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#### 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.
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 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.
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