Chocolate Shortcake Biscuit Recipe

a chocolate shortcakes biscuit topped with raspberries and blackberries and whipped cream

4.41 from 5 reviews

Chocolate Shortcake Biscuit Recipe

A true shortcake is more biscuit than cake. This chocolate variation takes the classic dessert to another level. These are the perfect chocolatey base for making Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes, of course.

Prep Time30

Bake Time15

Total Time45

Servings:12 biscuits

Ingredients

10 oz all purpose flour (2 cups, see note)
6 ¾ oz cake flour (1 ½ cups)
2 oz cocoa powder (½ cup)
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 oz granulated sugar (¼ cup (see note))
6 oz mini chocolate chips (1 cup)
8 oz unsalted butter (cold, cut into ¼" slices)
2 large eggs
12 oz buttermilk (1 ½ cups)
Extra buttermilk and sugar for topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Line a 1/2 sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Whisk together 10 oz all purpose flour, 6 ¾ oz cake flour, 2 oz cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon table salt, 2 tablespoons baking powder, and 2 oz granulated sugar. Toss 6 oz mini chocolate chips into the flour and use a whisk to distribute the chips.
Toss 8 oz unsalted butter slices into the flour. Use your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the pieces are no larger than a pea.
Whisk 2 large eggs into 12 oz buttermilk and pour them into flour mixture. Toss the mixture with a spoon or spatula until it begins to form a dough. Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface and lightly knead about 5-10 times to bring the dough together. This is a very wet dough so keep your hands well floured and use a light touch while kneading. You don't wan't to knock all the air out of the dough.
Use your hands to pat dough to ¾" thick. Cut rounds with a 3" biscuit cutter. Gently knead together the scraps to cut remaining biscuits. Place the rounds on the sheet pan. Brush with buttermilk and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until well puffed and set, 12 to 14 minutes.

Notes

If measuring the flour by volume use the “dip & sweep” method. That is, dip the measuring cup into the flour bin, overfill it, then sweep away the excess.

You can use up to a 1/2 cup of sugar is you want a sweeter biscuit.

To work ahead you can combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside for several days. Slice the butter and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to mix the dough.

Baked or unbaked shortcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw raw shortcakes before baking.

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