Name: Cheddar-Chive Biscuits
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 cups (10 ounces/283 grams) all-purpose flour , plus extra for counter; 2 teaspoons sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning; ½ teaspoon table salt; ¼ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (1 ounce/28 grams); ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (½ ounce/14 grams); 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives; 1½ cups (12 ounces/340 grams) plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream , measured separately

Why This Recipe Works

These stir-together biscuits, inspired by Red Lobster’s cheddar bay biscuits, come together in under an hour and are packed with flavor thanks to two types of cheese, Old Bay seasoning, and minced chives. Some baking recipes call for brushing the tops of biscuits, rolls, or bread with milk or, in this case, cream (since it’s already in the ingredient list). The cream helps the top of the biscuits brown in the oven. To see it in action, have kids paint all but one biscuit with cream in step 5 (don’t worry, it will still taste great!). While the biscuits are cooling, have them compare the color of the cream-brushed biscuits to the biscuit they didn’t brush with cream. What do they notice? Does one look more browned and golden than the other?

Before You Begin

We like the look of yellow cheddar in these biscuits (fun fact: Yellow cheddar is actually orange!), but white cheddar works just fine.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, Old Bay, and salt. Add cheddar, Parmesan, and chives to bowl. Use rubber spatula to stir until well combined.

Add 1½ cups cream to bowl and stir until no dry flour remains. Lightly sprinkle clean counter with extra flour.

Transfer dough to lightly floured counter. Use your hands to gather and press mixture until dough holds together. Shape dough into 9 biscuits following photos, “Step-by-Step: How to Shape Biscuits,” below.

Use bench scraper or spatula to transfer biscuits to parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between biscuits. Use pastry brush to paint tops of biscuits with remaining 2 tablespoons cream.

Place baking sheet in oven. Bake until biscuits are golden brown, 14 to 18 minutes.

Use oven mitts to remove baking sheet from oven and place on cooling rack (ask an adult for help). Let biscuits cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Serve warm.