ADVERTISEMENT
#### For the Glaze (optional):
– **Powdered Sugar**: This will form the base of your glaze, giving it sweetness and smoothness.
– **Lemon Juice**: Fresh lemon juice adds the perfect tang to the glaze.
– **Milk or Cream**: To help thin the glaze to the right consistency for drizzling.
### How to Make Soft Lemon Biscuits
Making soft lemon biscuits is easy and quick, and the result is a batch of biscuits that are tender, flavorful, and irresistible. Here’s how to make them:
#### Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to **450°F (232°C)** and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures the biscuits bake evenly and don’t stick.
#### Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the **flour**, **baking powder**, **sugar**, and **salt** until they are well combined. The dry ingredients form the structure of the biscuit, so make sure they’re evenly mixed.
#### Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Next, add your **cold unsalted butter**. Cut the butter into small cubes and add it to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter. It’s important to work quickly here to keep the butter cold, which helps create flaky layers in the biscuits.
#### Step 4: Add Lemon Zest and Wet Ingredients
Stir in the **lemon zest**, then pour in the **buttermilk** and **lemon juice**. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to gently mix the dough together. Be careful not to overwork it—just stir until the dough starts to come together.
#### Step 5: Form the Biscuits
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together. Pat the dough into a rectangle that’s about 1/2 inch thick. Fold the dough in half (like folding a letter), then pat it out again into a rectangle. Repeat this folding process two or three times to create layers in the dough, which will result in flakier biscuits.
Using a round biscuit cutter or a glass, cut out the biscuits, pressing straight down without twisting. Re-roll any leftover dough and cut out the remaining biscuits.
#### Step 6: Bake the Biscuits
Place the biscuits onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Bake them in the preheated oven for about **10-12 minutes**, or until the tops are golden brown. Keep an eye on them near the end to avoid over-baking.
#### Step 7: Glaze the Biscuits (Optional)
While the biscuits are baking, you can make the optional glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the **powdered sugar**, **lemon juice**, and a splash of **milk or cream** until smooth. The glaze should be thin enough to drizzle but thick enough to stay on the biscuits. Once the biscuits are out of the oven and have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the tops for an extra burst of sweetness and lemon flavor.
#### Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your Soft Lemon Biscuits warm, either on their own or with butter, jam, or a dollop of whipped cream. These biscuits are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a light afternoon snack with tea or coffee.
### Tips for Perfect Soft Lemon Biscuits
– **Use Cold Butter**: The key to flaky biscuits is cold butter. Be sure to cut the butter into cubes and work quickly to keep it cold while mixing.
– **Don’t Overwork the Dough**: Overworking the dough can result in dense biscuits. Mix just until the dough comes together, and knead it as little as possible.
– **Use Fresh Lemon Zest**: Freshly zested lemon peel has the brightest flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice for the zest, as it doesn’t have the same intensity.
– **Rest the Dough**: If you have the time, let the dough rest in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps the biscuits hold their shape better and ensures a more tender crumb.
– **Biscuits Are Best Fresh**: While these biscuits are delicious when fresh, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to revive their softness.
### Variations to Try
– **Lemon-Blueberry Biscuits**: Add a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries to the dough for a fruity twist on the classic lemon biscuit. The blueberries pair perfectly with the tart lemon flavor.
– **Citrus Glaze**: Experiment with a citrus glaze using **orange** or **lime** juice instead of lemon for a unique twist on the glaze.
– **Lemon Poppy Seed Biscuits**: For a crunchy texture and extra flavor, add a tablespoon of **poppy seeds** to the biscuit dough.
– **Lemon Cream Cheese Biscuits**: Swap the buttermilk for cream cheese to create a richer, more indulgent biscuit that still has a fresh lemony bite.
### Conclusion
These **Soft Lemon Biscuits** are a delightful treat that combines the light, fluffy texture of a perfect biscuit with the bright, zesty flavor of fresh lemons. With their buttery goodness and refreshing citrus notes, they’re a perfect way to start your day or add a special touch to any meal. The optional glaze makes them even more irresistible, but they’re equally delicious without it.
Whether you’re baking them for a holiday brunch, an afternoon snack, or just because you deserve something special, these lemon biscuits are sure to become a staple in your baking rotation. Enjoy the fresh flavors of spring or summer, no matter the season, with these delicious, soft, and fragrant biscuits.
ADVERTISEMENT
