Recipe Background
Cheddar Bay Biscuits perfect for celebrating a new job with flair.
Back when I was transitioning into my first job and feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, I discovered the magic of making my own version of Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Job interviews had me traveling frequently, and on one such trip, a layover dinner became the catalyst for this kitchen experiment. I had a bite of these irresistible creations and decided they would be my celebratory treat after finally landing a job. I always kept a block of sharp cheddar in my fridge, a nod to my love for cheese, and had some smoked paprika on hand for an unexpected kick.
Fast forward to the day I got the job offer. That evening, I found myself in the kitchen with a whisk in one hand and a mixing bowl in the other. The combination of garlic powder and cayenne pepper kicked up my excitement even more. A little trick: mix your buttermilk and melted butter separately and let those small clumps of butter do their work to create light, fluffy biscuits. As the biscuits baked, filling my small apartment with a rich, cheesy aroma, I couldn't help but smile. I learned then to brush the tops with buttermilk before baking—it made the paprika and parsley shine, adding a lovely touch of color.
These biscuits became synonymous with a new chapter in my life, reminding me that with a few simple ingredients—flour, butter, and cheddar—and a bit of effort, something wonderful awaits just around the corner.
Ingredients
For the biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 (8-ounce) package cheddar cheese shredded
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Using a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, the baking powder, the sugar, the garlic powder, the salt, the smoked paprika, the cayenne pepper, and the dried parsley using a whisk.
- Using a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, add in the buttermilk and the melted butter together. The butter will form small clumps.
- Bring the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture together and mix gently with a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix.
- Mix in the cheese, folding it in until the cheese is well-incorporated.
- Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop out the dough onto the previously prepared baking tray. Leave at least 1 inch between the biscuits.
- Then brush the top of the biscuits evenly with the buttermilk and then sprinkle it with the paprika and the dried parsley.
- Bake the biscuits for 10-12 minutes or until golden-brown.
- Serve warm!
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