by Ali Mooradian
Posted on: Healthy Eating, Pastries
ByLucy Yanckello, Ph.D.
Wildgrainis the first bake-from-frozen subscription box for sourdough breads, fresh pastas, and artisanal pastries.
When the word biscuit is brought up, most people think about Southern food and cooking. Light and fluffy biscuits, smothered in butter, usually come as a side dish and are served with a variety of things from sausage gravy to homemade jam. However, biscuits like we eat today in the U.S. evolved from a hard, thin, and durable version without fat or leavening agent and were meant to be used as rations. Read on to learn more about biscuits!
What is a biscuit? What are biscuits made of?
A biscuit in the United States is a small type of bread made of flour, salt, and butter or a type of solid shortening. Baking powder is used as the leavening agent eliminating the need to wait for biscuits to rise (such as with bread when yeast is used). The biscuit dough is briefly kneaded and rolled out, and a round or square cutter is often used.
Can biscuits be healthy?
Though biscuits are not particularly healthy, biscuits can fit into a healthy diet in moderation. One of the main health issues with biscuits is the high level of butter and therefore saturated fat. Saturated fats should be limited to 5% to 6% of daily caloric intake, according to the American Heart Association. To make a healthier biscuit, try substituting butter with plant-based butter to decrease the amount of saturated fats in the recipe. Plant-based butters also contain higher levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can lower risk of heart disease and stroke when eaten in moderation.
Is biscuit the same as scone? Is a scone a biscuit or muffin?
A biscuit is not exactly the same as a scone, although both biscuits and scones use baking powder as a leavening agent instead of yeast. However, scones are made with cream and eggs, whereas biscuits do not contain eggs. Scones are often sweetened slightly, and glazed with an egg wash or frosting, and biscuits are traditionally not sweet (although they can be).
A biscuit is also not the same as a muffin. Muffins are more similar to cake than scones or biscuits. Each of the three should be considered their own unique category of treat.
Is a British biscuit a cookie or a cracker?
A British biscuit is what Americans know as a cookie or a cracker. In the United Kingdom, the word biscuit refers to any hard, thin, bread-like product. A distinguishing factor between an American cookie and a British biscuit is that a British biscuit must always have a “snap” because it is crispy. In the UK, if a biscuit does not snap, or is soft, it is considered to have gone bad.
What’s the difference between biscuit vs. cookie vs. English muffins vs. scone?
Cookies are heavier in texture than biscuits, and cookies are often loaded with additional ingredients such as nuts, chocolate, oats, or raisins. Additionally, cookies have a much higher sugar content than biscuits, making cookies crispier and chewier than biscuits.
English muffins are typically made with bread flour, referred to as “strong flour” in the UK. Bread flour has a high protein and gluten content, allowing for a soft, chewy texture that is essential for English muffins. The open structure present in English muffins distinguishes them from biscuits.
Though both scones and biscuits use baking powder as a leavening agent, a scone is not the same as a biscuit. Biscuits do not contain any eggs, while scones are made with eggs and cream. Though biscuits are not typically sweet, scones are sweetened and often glazed with frosting or an egg wash.
Which is healthier: biscuit or scone?
Biscuits are often slightly healthier than scones because they use less butter and sugar than scones. Both biscuits and scones contain flour, fat, dairy, and baking powder. Both of these treats fit into a healthy diet in moderation.
Which is healthier: biscuit or English muffins?
Compared to biscuits, English muffins have more health benefits.The higher protein content of bread flour that is used in English muffins is an easy way to sneak extra protein into your diet. Compared to all purpose flour, bread flour has around three more grams of protein per cup.
Where can I buy biscuits, scones, English muffins, or cookies?
At Wildgrain, we specialize in making high-quality, fresh baked goods that are delivered directly to your door. Wildgrain is the first bake-from-frozen delivery subscription service for breads, pastries, and fresh pastas. Some of our popular baked goods include English muffins, sweet biscuits (raspberry lemon, orange cranberry, and blueberry), savory biscuits, and chocolate chunk cookies. Learn more about Wildgrain and our artisanal baking and cooking methods.
About the Author
Lucy Yanckello received her Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She currently works as a medical writer and enjoys being able to help people better understand nutrition and science.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns.
FAQs
To get the benefits of long-lasting energy and fullness from these sandwiches look for those made with English muffins, flatbread or tortillas instead of biscuits. They are usually at least 100 calories lighter and much lower in saturated fat and sodium than biscuit-based sandwiches.
