If you’re looking for a simple bake to get the kids involved in the kitchen, these lemon poppy seed biscuits are a lovely place to start. They’re crisp, buttery and full of fresh citrus flavour, and the recipe uses a little less butter than you’d expect, since poppy seeds release their own natural oils during baking. That means these biscuits end up lower in added sugar than a lot of the shop-bought options too.
This recipe makes 20 small, thin biscuits, perfect for a lunchbox treat, an after-school snack, or simply to enjoy with a cup of tea once the kids are in bed. They’ll keep for up to 5 days in a cool, dry jar, and the dough also freezes well, so you can make a batch now and bake fresh biscuits whenever you fancy them over the following 6 weeks.
Ingredients
- 90g caster sugar
- 85g butter, softened
- 1 medium egg
- 150g plain flour
- 25g poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Grated rind of 1 fresh lemon
Method
1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until fully combined. Then add the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder and grated lemon rind, beating well until you have a thick paste or dough.
2. Scoop the dough onto clingfilm, wrap tightly, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat your (fan) oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
4. Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out on a well-floured surface to about 5mm thick.
5. Cut the dough into shapes with your cutters of choice and place onto the baking tray. Sprinkle a few extra poppy seeds over the raw dough for decoration.
6. Bake for 7 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. Once baked, leave the biscuits on the tray for 10 minutes without moving them. Then lift them carefully with a spatula onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Serve with fruit jelly, or simply enjoy them on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do lemon poppy seed biscuits keep?
Stored in a cool, dry jar, these biscuits will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. The dough freezes well and can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 weeks, so you can bake fresh biscuits whenever you like.
What can I serve these biscuits with?
They’re lovely with fruit jelly, as shown in the photo, or simply on their own with a cup of tea.
Why does this recipe use less butter than usual?
Poppy seeds contain natural oils that are released during baking, which means the recipe can use a little less butter while still giving a lovely texture.
Related Articles
- Easy Baking Recipes to Make With Kids
- Family-Friendly Lunchbox Treat Ideas
- Simple After-School Snack Recipes
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