If you’re anything like me and love a flaky, cheesy biscuit that’s bursting with fresh herbs and bold flavor, then you are absolutely going to adore this Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe. These biscuits are tender, rich, and packed with that nutty, melty gruyere cheese that just melts in your mouth. I remember the first time I made them—my kitchen filled with the intoxicating scent of herbs and cheese, and my family was practically begging for seconds. Trust me, once you try this slab-style biscuit, you’ll never want to go back to round ones again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy slab baking: Pressing the dough into a slab makes the biscuits quick to shape and perfect for sharing.
- Gruyere cheese magic: The nutty, melty gruyere takes these biscuits to a gourmet level without extra fuss.
- Herb-packed freshness: Fresh herbs bring vibrant flavor that pairs beautifully with the cheese and butter.
- Versatile & crowd-pleasing: Great on their own, with soups, or for breakfast sandwiches – everyone goes crazy for them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe lies in the harmony between creamy dairy, nutty cheese, and fresh herbs. Using cold butter and a mix of buttermilk and sour cream keeps the dough tender and moist, while fresh herbs add depth. Here’s my rundown on choosing the best ingredients for this recipe.
- All purpose flour: Stick with all purpose flour for that classic biscuit texture—light but sturdy enough to hold all that cheese and herbs.
- Baking powder: Fresh baking powder ensures your biscuits rise perfectly fluffy and golden.
- Kosher salt: I prefer kosher salt here for a cleaner salt flavor that complements the cheese without overpowering.
- Unsalted butter (cold): The cold butter creates pockets of flaky deliciousness—don’t skip keeping it chilled!
- Gruyere cheese (freshly grated): Freshly grated gruyere melts better and has a richer flavor than pre-shredded versions.
- Fresh herbs: A mix of rosemary, thyme, chives, parsley, and sage brings a bright, earthy note that I absolutely love.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderness—if you can’t find buttermilk, whole milk with a splash of lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Sour cream: Keeps the biscuits moist and adds a subtle richness you won’t want to skip.
Variations
One of the things I love about the Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you’ve got in your kitchen or your flavor preferences. I’ve tried swapping herbs and cheeses, and it always turns out delicious, giving you plenty of room to make it your own.
- Cheese Swap: I once used sharp white cheddar instead of gruyere for a slightly tangier bite, and my family loved it just as much.
- Herb Variations: Try substituting basil or tarragon for a fresh summer twist, especially when you have those herbs on hand.
- Dairy-Free Option: You can replace sour cream and buttermilk with coconut yogurt and a bit of lemon juice – the texture changes slightly but still delicious!
- Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeños adds some heat that pairs amazingly with the creamy cheese.
How to Make Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it heats, brush a 9×13 inch baking dish generously with the melted butter—this not only keeps the biscuits from sticking but also adds a beautiful golden crust along the edges. I keep my melted butter warm on the stove to brush again before baking for an extra buttery finish.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Cut in Butter
In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. This uniform mix is super important for even rising and salt distribution. Now, add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry blender or fork and cut the butter into the flour until you get a crumbly mixture with pea-sized bits of butter still visible—that’s the secret to flakiness!
Step 3: Add Cheese and Herbs
Next, toss in the freshly grated gruyere and chopped herbs. Give everything a gentle stir—this helps distribute all those flavorful nuggets evenly without overworking the dough.
Step 4: Wet Ingredients and Combining the Dough
Whisk together the buttermilk and sour cream until smooth, then pour into the dry ingredient bowl. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula just until combined and no dry flour remains. The dough will be a bit sticky and soft, and that’s exactly what you want. Overmixing here will make your biscuits tough—this is one of those moments when “less is more.”
Step 5: Press, Score, and Bake
Transfer the dough to your buttered baking dish and press it out evenly to fill the pan, about an inch thick. Now here’s the trick I discovered: use a sharp knife to lightly score the dough into biscuit-sized squares before baking. This pre-cuts the biscuits, making them super easy to break apart after baking without tearing. Pop it into that hot oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden, puffed, and irresistible.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Once they come out of the oven, resist the urge to cut right away—letting them cool completely helps the texture set and the flavors deepen. When cool, simply slice along your scored lines and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe
- Keep Butter Cold: I always chill the butter until right before mixing to achieve those flaky layers that make these biscuits stand out.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing until just combined keeps biscuits tender; overhandling makes them dense, and I’ve been guilty of that more than once!
