Unlock the Magic of Your kitchen with Our Cookbook!

Easy Chocolate Chip Biscuits: Light, Fluffy & Ready in 40 Mins

10 Min Read
Disclosure: This website may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Your support is appreciated!

Imagine a warm, buttery biscuit, fresh from the oven, with its signature light and fluffy layers. Now, picture that same biscuit studded with pockets of rich, melty chocolate. Is it a breakfast treat? Is it a dessert? We say it’s the best of both worlds! This recipe for chocolate chip biscuits is here to challenge your brunch-time expectations. Forget dense, dry scones or overly sweet cookies; these homemade biscuits offer a perfectly balanced, tender crumb that will have everyone reaching for seconds. They are surprisingly simple to make from scratch and deliver a bakery-quality experience right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Biscuits

IngredientAmount/Quantity
Self-Rising Flour2.25 cups
Unsalted Butter, cold and cut into slices1/2 cup
Sugar1/2 cup
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips1 cup
Whole Milk1 cup (plus up to 1/4 cup more, if needed)

For the Vanilla Glaze

IngredientAmount/Quantity
Confectioner’s Sugar1 cup
Vanilla Extract or Butter Flavoring1 teaspoon
Whole Milk1 tablespoon

Timing

  • Preparation Time: 15 minutes
  • Baking Time: 14-16 minutes
  • Total Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes

In about half an hour, you can go from simple ingredients to a pan of warm, glazed, chocolate-filled biscuits.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Flour and Butter Base

Preheat your oven to a piping hot 450°F (232°C). In a large bowl, place the self-rising flour and the cold, sliced butter. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse, lumpy crumbs. Tip: This step is crucial for creating flaky layers. The cold butter pieces will create steam as they melt in the oven, lifting the dough. Once combined, place the entire bowl in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to ensure the butter stays perfectly chilled.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

After chilling, remove the bowl from the fridge. Stir the sugar and chocolate chips into the flour mixture until they are evenly distributed. Pour in 1 cup of milk and stir gently with a spatula just until the dough is moistened and starts to come together. If it seems too dry, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time. Be careful not to overmix!

Step 3: Fold for Fluffy Layers

Turn the shaggy dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Flour your palms and gently pat the dough into a rough rectangle, about one inch thick. Now for the secret to incredibly fluffy biscuits: fold the dough like a letter. Fold the right third of the dough over the center, then fold the left third over the top. Gently pat it out into a rectangle again and repeat this folding process one more time.

Step 4: Cut and Bake the Biscuits

After the final fold, pat the dough out to about a ¾-inch thickness. Dip a 2.5-inch biscuit cutter or the rim of a juice glass in flour to prevent sticking, and press straight down to cut out the biscuits. Avoid twisting the cutter, as this can seal the edges and prevent them from rising tall. Place the biscuits in a lightly greased round cake pan with their sides touching. This encourages them to rise upwards, resulting in soft, pull-apart sides. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the tops are a light golden brown.

Step 5: Glaze and Serve

While the biscuits are baking, prepare the simple vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, stir together the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, brush this sweet glaze over their warm tops. Allow them to sit for a few minutes for the glaze to set slightly before serving.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the final serving size. This recipe is designed as an indulgent treat, perfect for special occasions.

Healthier Alternatives

For a slightly lighter take on these delicious biscuits, consider these simple swaps:

  • Flour Choice: Substitute half of the self-rising flour with white whole wheat flour for a boost in fiber. You may need to add a little extra milk to achieve the right consistency.
  • Reduce Sugar: You can reduce the sugar in the dough by a couple of tablespoons without drastically affecting the texture.
  • Milk Alternative: Buttermilk can be used in place of whole milk for a tangier flavor and tender crumb. For a dairy-free version, use a full-fat plant-based milk and vegan butter.
  • Chocolate Swap: Use dark chocolate chips (70% cacao or higher) for a richer flavor and a dose of antioxidants.

