinner December 16, 2014
This recipe is STILL my go-to for biscuits. I actually embellished it a bit recently, adding about 4 oz. of grated cheese (a parmesan/fontina/asiago blend), a little dry mustard, some snipped chives and lots of fresh black pepper (oh, and omitting the sugar). Used them to top a pot pie! So good!
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. December 16, 2014
That sounds amazing! I may have to make your version this weekend...
 
Marian B.
Marian B. December 16, 2014
Wow! Finally made these tonight (at midnight, restless, worried that my fancy local cream would turn soon) and they're amazing. I used probably 1 1/4 cups cream, and they're so light and soft and perfect with honey. Sprinkled some extra flaky salt on top for good measure. Thanks, Merrill!
 
Merrill S.
Merrill S. December 16, 2014
Good call on the flaky salt!
 
Allison T.
Allison T. August 9, 2014
Looks wonderful! I do love a good cream biscuit. Thanks for sharing!
www.lashesanddashes.com
 
Blanca
Blanca June 20, 2014
Can I make ahead this recipe and freeze it?
 
MegB
MegB January 24, 2014
Can't believe how easy and good these were!
 
Rose W.
Rose W. November 15, 2013
I made these for breakfast yesterday--so easy without having to cut in butter. Took 30 minutes including baking. I ate 4. I try not to eat so much white flour, but I will keep this as a go-to biscuit recipe.
 
threeks
threeks March 20, 2013
Sounds delish. How can I sub the baking powder due to a corn allergy?
 
Peony
Peony February 9, 2013
Quick and simple to make. We ate ours with cream cheese and three fruit jam. We will be enjoying these again - very good.