Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter
This recipe crafts classic drop biscuits, celebrated for their tender interior and golden crust, requiring minimal handling. They are perfectly complemented by a vibrant, homemade orange honey butter, which adds a bright, sweet, and tangy element. Ideal for breakfast or brunch, this pairing offers a delightful balance of rustic comfort and sophisticated flavor, promising a satisfying treat for any occasion.
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For preparing the biscuit dough.
- 1 Medium Mixing Bowl For preparing the orange honey butter.
- 1 Pastry blender or fork Essential for cutting cold butter into the flour effectively.
- 1 Baking Sheet Lined with parchment paper for non-stick baking.
- 1 Microplane or Zester For fine orange zest without the bitter pith.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon soda
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup of buttermilk *see notes
- For the Orange Honey Butter:
- 1/2 cup of butter 1 stick
- 4 tablespoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, kosher salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Add the cold butter (cut into small pieces) to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
- Pour in the buttermilk and mix gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be shaggy.
- Using a large spoon or an ice cream scoop, drop 12 equally-sized mounds of biscuit dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown on top and cooked through.
- While the biscuits are baking, prepare the Orange Honey Butter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, honey, orange zest, and a pinch of salt.
- Beat with a fork or hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
- Serve the warm drop biscuits immediately with generous dollops of the freshly made Orange Honey Butter.
Notes
Achieving truly flaky drop biscuits hinges on the temperature of your butter; ensure it's ice-cold and cut into small pieces before incorporating. This creates pockets of steam, resulting in a tender, layered texture. Overmixing is the enemy of a tender biscuit; mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened. For a buttermilk substitute, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup and fill the rest with whole milk, letting it sit for 5 minutes. When making the orange honey butter, be mindful not to over-whip; you want a creamy, cohesive spread. A microplane zester ensures fine zest. For an elevated presentation and a delightful textural contrast, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the finished orange honey butter would be excellent.