- Use Freshly Grated Gruyere: Pre-shredded cheese can be coated with anti-caking agents, which affect melting and texture—freshly grating makes a big difference.
- Score the Dough Early: Pre-cutting before baking saves you from messy pulls and helps achieve perfect biscuit squares every time.
How to Serve Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with a pat of herb-infused butter or a drizzle of good honey on top—something that enhances the savory notes. If I’m serving more formally, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or finely chopped chives brightens them up perfectly.
Side Dishes
These biscuits are fantastic alongside creamy soups like tomato bisque or butternut squash soup. I also love serving them with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for brunch or even alongside a fresh green salad for an easy dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these biscuits on a wooden board surrounded by herb sprigs and small bowls of compound butters or jams—making it easy and elegant for guests to help themselves. Adding a few small cheese wedges and a glass of chilled white wine elevates the presentation without extra work.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I always place a paper towel underneath and on top of the biscuits to absorb any moisture, keeping them from getting soggy.
Freezing
I’m a big fan of making these biscuits ahead and freezing them. Simply wrap the fully cooled slab tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When you want fresh biscuits, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the biscuits in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-12 minutes until warmed through and crisp on the outside. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them chewy instead of flaky.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cheese instead of gruyere in this slab biscuit recipe?
Absolutely! While gruyere is ideal for its nutty, creamy melt, you can substitute other semi-hard cheeses like sharp cheddar, fontina, or even parmesan for a different but delicious flavor profile. Just make sure the cheese you choose melts well and isn’t heavily aged as it might affect texture.
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What can I substitute for buttermilk if I don’t have any on hand?
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk (whole or 2%) with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This mimics the acidity of buttermilk that helps tenderize the biscuits.
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How do I get flaky layers in these biscuits?
The key to flaky biscuits is keeping the butter cold and cutting it into the flour to create little chunks. These chunks melt during baking, creating steam and those beautiful layers. Also, avoid overmixing your dough once the wet ingredients are added — mixing until just combined is critical.
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Can I make these biscuits vegan or dairy-free?
While traditional Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits rely on dairy for their rich flavor and texture, you can experiment with vegan cheeses, coconut yogurt, and plant-based sour cream substitutes. Keep in mind the texture and flavor will be different, so it may take a few tries to perfect.
Final Thoughts
This Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe has become a favorite in my house for good reason — it’s straightforward, unbelievably tasty, and versatile enough for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I love how every bite delivers that perfect balance of cheesy, buttery, and herbaceous goodness. If you’ve been on the lookout for that ultimate biscuit recipe to impress your family or friends, this one really is it — give it a try and watch your kitchen fill with smiles and satisfied sighs!
PrintGruyere Herb Slab Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 16 biscuits 1x
- Category: Bake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Gruyere Herb Slab Biscuits are rich, flaky, and packed with fresh herbs and sharp gruyere cheese. Perfectly baked in a slab for easy slicing, they make a savory accompaniment to any meal or a delicious snack on their own.
Ingredients
Butter
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted, for brushing
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Dry Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Cheese & Herbs
- 8 oz Gruyere cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, chives, parsley, sage)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brush a 9×13 inch baking dish with the melted butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients with butter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use a fork or pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour until small pea-sized pieces remain, distributing the butter evenly throughout the mixture.
- Add cheese and herbs: Incorporate the freshly grated Gruyere and chopped fresh herbs into the flour and butter mixture evenly.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and sour cream until smooth.
- Form the dough: Pour the buttermilk and sour cream mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix gently and just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep biscuits tender.
- Press dough into dish and score: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish and press it evenly to fill the dish. Use a knife to score the dough, creating biscuit shapes by cutting partial lines—this pre-cuts them for easier separation after baking.
- Bake the biscuits: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the biscuits are golden brown and puffed up.
- Cool and serve: Remove from oven and let the biscuits cool completely in the dish. Once cooled, cut along the scored lines to separate the biscuits. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For best results, use cold butter to create flaky layers.
- Make sure not to overmix the dough to keep biscuits tender and light.
- Feel free to swap or add fresh herbs to suit taste preferences.
- If buttermilk is not available, you can substitute with 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit 5 minutes.
- Allowing biscuits to cool before cutting keeps edges neat and prevents squishing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit (based on 14 servings)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg