Not Your Average (Garlic Cheddar) Biscuit Recipe

If the grocery store isn't your favorite place, it should be. We're sleuthing for the best back-of-the-box recipes and each week we'll share our latest find. 

Today: Never say no to light, lofty, cheese-laced garlic biscuits. 

Oh, what's that? You don't need another biscuit recipe? Stop that. Take it back. You won't protest the addition of this biscuit recipe to your already crowded collection—because your mouth will be full of a buttery, flaky, garlicky biscuit that's oozing with cheddar.

And even if you haven't baked many biscuits before, this is a very good place to start. It's far from ordinary, packed as it is with garlic powder and cheese, but it's also extremely simple to make and takes about 20 minutes once you get the recipe down.

I found it on the back of the Davis Baking Powder can, and I've adapted it only slightly. The original recipe calls for shortening, which I switched to butter. I prefer using only butter in biscuits: It gives them a richer flavor and a flakier texture.

Keep in mind that butter is more difficult to work with—if you don't start with very cold ingredients and take caution not to overwork the dough, it will warm up and make the biscuits leaden and dense. A light, gentle touch is key!

More: Get some tips on making flakier, airier biscuits.

You can use regular milk or buttermilk for the liquid. I used regular milk, because cheese and garlic are the predominant flavors. The light tang that comes from using buttermilk is more evident in plain biscuits. 

More: Or skip the butter and make yogurt biscuits.

These biscuits smell so incredibly good that you won't want to leave your kitchen while they're baking. The garlic powder isn't overpowering, but it does make these more interesting than any other cheese biscuit I've tasted (and I've tasted more than my fair share).

I can't imagine something more perfect to bring to a picnic, or dinner party, or really any gathering where you're trying to win friends and lovers and hearts and minds. 

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Adapted from Davis Baking Powder

Makes 12 medium biscuits

2 3/4 cups flour 
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup milk or buttermilk
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

Do you have a favorite back of the box recipe, or have you heard about a great one? Leave any suggestions in the comments, and I'll try them out and share them here!

Photos by Posie Harwood