These biscuits are soft and flaky with just the right lift. The trick?
A mix of cold butter and cold shortening
There have been sleepless nights in this house, where the hours tick by slowly and your mind won’t settle. And on those nights, if both Greg and I are wide awake, he’ll wait until McDonald’s opens and go grab breakfast for us. He always orders the Big Breakfast because he knows I adore their biscuits.
Everything about them is perfect to me… except for one thing — who knows what’s in them?
That’s what started me on a little mission in my kitchen. I wanted to create a biscuit with that same golden top, that tender, fluffy center, and those buttery layers… but made from ingredients I could trust, pronounce, and feel good serving to my family.
I’m sure I nailed it.
🧈 The Secret to That Biscuit Texture
These biscuits are soft and flaky with just the right lift. The trick?
A mix of cold butter and cold shortening. The butter gives you flavor, and the shortening a perfect fast-food crumb.
And folding the dough over a few times? That’s what gives you beautiful, pull-apart layers without being fussy. Trust me — this step makes all the difference.
🥣 What You’ll Need
You probably have most of these ingredients on hand:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder + baking soda
- Salt + a pinch of sugar
- Cold butter
- Cold shortening
- Cold buttermilk (or make your own with vinegar or lemon juice and milk)
🍽 Single Batch Recipe (Makes 8 Biscuits)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp cold butter, cubed
- 2 tbsp cold shortening
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk (plus a little more if needed)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the buttermilk just until combined — don’t overmix.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and pat into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
- Fold the dough in half and pat down. Repeat 3–4 times to build layers.
- Cut out biscuits using a 2.5-inch cutter (don’t twist it!).
- Place biscuits close together on the baking sheet (for soft sides).
- Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until golden. Optional: brush tops with melted butter.
🍽 Double Batch (Makes 16 Biscuits)
Ingredients:
- 4 cups flour
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1½ tsp salt
- 8 tbsp cold butter (1 stick)
- 4 tbsp cold shortening
- 1½ cups cold buttermilk (plus more if needed)
Same instructions — just double everything, use a bigger bowl, and go gentle with the dough. Bake on two trays or one large one.
📝 Download the Printable Recipe
If you like keeping a binder like I do, I’ve got you, friend:
👉 Click here to download the McDonald’s Biscuit Dupe Recipe (PDF)
Print it, tuck it in your kitchen notebook, or share it with someone who loves a good, scratch-made biscuit.
💗 From My Heart to Yours
I hope these biscuits bring a little bit of joy and comfort to your table.
Whether you’re enjoying them on a quiet morning or during a bustling family breakfast, know that I’m cheering you on from my little farmhouse in Northern Maine.
As always…
I love you. You are perfect as you are. Happy baking, and I’ll see you in the next one bye-bye!
My scratch sausage gravy is a perfect companion to these biscuits. Find that recipe HERE (Coming Soon!)
Daily Homemaker Podcast HERE
