Lemon Cornmeal Biscuits Recipe
These Lemon Cornmeal Biscuits are a delightful twist on traditional biscuits, bursting with the zesty flavor of fresh lemon and a pleasant crunch from whole cornmeal. Perfectly tender yet crisp on the edges, they make a fantastic addition to breakfast, brunch, or a light snack. The biscuits are easy to prepare with simple ingredients and bake to a beautiful golden-brown finish topped with sparkling sugar for a touch of sweetness and sparkle.
- Author: Zane
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 biscuits 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (210g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup (106g) whole cornmeal
- 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon table salt
Wet Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, cold
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons (28g) lemon juice, fresh preferred
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup (57g to 74g) milk
Optional
- Coarse sparkling sugar, for sprinkling
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Incorporate Butter: Work the cold unsalted butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers, a pastry cutter, or a fork until the mixture has a coarse meal-like texture with small butter pieces visible.
- Add Flavorings and Liquids: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and 1/4 cup of milk, mixing until the dough just comes together. If the dough seems too dry, add more milk one tablespoon at a time until cohesive but not sticky.
- Shape Dough and Chill: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured piece of parchment paper. Fold the dough in thirds using the parchment, then pat or roll it to about 1 inch thickness. Freeze the dough on the parchment for 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut Biscuits: Remove the chilled dough from the freezer. Using a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, cut rounds out of the dough. Gather scraps, stack them, and re-cut to maximize yield.
- Prepare for Baking: Place biscuit rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with milk and sprinkle with coarse sparkling sugar if desired for a crunchy, sweet topping.
- Bake Biscuits: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes until biscuits are golden brown on top and the edges.
- Serve and Store: Remove from oven and serve warm. Store leftover biscuits wrapped at room temperature for up to two days or freeze them for up to one month.
Notes
- Using cold butter helps create flaky layers in the biscuits.
- Adjust milk quantity to get the right dough consistency; it should be cohesive but not sticky.
- Freezing the dough before cutting helps maintain biscuit shape and texture during baking.
- Coarse sparkling sugar on top is optional but adds a lovely crunch and sweet finish.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
- Biscuits are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: lemon biscuits, cornmeal biscuits, lemon cornmeal biscuits, breakfast biscuits, easy baked goods, citrus biscuits, homemade biscuits