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Lemon Cornmeal Biscuits Recipe

4.7 from 69 reviews

These Lemon Cornmeal Biscuits are a delightful twist on classic biscuits, combining the tangy brightness of fresh lemon zest and juice with the hearty texture of whole cornmeal. Perfectly tender with a slightly crispy golden exterior, these biscuits are great for breakfast or as a snack, especially when topped with a sprinkle of coarse sparkling sugar for a subtle crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

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 Topping

  • Coarse sparkling sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking of the biscuits.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  3. Incorporate Butter: Work the cold unsalted butter into the dry mixture using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the texture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized bits.
  4. Add Lemon and Wet Ingredients: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and 1/4 cup of milk, mixing until the dough starts to come together. If the dough is still dry, add additional milk one tablespoon at a time until cohesive but not sticky.
  5. Shape the Dough: 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 out to about 1-inch thickness. Place the dough in the freezer for 20 minutes while you preheat the oven.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking.
  7. Cut Biscuits: Remove the dough from the freezer and cut into rounds using a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter. Gather scraps, re-stack, and cut again until all dough is used.
  8. Prepare for Baking: Brush the tops of the biscuits with milk and sprinkle with coarse sparkling sugar for a crisp and sweet finish.
  9. Bake Biscuits: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the tops and edges turn golden brown.
  10. Serve and Store: Remove from oven and serve the biscuits warm. Store any leftovers well wrapped at room temperature for up to two days or freeze for up to one month.

Notes

  • Using cold butter is essential for flaky biscuit texture.
  • The lemon zest and juice add a refreshing brightness, so use fresh lemons for best flavor.
  • Adjust milk quantity gradually to ensure dough isn’t too sticky or dry.
  • Freezing the dough before cutting helps maintain biscuit shape and flakiness.
  • Coarse sparkling sugar topping is optional but adds a pleasant crunch and sweetness.

Keywords: lemon cornmeal biscuits, lemon biscuits, cornmeal biscuits, breakfast biscuits, lemon zest biscuits, baking biscuits, homemade biscuits