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Sweet Potato Biscuits with Ham, Mustard, and Honey

These vibrant sweet potato biscuits offer a seasonal twist on a classic savoury bake. The natural sweetness of the mashed red-skinned potatoes provides a beautiful orange hue and a tender, moist crumb that pairs perfectly with the heat of the cayenne pepper. By rubbing cold butter into the flour, you achieve a light, flaky texture that makes these small bites feel truly indulgent.

This high-protein recipe is an excellent choice for a hearty brunch or a sophisticated afternoon tea. The combination of salty country ham and sharp Dijon mustard creates a balanced flavour profile, finished with a delicate drizzle of honey for a touch of elegance. Simple to prepare and visually striking, these homemade biscuits are best served warm from the oven.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Biscuits with Ham, Mustard, and Honey

  • 800g red-skinned sweet potato (yam), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

  • 220g plain flour

  • 1 tablespoon (packed) dark brown sugar

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 80ml chilled buttermilk

  • Dijon mustard

  • 170g thinly sliced country ham or Black Forest ham

  • Honey

Cook sweet potato in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, cool, and mash.

Position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 218°C. Butter bottom and sides of 9-inch cake pan with 1 1/2-inch-high sides.

Whisk flour and next 5 ingredients in large bowl. Add cubed butter to flour mixture; toss to coat and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk 180ml mashed sweet potatoes and buttermilk in medium bowl. Add to flour mixture; toss with fork. Gather mixture in bowl, kneading until dough comes together. Turn dough out onto floured work surface and pat into 1-inch-thick round. Using 11/2-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits, flouring cutter after each cut. Gather scraps; pat into 1-inch-thick round. Cut out additional biscuits (do not reuse scraps more than once).

Arrange biscuits side by side in prepared cake pan. Brush with melted butter. Bake until puffed and golden on top and tester inserted into centre biscuit comes out clean, about 22 minutes. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Turn biscuits out and gently pull them apart. Cut each biscuit in half crosswise.

Spread bottom half of each biscuit with mustard, then top each with sliced ham and second half of biscuit. Serve with honey.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 29 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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