Biscuit

A word with two meanings: in Britain a small, crisp sweet baked good similar to a cookie, and in the United States a soft, flaky quick bread.

Biscuit: Tall flaky American buttermilk biscuits, one split open with butter and jam
  • Cakes, cookies, pastries and baked goods
  • Great Britain

In British usage, biscuits include shortbread, digestives, custard creams and other cookies and crackers served with tea. The word comes from Latin by way of French and means twice-cooked, after early ship's biscuits that were baked twice to keep for a long time.

American biscuits are tender, layered rounds made by cutting cold butter or shortening into flour, adding buttermilk and baking powder or baking soda, then patting, folding and cutting the dough. They are served warm with butter, honey or jam, or as the base for strawberry shortcake.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Biscuits (4-H Unit 4JH-03PC), University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension