Angelina M. Lopez Makes Buttermilk Cheddar and Chive Biscuits
Angelina M. Lopez Makes Buttermilk Cheddar and Chive Biscuits is a medium American recipe that serves 8. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by Harlequin Books on YouTube.
Prep: 40 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 1 hr 15 min
Cost: $4.31 total, $0.54 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder (ensure fresh)
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (or pinch to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black Peppercorns (freshly cracked)
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (cold, cubed)
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded, sharp or mild)
- 1 large Jalapeno Pepper (seeded and finely diced, ribs kept for heat)
- 0.25 cup Green Onion (chopped, white and green parts)
- 0.75 cup Buttermilk (room temperature)
- 1 large Egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon Water (for egg wash)
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Grate the cheddar cheese, finely dice the jalapeno (keep ribs for heat), and chop the green onions. Set aside.
Time: PT10M
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until evenly distributed.
Time: PT5M
Cut Butter Into Flour
Add cold cubed butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles pea‑size crumbs with some larger butter pieces.
Time: PT5M
Add Cheese and Vegetables
Stir in the shredded cheddar, diced jalapeno, and chopped green onions until just combined.
Time: PT3M
Incorporate Buttermilk
Make a well in the center and slowly pour the buttermilk in a thin stream, mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
Time: PT3M
Fold and Roll Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat into a 1‑inch thick rectangle. Fold the left third toward the center, then the right third over the left. Rotate 90°, pat to 1‑inch thickness, and repeat the folding two more times.
Time: PT5M
Cut Biscuits
Using a knife or pastry cutter, cut the dough into 8 equal squares by repeatedly halving: cut in half, then each half in half, and so on.
Time: PT5M
Egg Wash
Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of each biscuit lightly with the wash.
Time: PT2M
Bake Biscuits
Place biscuits on the parchment‑lined baking sheet, spacing a little apart. Bake in a pre‑heated 375°F oven for 18–22 minutes, until tops are golden brown.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: 375°F
Cool and Serve
Remove from oven, let cool on a rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 250
- Protein
- 9g
- Carbohydrates
- 22g
- Fat
- 13g
- Fiber
- 1g
Dietary info: Vegetarian
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Egg
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine (unsalted)
- Instead of Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack, Mozzarella
- Instead of Jalapeno Pepper: Serrano pepper, green chili
- Instead of Buttermilk: Milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice (let sit 5 min)
- Instead of Egg: Egg substitute (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water)
Equipment Needed
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Pastry Cutter
- Wooden Spoon
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Pastry Brush
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Cut butter into flour until pea‑size crumbs form.
- Mix buttermilk in to create a shaggy dough without overmixing.
- Fold and roll the dough three times to create flaky layers.
- Bake at 375°F until golden brown.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Cold butter creates steam that makes biscuits flaky; keep it refrigerated until just before mixing.
- Buttermilk adds acidity that reacts with baking soda for extra rise.
- For extra heat, add a second jalapeno or leave seeds in.
- Use a light hand when folding to preserve butter layers.
Troubleshooting
Dough is too dry and crumbly.
Add a tablespoon of cold buttermilk at a time until the dough comes together.
Biscuits spread and are flat.
Ensure butter stays cold and avoid overmixing; chill the dough for 10 minutes before baking.
Biscuits are not golden on top.
Apply egg wash evenly and verify oven temperature; if oven runs cool, increase to 385°F.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked biscuits for up to 2 months; reheat in oven before serving.
Room temperature: Can sit at room temperature for up to 1 day.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare dough up to step 7, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
- Freeze unbaked biscuits on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag; bake from frozen adding 2–3 minutes to bake time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of buttermilk cheddar, chive and jalapeno biscuits in American Southern cuisine?
Savory biscuits have roots in Southern comfort food, originally made with simple pantry staples. Adding cheddar, chives, and jalapeno reflects modern twists that blend traditional biscuit technique with bold, regional flavors.
What traditional regional variations of savory biscuits exist in Southern United States cuisine?
Classic Southern biscuits are plain or include buttermilk only. Variations add cheese (cheddar, pepper jack), herbs (parsley, thyme), or heat (cayenne, jalapeno). Some regions serve them with gravy, while others enjoy them as a breakfast sandwich base.
How are buttermilk cheddar, chive and jalapeno biscuits traditionally served in the South?
They are often served warm with butter, honey, or alongside fried chicken, gravy, or eggs. In brunch settings they may be split and filled with sausage gravy or a fried egg.
What occasions or celebrations are biscuits like these commonly associated with in American culture?
Biscuits appear at family breakfasts, holiday brunches, church potlucks, and Southern gatherings. Their handheld size makes them ideal for picnics and casual dinner parties.
How does this biscuit recipe fit into the broader American comfort food tradition?
It combines the comforting, flaky texture of classic biscuits with bold cheese and jalapeno flavors, embodying the American love for hearty, flavorful side dishes that complement main courses.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Southern biscuits versus acceptable substitutes in this recipe?
Traditional biscuits use all‑purpose flour, buttermilk, unsalted butter, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Substitutes like gluten‑free flour, plant‑based butter, or milk‑lemon juice can be used, though they may alter texture slightly.
What other Southern dishes pair well with buttermilk cheddar, chive and jalapeno biscuits?
They pair beautifully with fried chicken, country ham, shrimp and grits, collard greens, or a hearty sausage gravy. A simple salad of mixed greens also balances the richness.
What makes these cheddar, chive and jalapeno biscuits special or unique in American biscuit cuisine?
The combination of sharp cheddar, fresh chives, and spicy jalapeno adds depth of flavor and a subtle heat that sets them apart from plain biscuits, while the folding technique ensures a flaky, layered crumb.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making buttermilk cheddar, chive and jalapeno biscuits?
Common errors include over‑mixing the dough, using warm butter, and not keeping the dough chilled before baking. These mistakes can lead to dense biscuits lacking flaky layers.
Why does this biscuit recipe use a pastry cutter instead of a food processor for cutting butter into the flour?
A pastry cutter allows you to control the size of butter pieces by hand, ensuring pea‑size crumbs and preventing the butter from melting, which a food processor can inadvertently do due to friction and heat.
Can I make these biscuits ahead of time and how should I store them?
Yes. You can refrigerate the shaped dough up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze unbaked biscuits on a tray and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. Store baked biscuits in an airtight container.
What does the YouTube channel Harlequin Books specialize in?
The YouTube channel Harlequin Books and Cooks specializes in pairing cooking demonstrations with author interviews, highlighting romance novelists while sharing comforting home‑cooked recipes.
How does the YouTube channel Harlequin Books' approach to cooking differ from other cooking channels?
Harlequin Books blends literary conversation with culinary instruction, focusing on recipes that complement the themes of romance novels, whereas most cooking channels concentrate solely on food techniques.
Last updated: September 3, 2026
