The Perfect Cranberry Basil Christmas Biscuits Recipe for Holidays

Festive cranberry basil Christmas biscuits dance with unexpected flavor combinations that redefine ordinary holiday baking into a culinary celebration.

Sweet and herbaceous ingredients mingle within delicate, buttery layers that promise sensory delight.

Seasonal spices and fresh herbs create a harmonious balance that elevates traditional biscuit recipes.

Winter gatherings deserve something memorable and deliciously different from standard fare.

Soft, crumbly textures contrast with bright, tangy fruit and aromatic green notes.

Each carefully crafted bite tells a story of creative kitchen magic.

Your guests will be enchanted by these uniquely sophisticated seasonal treats.

Why Cranberry Basil Biscuits Feel Like Christmas on a Plate

• Craft Unique Holiday Flavor: Blend the unexpected combination of tart cranberries and fresh basil for a surprising twist that elevates traditional Christmas baking with a gourmet touch.
• Quick and Easy Festive Treat: Whip up these delightful biscuits in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy holiday cooks who want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Seasonal Comfort: Enjoy these biscuits as a breakfast companion, afternoon snack, or elegant side to your holiday meal, bringing a touch of sophistication to any festive gathering.
• Simple Technique, Impressive Results: Master the art of biscuit-making with straightforward steps that even novice bakers can confidently execute, creating restaurant-quality treats right at home.

What You’ll Need for These Festive Herby Biscuits

• Flour: Foundational ingredient for biscuit structure, all-purpose works best.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the biscuits.

• Cold Butter: Crucial for creating flaky layers, use high-quality unsalted butter.
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind ingredients together.
• Sour Cream: Adds richness and tanginess to the biscuits.

• Cranberries: Fresh or dried berries bring sweet-tart burst of flavor.
• Basil: Fresh herb adds unexpected and delightful aromatic element to the biscuits.
• Melted Butter: Used for brushing tops, creates golden and slightly crisp surface.

How to Bake Cranberry Basil Biscuits That Are Flaky & Fresh

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Ensure the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined and free of lumps.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter and Cranberries

Cut cold butter into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or two knives in a cross-cutting motion. Continue until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs. Gently fold in cranberries.

Step 4: Create Wet Mixture

• Milk
• Sour cream
• Finely chopped fresh basil

Blend until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the milk mixture into the well. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Knead and Shape Dough

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Dust your hands with flour. Knead the dough 10 times to create a cohesive texture.

Step 7: Roll and Cut Biscuits

Flatten the dough to 1/2 inch thickness using your hands or a rolling pin. Use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to create circular shapes. Place biscuits 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8: Brush and Bake

Lightly brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.

Tips for Light, Buttery Holiday Biscuits

• Chill Butter Thoroughly: Use extremely cold butter cut into small cubes to ensure flaky, tender biscuits with perfect texture.
• Handle Dough Minimally: Mix ingredients gently and knead briefly to prevent tough, dense biscuits from developing too much gluten.
• Check Freshness of Leavening Agents: Use recently purchased baking powder and baking soda to guarantee maximum rising and light texture.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Add liquid ingredients slowly and stop mixing the moment dough just comes together to maintain ideal consistency.
• Position Baking Sheet Strategically: Place biscuits in the center of the oven for even browning and consistent heat distribution, rotating midway through baking if your oven has uneven temperatures.

How to Keep Holiday Biscuits Fresh for Days

• Refrigerate cooled biscuits in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each biscuit individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out. Gently reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in a preheated 350-degree oven for 5-7 minutes until they regain their soft, flaky texture. For best results, consume within 2 days of baking to enjoy maximum freshness and flavor of these delightful cranberry basil biscuits.

What Goes Well with These Flavor-Packed Christmas Biscuits

• Pair with Festive Mulled Wine: Complement the cranberry basil biscuits with a warm, spiced mulled wine that echoes the holiday spirit and balances the biscuits' tangy and herbal notes.
• Serve alongside Whipped Goat Cheese Spread: Create a creamy accompaniment that highlights the biscuits' savory basil undertones and provides a smooth contrast to their crisp texture.
• Match with Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail: Enhance the biscuits' fruity essence with a bubbly, non-alcoholic drink that mirrors the cranberry flavor and adds a refreshing touch to the holiday spread.
• Complement with Maple Butter Drizzle: Elevate the biscuits by adding a sweet, rich maple butter that brings out the subtle basil and cranberry flavors while providing a luxurious finishing touch.

Tasty Variations on These Savory-Sweet Biscuits

• Festive Orange Cranberry Biscuits: Replace basil with orange zest for a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the cranberries perfectly. The zesty orange adds a refreshing winter holiday touch to the classic biscuit recipe.
• Rosemary Whole Wheat Cranberry Biscuits: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture. Add finely chopped fresh rosemary to enhance the herbal notes and create a more rustic, wholesome biscuit.
• Almond Cranberry Crunch Biscuits: Incorporate chopped almonds into the dough and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking. This variation adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the tart cranberries.
• Maple Pecan Cranberry Biscuits: Drizzle warm maple syrup over the baked biscuits and fold in chopped pecans for a rich, sweet twist. The maple and pecan combination brings a cozy, indulgent element to the original recipe.

Cranberry Basil Christmas Biscuits Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Cranberry basil Christmas biscuits blend festive cheer with herbal elegance, offering a delightful twist on traditional holiday treats. Delicate, buttery crumbles studded with tart cranberries and aromatic basil create a memorable seasonal indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 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)
• 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) melted butter (for brushing over tops)

Leavening Agents:

• 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking soda

Seasonings and Herbs:

• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) finely chopped fresh basil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, ensuring a uniform dry mixture.
3. Cut cold unsalted butter into small cubes and work it into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or two knives, creating a texture resembling coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Gently fold chopped fresh cranberries into the butter-flour mixture, distributing them evenly throughout.
5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together whole milk, sour cream, and finely chopped fresh basil until smooth and well combined.
6. Form a small well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the milk and herb mixture into it.
7. Using a wooden spoon, mix the ingredients carefully, stirring just until the dough comes together without overworking the mixture.
8. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 8-10 times to create a cohesive texture.
9. Roll or pat the dough to approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters) thickness using your hands or a rolling pin.
10. Cut out biscuits using a 2-inch (5 centimeters) round cutter, placing them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
11. Brush the top of each biscuit with melted butter for a golden, glossy finish.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn light golden brown and the tops are slightly firm.

Notes

• Gather all ingredients beforehand to streamline the baking process and avoid last-minute scrambling.
• Cold butter is crucial for achieving those perfectly flaky, tender biscuit layers that melt in your mouth.
• Minimal handling of the dough prevents tough biscuits, so mix just until ingredients come together.
• Fresh basil adds an unexpected herbal twist that elevates these festive holiday treats beyond ordinary biscuits.
• Cranberries bring a delightful burst of tartness and festive color, making these biscuits a true Christmas morning showstopper.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 218 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5gg
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 28mg