Classic Tea Biscuits
Flaky, fluffy Tea Biscuits are the perfect treat to go with your cup of tea or coffee. These biscuits are easy to make with just a few staple ingredients and delicious served warm from the oven with a pat of butter.
Whether you make a batch for breakfast, brunch, or a snack, these tea biscuits are delicious any time. Warm from the oven they’re so hard to resist!
I love biscuits, donuts, and scones for breakfast – it’s so wonderful to pull something delicious warm from the oven for a special treat. These classic tea biscuits are always a favorite.
They’re flaky from butter cut into the dry ingredients and a little fluffy from baking powder to help them puff up while they bake. I also like to add raisins for a sweet flavor in every bite.
If you’ve ever made homemade scones or buttermilk biscuits, you can make these tea biscuits. The process is very similar – they’re so easy you can make a batch first thing in the morning to enjoy for breakfast.
Split them in half, spread on some butter, and add a spoonful of jam. Oh, and don’t forget the tea or coffee!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Room temperature butter
- 2% milk
- Heavy cream
- Raisins
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the raisins and then add the milk and cream. Mix the dough with a fork just until combined.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it about eight times. Gently flatten so it is 1″ thick.
Use a small or medium cookie cutter to cut out dough rounds. Place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about an inch apart.
Brush the tops with a little milk and then bake the biscuits for about 12 to 15 minutes.
Cool them for five minutes or so before serving.
Recipe Tips
When you cut in the butter, use a pastry cutter to make it easy. The more evenly you cut the butter in the flakier your biscuits will be.
When you mix, only mix until the dough forms. If you overmix, the gluten in the flour will develop too much and your biscuits won’t be as soft.
This recipe calls for raisins which add a nice texture and sweetness. I like to soak them first so they are nice and plump when you add them to the dough. They’re optional, so feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
What is the difference between scones and tea biscuits?
They have similar ingredients, but scones have eggs while tea biscuits don’t. Also, the textures are different. Scones are more crumbly while biscuits are flakier and fluffier.
How long do they keep?
Store your biscuits in an airtight container and they will keep them at room temperature for two days or so. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Ready to dunk a tea biscuit or two in your coffee or tea? That’s what we love to do! They’re so easy, you can treat yourself to this tea biscuit recipe any day. Enjoy!
More Easy Recipes
Classic Tea Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt*
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup milk (I use 2%)
- ¼ cup cream (heavy/whole or whipping cream) 30% fat
- ¼-½ cup raisins**
*If you use unsalted butter then add ½ teaspoon of salt.
**Soak the raisins for 10-15 minutes in bowl of boiling water. Then drain well.
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400F (200C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder, cut in the butter to form coarse crumbs. Stir in the drained raisins, add the milk and cream and mix with a fork just until combined.
- Move the mixture to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead approximately 6-8 times to bring the dough together. Gently flatten to 1 inch thickness and with a round cookie cutter (small or medium) cut out rounds. Place the rounds on the prepared cookie sheet about 1 inch apart, brush the tops of the biscuits with a little milk and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Let cool 5-10 minutes move to a wire rack to cool completely or eat warm. Enjoy!