Cheddar Bay Biscuits - freshly baked bread

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Cornbread & Biscuits

Cheesy, garlicky drop biscuits inspired by the famous restaurant version. No rolling needed — just drop and bake.

Prep Time

10 min

Bake Time

15 min

Servings

10

Calories

230

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a cast-iron skillet or baking pan.

  2. 2

    Mix Dry

    Combine cornmeal/flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

  3. 3

    Add Wet

    Stir in buttermilk, melted butter, and egg until just combined.

  4. 4

    Bake

    Pour into prepared pan. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and set.

Baker's Notes

The number one rule of biscuits: cold butter, cold buttermilk, and work the dough as little as possible. Every extra fold develops gluten and costs you flakiness.

Baker Thomas Moreau

About This Recipe

Cheddar Bay Biscuits are the kind of dish that shows up at every Canadian potluck and family dinner table — and for good reason. They're the perfect marriage of sweet cornmeal and sharp cheddar, with melted butter and garlic working their way into every crumb. Unlike traditional biscuits, these are drop biscuits, which means no rolling pin, no cutting, and no fuss. Just stir, drop, and bake.

What makes them truly irresistible is the contrast: a crisp, golden crust giving way to a tender, slightly sweet interior studded with melted cheese pockets. They're the kind of bread that disappears fast, especially when you pull them straight out of a hot cast-iron skillet and slather them with garlic butter.

Tips for the Best Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Ne mélangez pas trop la pâte — quelques grumeaux sont même souhaitables et garantissent des biscuits tendres plutôt que coriaces. Pour une croûte parfaite, préchauffez votre moule en fonte au four avant de verser la pâte. Et si vous voulez des couches plus feuilletées, râpez le beurre congelé directement dans le mélange sec.

What to Serve With It

Ces biscuits accompagnent à merveille les plats réconfortants canadiens : la poutine, le poulet rôti avec sa sauce, ou une bonne soupe à la tomate crémeuse. Pour un apéro simple, servez-les tièdes avec un petit bol de miel-beurre à tremper. Ils voyagent aussi très bien aux dîners en commun — enveloppez-les simplement dans du papier aluminium et réchauffez-les doucement au four à 350°F.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for three. Reheat in a 350°F oven for five to seven minutes to restore the crust — the microwave will make them gummy. You can also freeze baked biscuits for up to a month and toast them straight from frozen.

Nutrition Facts

230

cal

5g

Protein

7g

Fat

30g

Carbs

2g

Fiber

344mg

Sodium

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these without buttermilk?+

Yes — substitute with regular milk plus one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar per cup, stirred in and left to sit for five minutes until it thickens slightly.

How do I get more garlic flavour?+

Mix minced fresh garlic into the melted butter before pouring it over the batter, or add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the dry ingredients along with the salt.

Can I use a different cheese?+

Absolutely. Sharp cheddar gives the classic tang, but Gruyère adds nutty depth, pepper jack brings heat, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella gives you meltability with flavour.

Why are my biscuits dense?+

Overmixing is the usual culprit — stir until the wet and dry ingredients just come together, even if it looks lumpy. Also check that your baking powder hasn't gone stale.

Can I prepare these ahead of time?+

Mix the batter up to four hours ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for ten minutes before baking, then proceed as normal.

Tips & Tricks

  • Don't overmix the batter — a few lumps are fine and prevent tough cornbread.
  • A preheated cast-iron skillet gives the best golden crust.
  • Cold butter is the secret to flaky biscuits — freeze it and grate it in.

Reviews (4)

Marie L.★★★★★

Made this last weekend and my family loved it! The bread came out perfectly golden with a beautiful crust. Will definitely be making this again.

Michael W.★★★★★

This recipe is a keeper. The Baker's Notes really helped me understand the technique. My new favourite bread to bake on weekends.

Sarah M.★★★★★

So glad I found this recipe. The instructions are clear and the result is consistently great. I've made it four times already and it's perfect every time.

David C.★★★★★

Bakery-quality bread at home. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing. The proofing tips really helped.