Which is better cookies or biscuits? ›
Cookies are sweet, baked treats often made with sugar, flour, and additional ingredients like chocolate or nuts. They are soft and chewy, originating from the United States. In contrast, biscuits, popular in British and American cuisines, are flaky and buttery, served with savory dishes or enjoyed for breakfast.
Which is better biscuit or muffin? ›
Compared to biscuits, English muffins have more health benefits. The higher protein content of bread flour that is used in English muffins is an easy way to sneak extra protein into your diet. Compared to all purpose flour, bread flour has around three more grams of protein per cup.
What is the difference between an English scone and a biscuit? ›
"Scones are typically made using a quick bread method with a higher ratio of liquid to flour, and sometimes no butter at all," says Snyder. In contrast, biscuits have a high ratio of butter, and the lamination process needed to achieve flaky layers is a key differentiator to scones.
Is it OK to eat an English muffin everyday? ›
Additionally, studies show that increased intake of refined grains — such as English muffins made with refined flour — may be associated with increased belly fat, higher triglyceride levels, and decreased insulin sensitivity, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes ( 14 , 15 ).
Are English muffins ok for diabetics? ›
It is advised that diabetics stay away from processed foods or foods containing excessive salt, added sugars, and saturated fats. Since English muffins have low fat and sodium levels, and certain varieties even have zero added sugar, English muffins incorporate well into a diabetic diet.
What is a scone called in England? ›
For those in Commonwealth countries — England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Wales, and so forth — the word biscuit signifies something most Americans would call a cookie, and a scone is, well, something similar to an American biscuit: round, bready, and only slightly sweet.
What do British people call biscuits? ›
In Britain, what Americans refer to as “biscuits” are known as “scones.” British biscuits are actually what Americans call “cookies.” The term “biscuits” in the United Kingdom typically refers to sweet, crumbly, and sometimes buttery bakes treats, distinct from the soft, bread-like biscuits found in the United States.
Why do Americans call scones biscuits? ›
The reason scones are called biscuits in America is likely because the recipe to make Southern biscuits is similar to those used to make hardtack. Hardtack is a dense cracker or biscuit made of similar ingredients, but no dairy.
Which biscuit is healthier? ›
For this reason, the best biscuit for weight loss is a whole wheat biscuit, since they have enhanced nutritional value. Whole wheat biscuits are typically lower in saturated fats and higher in protein and fiber.
"The old standby Egg McMuffin is probably the most balanced choice of all. The biscuit sandwiches have nearly double the saturated fat and sodium," Harris-Pincus says. The Egg McMuffin with Canadian bacon and cheese will stoke you with 17 grams of protein per 310-calorie sandwich.
Are bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches healthy? ›
They can be so simple and so very delicious! However, a lot of breakfast sandwiches are full of fat, carbs, and calories. This makes them really tasty, but not so healthy.
Why do you put eggs in scones? ›
You might need a teaspoon or two more cream as its consistency is thicker than milk. Large Egg - The egg helps bind the ingredients together and increases the richness and flavour. Unsalted butter - Has to be cold to create flaky layers within the scone.
Why are American scones different from English scones? ›
American scones use much more butter than British scones, and they usually have quite a bit more sugar. The extra butter is what makes them so much denser. This is not really a good or bad thing, as British scones pile on plenty of sugar (in the form of preserves/jam) and butter or clotted cream as toppings.
Do British people eat scones for breakfast? ›
And the Brits don't eat them for breakfast; scones are served with tea in the afternoon.
Are English muffins healthier? ›
Is an English muffin better for you than bread? A. English muffins are slightly healthier than bread because they include fewer calories, carbohydrates, fats, and sugar than bread. However, both have a high carbohydrate content, which can offer energy throughout the day, and many nutrients.
Are English muffins anti-inflammatory? ›
"Many muffins are loaded with added sugar, saturated fat, and other pro-inflammatory ingredients," says Manaker. "While muffins may sound healthy, depending on how they are made, they may be a not-so-great choice for people who are trying to reduce inflammation."
How many calories are in a biscuit? ›
The calorie in a biscuit depends on the size. A 4-inch diameter biscuit contains 357 calories, a 2 ½-inch diameter contains 212 calories and a 1 ½ -inch diameter contains 49 calories. Fifty percent of the calories come from carbohydrates, 8 percent from protein and 42 percent from fat.
Are American biscuits healthy? ›
Can biscuits be healthy to eat? Biscuits are not necessarily healthy as they contain a lot of saturated fat due to a large amount of butter used in making biscuits. The amount of saturated fat in a typically-sized biscuit usually composes 30-50% of the recommended daily value of saturated fat.
by Ali Mooradian