Serving Suggestions

These chocolate chip biscuits are a delight served warm, straight from the pan. They are perfect for a special breakfast, a weekend brunch, or even as a simple dessert. Enjoy them on their own with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. For an extra touch of decadence, split one open and add a small pat of butter while it’s still warm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using Warm Ingredients: Warm butter or milk will result in dense, flat biscuits. Solution: Always use butter that is very cold, straight from the refrigerator. Chilling the flour mixture before adding the milk is an extra step that guarantees a flakier result.
  • Overworking the Dough: Mixing the dough too much or handling it too aggressively develops gluten, which makes biscuits tough. Solution: Stir just until the flour is moistened, and use a light touch when folding and patting out the dough. A slightly shaggy, imperfect dough is exactly what you want.
  • Twisting the Biscuit Cutter: When you twist the cutter, you seal the edges of the biscuit, which inhibits its ability to rise. Solution: Press the cutter firmly straight down and lift it straight up for a clean cut and a taller biscuit.

Storing Tips

  • At Room Temperature: These biscuits are best enjoyed the day they are made. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Reheating: To bring them back to life, warm the biscuits in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes. This will soften them and re-melt the chocolate chips.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked, cut biscuits. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Conclusion

With their tender, buttery layers and generous amount of chocolate, these light and fluffy chocolate chip biscuits are a game-changer. They prove that you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create impressive, delicious baked goods from scratch. This simple, quick recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your home. We can’t wait for you to try them! Let us know how they turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to rate the recipe.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour?

Yes, you can make your own self-rising flour substitute. For every 1 cup of all-purpose flour, whisk in 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt. For this recipe, you would use 2.25 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 ⅜ teaspoons of baking powder, and a generous ½ teaspoon of salt.

Q2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the dough, cut out the biscuits, and place them on a baking sheet. Cover them tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, bake them straight from the fridge, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Q3. Why are my biscuits dense instead of fluffy?

The most common reasons for dense biscuits are using warm ingredients or overworking the dough. Ensure your butter and milk are very cold, and handle the dough as little as possible. The folding technique is key, but be gentle

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Easy Chocolate Chip Biscuits: Light, Fluffy & Ready in 40 Mins


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 biscuits 1x

Description

You’ll whip up these light, fluffy chocolate chip biscuits in under 40 minutes. Cold butter, gentle folding, and a quick bake at high heat create tall, tender layers dotted with melty chocolate. Finish with a simple vanilla glaze for a bakery-style treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an easy dessert.


Ingredients

For the Biscuits:

  • 2 1/4 cups self-rising flour

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and sliced

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1 cup whole milk (plus up to 1/4 cup more, if needed)

For the Vanilla Glaze:

  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or butter flavoring)

  • 1 tablespoon whole milk


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Flour & Butter Base
    Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). In a large bowl, combine self-rising flour and cold, sliced butter. Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or fingertips until the mix looks like coarse, lumpy crumbs. Chill the bowl for 10 minutes to keep the butter cold.

  2. Mix the Dough
    Stir in sugar and chocolate chips. Add 1 cup milk and gently fold with a spatula just until moistened. If dry, add more milk 1 tablespoon at a time; do not overmix.

  3. Fold for Fluffy Layers
    Turn the shaggy dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat to ~1-inch thick. Letter-fold: fold right third over center, then left third over top. Pat out again and repeat once more.

  4. Cut & Bake
    Pat to ¾-inch thickness. Flour a 2.5-inch cutter or glass rim and press straight down (no twisting). Arrange biscuits touching in a lightly greased round cake pan. Bake 14–16 minutes, until tops are light golden.

  5. Glaze & Serve
    Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth. Brush over hot biscuits as soon as they come out. Rest a few minutes to set, then serve warm.

Notes

  • Keep it cold: Chilling after cutting in butter boosts rise and flakiness.
  • Don’t twist the cutter: Twisting seals edges and limits lift.
  • Pan placement: Biscuits touching helps them rise taller with soft pull-apart sides.
  • Make-ahead: Cut biscuits can be frozen on a sheet, then stored in a bag up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 450°F, adding 2–3 minutes.
  • Substitutions: Use buttermilk for extra tang (or DIY: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice, 5 minutes). Swap semi-sweet chips for milk, dark, or mini chips.
  • No glaze option: Brush hot biscuits with melted butter instead.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 biscuit
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 14.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3.5–4 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Share This Article
Leave a Comment