Biscuit | Definition, Ingredients, & Uses (2024)

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biscuit, in the United States, a small quick bread usually made from flour, salt, and butter or vegetable shortening, with baking powder as a leavening agent. The dough is kneaded briefly and rolled out, and the biscuits are cut with a round cutter. The dough may also be dropped by spoonfuls for an irregular shape. Biscuits are usually eaten hot with butter and fruit preserves, sausage gravy, or ham. They are especially associated with the American South.

The dough for beaten biscuits, also a Southern specialty, is literally beaten with a mallet or other utensil for about 30 minutes to produce a fine texture. Round pieces cut from the dough are pricked with a fork to prevent the development of large bubbles and are then baked slowly. The baked biscuit is similar to a soft cracker.

Biscuit | Definition, Ingredients, & Uses (2)

Britannica Quiz

A World of Food Quiz

A sweetened biscuit dough is used for strawberry shortcake, a dessert of biscuits split and covered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

In the United Kingdom the term biscuit is used for a variety of small, crisp cakes, either sweetened (American cookie) or unsweetened (American cracker).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers.

Biscuit | Definition, Ingredients, & Uses (2024)

FAQs

Biscuit | Definition, Ingredients, & Uses? ›

biscuit, in the United States, a small quick bread usually made from flour, salt, and butter or vegetable shortening, with baking powder as a leavening agent. The dough is kneaded briefly and rolled out, and the biscuits are cut with a round cutter. The dough may also be dropped by spoonfuls for an irregular shape.

What are the main ingredients in biscuits? ›

The principal ingredients of biscuit dough are soft wheat flour, sugar, fat, and water. They are mixed with other minor ingredients (such as baking powder, skimmed milk, emulsifier, and sodium metabisulphite) to form dough containing a well- developed gluten network.

What are biscuit uses and? ›

Sweet biscuits are commonly eaten as a snack food, and are, in general, made with wheat flour or oats, and sweetened with sugar or honey. Varieties may contain chocolate, fruit, jam, nuts, ginger, or even be used to sandwich other fillings.

What are biscuits made from? ›

The main ingredients for biscuit making are flours, sugars and fats. To these ingredients, various small ingredients may be added for leavening, flavour and texture. The principle ingredient of biscuits is wheat flour. Wheat flour contains proteins including gliadin and glutenin.

What is the secret to a good biscuit? ›

The secret to the best biscuits is using very cold butter and baking powder. We've made a lot of biscuits, but this easy biscuits recipe is the one we turn to the most (they are so fluffy!). See our easy drop biscuits and cheese drop biscuits for even easier biscuits.

What makes biscuits different from bread? ›

In the United States and Canada, a biscuit is a variety of baked bread with a firm, dry exterior and a soft, crumbly interior. It is made with baking powder as a leavening agent rather than yeast, and at times is called a baking powder biscuit to differentiate it from other types.

Is biscuit healthy or unhealthy? ›

While biscuits are not exactly healthy for weight loss or diets, biscuits can still be enjoyed while maintaining health and weight loss goals. When considering weight loss goals, it is important to keep track of the calories and macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, protein) you're consuming.

What is the most popular biscuit? ›

Biscuit Best Sellers
  • Plain Digestives. McVitie's.
  • Two Fingers 20.7g x 5 pack. Kit Kat.
  • Chocolate Wafer. Tunnock's.
  • Teacakes. Tunnock's.
  • Rice Krispie Squares Marshmallow. Kellogg's.
  • Rich Tea. McVitie's.
  • Cookies Double Creme. Oreo.
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies. Maryland.

What are the three basic types of biscuits? ›

Types of Biscuits
  • Rolled Biscuits. Rolled biscuits are one of the most popular baking-powder leavened quick breads. ...
  • Drop Biscuits. Drop biscuits have more milk or other liquid added to the dough than rolled biscuits. ...
  • Scones. ...
  • Shortcakes.

Why do Southerners eat biscuits? ›

But they became a mainstay in colonial times because they could be baked quickly and required few ingredients. In Southern colonies, successful wheat harvests gave the colonists access to fresh flour, cows and pigs supplied buttermilk and lard, and biscuits gradually began to transform into something more palatable.

What are biscuits called in America? ›

A British biscuit is called a “Cookie” in the U.S.

Why put an egg in biscuits? ›

Across all temperatures, the biscuits made with the egg were decidedly taller (and, in my view, more beautiful). They were less fragile, with a doughier moistness that the all-butter biscuits were missing.

What are the components found in biscuits? ›

Flour, sugar, fat, water, and salt are the main components in a biscuit formulation.

What are the ingredients of top biscuit? ›

Refined Wheat Flour (64.8%), Edible Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Invert Syrup, Liquid Glucose, Milk Solids, Butter, Salt, Citric Acid, Leavening Agents [500(I), 503(Ii)], Emulsifier [472], Dough Conditioner (223), Dispersing Agents (1520), Flour Treatment Agent (1100(Ii)) And Antioxidants (319). Store in a cool and dry place.

What is the raw material for biscuits? ›

The basic raw material for the manufacture of biscuits is wheat flour and milk. Wheat and Milk are easily available in across India. Biscuit can be manufactured at a location which is close to the market.

What are American biscuits made of? ›

Tip the flour, sugar, bicarbonate of soda and a good pinch of salt into a large bowl or food processor. Rub in the butter with your fingers or whizz in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Stir in the buttermilk until you get a moist dough.

What ingredient traditionally forms the base of a biscuit? ›

Final answer:

The traditional base of a bisque is crustaceans, which are sautéed, simmered, and then puréed to create a rich and creamy soup. Cream is added to enhance the texture, distinguishing bisques from other soups and aligning more closely with the texture goals of custards in a different culinary category.

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