sugary orange biscuits
Sooooooo. . . Downton Abbey went for the ‘ol jugular at the end of season 3.
The season finale was a couple of weeks ago but I’ve been relegated to catching up on the DVR.
Don’t worry; I won’t reveal what happened for those of you who haven’t watched it just yet. All I can say is, WHOA. Did the writers really have to go there? Word on the Downton set claimed it actually wasn’t supposed to go down that way. Apparently, there was a squabble of some sorts between unknown said actor and the director. Whatever went down, I’m glad it didn’t affect Maggie Smith’s character. Phew.
If I could have a lunch with a famous celebrity my first choice would be with Maggie Smith. I imagine my conversation with Maggie being proper with touches of silly. I would ask her about her career (what character was her favorite to play), what it was like growing up in England, is she BFF’s with Kate Middleton, and how she takes her tea.
Now, I couldn’t show up to this life changing lunch without a little something for the Duchess of Grantham. What is the perfect side-kick to a cup of warm tea? A delicious, buttery-orange biscuit of course! I made these last week between two giant snowstorms. They remind me of spring time tea parties, which I would pay big bucks for right now. Can we please “86” the snow for 2.2 seconds?
The best part of these biscuits, besides the orange zest and buttah’, is the gobs of honey you drizzle on top. Honey and biscuits go together like the Queen and her Corgis; it’s just a natural friendship. Go ahead and make these biscuits while you wait for spring, the Royal baby, and season four of Downton Abbeyto arrive… You never know who may ask you to lunch
Sugary Orange Biscuits
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (1 tablespoon extra for garnish)
1 tablespoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 egg to make egg wash
Honey
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
In a food processor, combine flour, baking soda, sugar, and nutmeg. Pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until course pea size crumbs appear. Add cream and orange zest. Pulse again until combined.
Form dough into ball, knead on a flour work surface --- about five or six turns. Roll out dough to about 3/4 inch thick. Using a biscuit cutter, cut 12 biscuits. Place biscuits on baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash and a sprinkle of granulated sugar. Bake for about 15 to 18 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool biscuits on a wire rack. To serve, cut biscuit in half, top with butter, and drizzle with honey!
recipe from Woman's Day Magazine circa 1980, yo!!
All images and text ©
Ugh I haven’t seen the finale for DA season 3 yet but the suspense is KILLING me! In the meantime, please invite me over when you have Maggie Smith and these biscuits around. Kthanksbye 🙂
Deal! Maggie Smith RULES!!! And go watch the season finale, you will flip!
I don’t watch Downton myself but they showed the last episode on Christmas Day here and I remember the outrage from my friends and people on twitter who said that the producers had ruined Christmas!
It’s true. The writers really messed up on this one! Good thing there are buttery biscuits to keep us distracted.
I need to catch up on Downton Abbey STAT! These biscuits look amaze!
Yes you do! You will flip out. It’s soooo good!
Ok, I have to admit that I was verging on mad about the finale to Downton. I can’t believe that final plot turn!!! So sad. First Lady Sybill, and now…oh my. 🙁
Still, that show definitely has a piece of my heart. 🙂
And I SERIOUSLY want a piece of these biscuits! Would love to begin the day with one of these beauties!
Me too, friend! I seriously can’t believe they went there. So not cool! I’m thinking they are going to have to write in a new character because they keep killing everyone off! Oh well, at least there buttery biscuits!
you (and everyone reading this) is going to hate me but i just can’t get into downton abbey. i tried watching the first episode but i stopped halfway through. maybe i should stick it out? anyway, if you made these biscuits for me and bribed me to watch it all the way through, i might just oblige! 😉
Actually, you’re not alone. My hubby couldn’t get into it either. Truth: it took me until the second season to really get into the characters. The first season is a bit slow. And yes, bribe biscuits must be actioned:)
My biscuits bring all the boys to the yard. And they’re like, “this needs some orange.”
YUM.
And I SO don’t get all the Downtown Abbey hype. I know, I know, don’t shoot me.
Bwhahahahaha!!!!! OMG! I miss you friend!!! That is awesome! And don’t worry about the Downton Abbey hype, it’s a good show, but nothing like the Church Lady!!
Blasphemy!! That Christmas special was a downer – but you’re right, at least it didn’t effect Maggie smith’s character. Whew!! That would have been a catastrophy! And sitting with her over these biscuits seems like a total freakin’ win.
Right?!! I can’t believe they went there. So glad they didn’t mess with my bestie, Maggie Smith. When does season four start?
I’ve yet to jump on this Downtown Abbey train… I feel so behind! But these biscuits look divine!
Katie, you totally need to jump on the Downton Abbey bandwagon. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
The introduction of the baking of processed cereals including the creation of flour provided a more reliable source of food. Egyptian sailors carried a flat, brittle loaf of millet bread called dhourra cake, while the Romans had a biscuit called buccellum.’
Make sure you visit our new homepage as well
http://www.caramoan.ph/how-to-go-to-caramoan/
Hard biscuits soften as they age. To solve this problem, early bakers attempted to create the hardest biscuit possible. Because it is so hard and dry, if properly stored and transported, navies’ hardtack will survive rough handling and high temperature. Baked hard, it can be kept without spoiling for years as long as it is kept dry. For long voyages, hardtack was baked four times, rather than the more common two, and prepared six months before sailing.,
<Best regards ";:""http://www.caramoan.co/caramoan-tour