Festive Cranberry Basil Christmas Biscuits Recipe – Sweet Joy

Festive baking reaches new heights with these delightful cranberry basil Christmas biscuits that blend sweet and herbal notes in every bite.

The unexpected combination of tart cranberries and aromatic basil creates a sophisticated seasonal treat.

Tender and flaky, these biscuits burst with holiday spirit and culinary creativity.

Rich buttery layers mingle with bright fruity hints, making them irresistible for morning breakfast or afternoon tea.

Each golden-edged biscuit promises a delectable journey through winter flavors.

Impress your guests with this unique recipe that turns simple ingredients into an extraordinary seasonal delight.

You’ll want to savor every crumbly, fragrant morsel of these stunning Christmas biscuits.

Serving Cranberry Biscuits This Holiday Season

• Festive Flavor Companions: Pair these cranberry basil biscuits with creamy goat cheese spread for a delightful appetizer that screams holiday cheer.
• Holiday Breakfast Delight: Serve warm alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a memorable Christmas morning breakfast that will make everyone smile.
• Afternoon Tea Treat: Enjoy these biscuits with a steaming cup of earl grey tea or mulled wine, creating a cozy winter afternoon experience that feels both elegant and comforting.
• Dessert Transformation: Drizzle with honey or sprinkle powdered sugar on top to turn these biscuits into a light, sweet ending to your holiday meal that guests will absolutely adore.

Keeping Christmas Biscuits Fresh

• Fresh Batch Timing: Whip up these festive biscuits 1-2 days before holiday gatherings to reduce day-of kitchen stress and free up precious cooking time.
• Chilled Storage Solution: Seal cooled biscuits in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days, keeping them soft and delicious for quick snacking or breakfast treats.
• Freezer-Friendly Trick: Wrap individual biscuits tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags to store up to 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare raw dough circles, layer between parchment paper, and freeze unbaked for spontaneous fresh biscuits anytime. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 205 kcal

Servings: 11

Cranberry Basil Biscuit Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that provides structure and tender crumb for your biscuits, selecting unbleached flour ensures the best texture and flavor.
• Baking Powder: The magical rising agent that helps biscuits become light and fluffy, always check for freshness to guarantee perfect lift.
• Baking Soda: Supports the leavening process and helps achieve a delicate, airy texture in your baked treat.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile, bringing out the subtle notes of other ingredients.

• Sour Cream: Adds incredible tanginess and moisture, creating a luxuriously soft and tender biscuit with a subtle creamy depth.
• Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Contributes silky smoothness and helps bind ingredients while adding rich, decadent flavor.
• Cold Butter: The secret to flaky, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, must be super cold to create perfect layered texture.

• Fresh Basil: Introduces a bright, herbaceous note that beautifully complements the sweet-tart cranberries, adding unexpected complexity.
• Dried Cranberries: Brings festive bursts of sweet-tart flavor and beautiful color, perfect for holiday baking.
• Melted Butter: The final brushing that creates a golden, glossy finish and adds an extra layer of rich, buttery goodness.

Tools for Baking Cranberry Basil Biscuits

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and mixing dough.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Ideal for blending wet ingredients like milk and sour cream.
• Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing dry ingredients.
• Pastry Cutter or Two Knives: Key for cutting cold butter into flour mixture.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for gently stirring the dough together.
• Baking Sheet: Necessary for baking the biscuits.
• Parchment Paper or Cooking Spray: Prevents biscuits from sticking.
• 2-Inch Biscuit Cutter: Helps create uniform, round biscuits.
• Rolling Pin or Hands: Used for flattening dough to the right thickness.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Prepare Christmas Cranberry Basil Biscuits

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen by setting the oven to a toasty temperature. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Gather your dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking them together until they create a smooth, even mixture that promises delicious results.

• Butter Magic

Crumble cold butter into the dry ingredients, working it gently until the mixture looks like sandy snow. Fold in vibrant cranberries for bursts of festive color.

• Moisture Mix

In a separate container, combine creamy dairy with fragrant basil, creating a magical liquid that will bring the biscuits to life.

• Dough Formation

Pour the liquid into the center of your dry ingredients, stirring just enough to form a tender dough that hints at the deliciousness to come.

• Shaping Adventure

Transfer the dough to a flour-dusted surface. Gently knead and pat it into a beautiful disk, ready to be transformed into delightful biscuits.

• Cutting and Brushing

Roll out the dough and cut into perfect circles. Arrange on the baking sheet and brush with a golden layer of melted butter that promises a crispy, delightful exterior.

• Baking Finale

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and watch as these holiday treats transform into golden, fragrant biscuits that will make everyone smile.

Tips for Festive Cranberry Biscuits

• Cranberry Basil Biscuit Pro Tips
• Use ultra-cold butter straight from the refrigerator to create those perfect, flaky biscuit layers that melt in your mouth.
• Finely chop fresh basil or use dried basil for more concentrated flavor, adjusting the amount to suit your taste preferences.
• Replace dried cranberries with fresh or frozen ones, or experiment with other seasonal berries like cherries or chopped raspberries for exciting twists.
• Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, or freeze cut biscuits for quick holiday baking emergencies.
• Drizzle warm biscuits with honey, spread with herb-infused butter, or serve alongside festive holiday meals for an extra special touch.

Festive Cranberry Basil Christmas Biscuits

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Christmas gatherings sparkle with delightful cranberry basil biscuits, merging festive herb and fruit flavors. Home bakers can craft these elegant seasonal treats with simple ingredients and quick preparation steps.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (473 ml) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk or heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) full-fat sour cream
• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries (whole or rough chopped)
• ¼ cup (57 g) cold butter (cubed)
• 1 tbsps (15 ml) finely chopped fresh basil
• 1–2 tbsps (15–30 ml) melted butter (for brushing over tops)
• 1 ½ tsps (7.5 ml) baking powder
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) baking soda
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Warm the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly to prevent adhesion.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl, creating a consistent dry foundation.
3. Butter Integration: Incorporate cold butter cubes into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, developing a coarse, crumbly texture reminiscent of breadcrumbs.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Gently fold chopped cranberries throughout the butter-flour mixture, ensuring even distribution of vibrant fruit pieces.
5. Liquid Component Blending: Whisk whole milk, sour cream, and finely chopped basil in a separate bowl until achieving a smooth, harmonious liquid mixture.
6. Dough Formation: Create a central well in the dry ingredients, pour the herbal liquid mixture, and stir carefully with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together without excessive manipulation.
7. Dough Conditioning: Transfer the mixture to a floured surface, kneading gently 8-10 times to develop a cohesive, tender texture.
8. Shaping Process: Roll or pat the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness, using a 2-inch round cutter to create uniform biscuits positioned 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet.
9. Finishing Touch: Brush biscuit tops with melted butter to achieve a golden, glossy exterior.
10. Baking Finale: Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn light golden brown and tops feel slightly firm, creating delectable cranberry basil christmas biscuits with a perfect balance of flavors and texture.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use cold butter straight from the refrigerator to create flaky, tender biscuits with perfect texture.
• Handle Dough Gently: Minimal mixing prevents tough biscuits; stir just until ingredients combine to keep them light and airy.
• Fresh Herbs Boost Flavor: Finely chop basil immediately before adding to release maximum aromatic oils and enhance taste profile.
• Spacing Ensures Even Baking: Leave 2 inches between biscuits to allow proper heat circulation and prevent them from merging during baking.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 205
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg