In the United Kingdom, the term "biscuits" refers to what Americans typically call "cookies." So, the sweet baked treats that are often consumed as snacks or desserts, like chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal cookies in the U.S., are referred to as biscuits in the U.K.
On the other hand, what Americans refer to as "biscuits" are known as "scones" in the U.K. These are a type of bread roll or quick bread that is often served with tea, butter, jam, or clotted cream. British scones are typically a bit different in texture and flavor from American biscuits, which are usually flaky and often served with savory dishes or used to make breakfast sandwiches.
To summarize:
- In the U.S., "biscuits" are similar to bread rolls, and "cookies" are sweet baked treats.
- In the U.K., "biscuits" are sweet baked treats (what Americans call "cookies"), and "scones" are similar to American biscuits.