📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This stops your biscuits from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. I always have parchment paper in my pantry; it is a life savor!
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure everything's evenly distributed. I remember once forgetting the baking powder, and the biscuits were flat as pancakes! Don't make my mistake.
3. Add the cold butter, cut into small cubes, to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The smaller the butter pieces, the flakier your biscuits will be. If you have a food processor, pulse the ingredients until the butter is incorporated.
4. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and diced apples. Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture. This part always makes my kitchen smell amazing!
5. Pour in the cold buttermilk and vanilla extract. Gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing leads to tough biscuits. It’s kinda like kneading bread too much; you just don’t want to do it.
6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a 1-inch thick rectangle. If the dough feels too sticky, lightly dust your hands and the surface with more flour.
7. Use a biscuit cutter or a sharp knife to cut out biscuits. Aim for about 2-inch rounds. For a rustic look, you can simply cut the dough into squares.
8. Place the biscuits onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. This allows for even baking and prevents them from sticking together.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them; ovens vary, and you don’t want burnt bottoms!
10. While the biscuits are baking, prepare the honey butter. In a small bowl, whisk together the softened butter and honey until light and fluffy. A little sprinkle of sea salt can really elevate this.
11. Once the biscuits are out of the oven, let them cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with a generous dollop of honey butter. The sweet and savory combination is heavenly! I like to add a bit more honey on top. It’s a guilty pleasure!