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If you are looking to add a touch of cozy sophistication to your brunch or snack time, this Leek and Cheese Biscuits Recipe is a must-try. These biscuits combine the gentle sweetness of sautéed leeks with the rich, savory punch of sharp cheese, all wrapped in a tender, flaky dough that bakes to golden perfection. Whether you’re craving a comforting bite to pair with your morning coffee or a flavorful treat alongside soup or salad, these biscuits offer a delightful balance of freshness and indulgence that will quickly become a favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients are the secret behind this memorable dish, each playing an essential role in flavor, texture, and appearance. From the creamy butter to the sharp cheese, every component is here to make your biscuits utterly irresistible.
- Unsalted butter, cold and divided: Provides tender flakiness and a rich buttery taste that complements the leeks.
- Medium leek, thinly sliced and rinsed: Adds a subtle sweetness and delicate onion flavor, elevating the biscuits.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for the dough, giving structure and creating that perfect biscuit crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the savory flavors with a hint of gentle sweetness.
- Baking powder: Helps the biscuits rise, keeping them light and fluffy.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to achieve the perfect texture.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the dough.
- Grated sharp cheese (white, yellow, or Dubliner): Offers a rich, savory depth that melts beautifully into each bite.
- Full-fat plain unsweetened yogurt: Adds moisture and tenderness for a soft crumb.
- Whole milk: Used for brushing to create a golden, appealing crust.
How to Make Leek and Cheese Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Leeks
Start by melting 3 tablespoons of cold butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced leeks and cook them slowly until they are softened, wilted, and beautifully browned, which usually takes about 9 to 10 minutes. This process brings out their natural sweetness and gives the biscuits a rich base flavor. Once done, set the leeks aside to cool completely—this step is key to keeping the dough from becoming too warm and sticky.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
While the leeks cool, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your biscuits bake evenly and won’t stick. This prep makes baking straightforward and keeps clean-up quick.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. This step ensures that your raising agents and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the dough for consistent taste and texture.
Step 4: Incorporate the Butter
Add the remaining ¼ cup of cold butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your clean hands to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This is what gives the biscuits their tender, flaky structure—the tiny butter pockets melt during baking, creating those irresistible layers.
Step 5: Add Leeks and Cheese
Next, fold in the cooled sautéed leeks and the grated cheese. Distributing these ingredients evenly ensures every biscuit has that perfect burst of flavor in every bite.
Step 6: Form the Dough
Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the plain yogurt. Stir gently to form a shaggy dough, adding an extra tablespoon or two of yogurt if the mixture feels too dry. Be careful not to overwork it; a light touch keeps the biscuits tender and soft.
Step 7: Shape and Cut the Biscuits
Lightly flour a clean surface and pat the dough into an even disc about 1 inch thick. Dust a round cookie cutter with flour and cut out biscuits, transferring them to the prepared baking sheets as you go. Handling the dough gently will keep your biscuits light and flaky.
Step 8: Brush with Milk and Bake
Brush the tops of each biscuit with whole milk to encourage a gorgeous golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the biscuits have puffed up and turned a beautiful golden brown. This final step rewards you with irresistibly warm, cheesy, and leek-scented treats.
How to Serve Leek and Cheese Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley sprinkled on top after baking add a lovely color contrast and a fresh herbal note that pairs beautifully with the savory cheese and leek flavors.
Side Dishes
These biscuits shine alongside a hearty bowl of soup—think creamy tomato, rustic vegetable, or even a rich beef stew. Their sturdy yet tender texture holds up well for dipping and soaking up those delicious broths.
Creative Ways to Present
Try splitting the biscuits and filling them with slices of smoked ham and a smear of whole-grain mustard for a quick and satisfying mini sandwich. You can also serve them warm with a pat of herbed butter or alongside a cheese platter for an elegant appetizer spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your leftover Leek and Cheese Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to two days—perfect for enjoying the next day without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, wrap the unbaked biscuits tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them. When ready to bake, just pop them into the oven from frozen—adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. This makes it easy to enjoy fresh biscuits anytime you crave them.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm your biscuits in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. This method brings back their freshly baked crispiness and melts the cheese just right, giving you that straight-from-the-oven experience all over again.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese in this Leek and Cheese Biscuits Recipe?
Absolutely! While sharp white, yellow, or Dubliner cheese works wonderfully, feel free to experiment with cheddar, Gruyère, or even a tangy feta for different flavor profiles.
Is it necessary to rinse the leeks?
Yes, rinsing the leeks thoroughly is important to remove any grit or dirt trapped between their layers, ensuring your biscuits have a clean, fresh flavor.
Can I substitute yogurt with sour cream?
You can swap yogurt for sour cream in equal amounts. Both add moisture and tang, although sour cream might make it slightly richer.
What is the best way to store leftover biscuits?
Store your biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or freeze them for longer storage. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry them out.
How do I make the biscuits flakier?
Be sure to keep the butter cold and avoid overworking the dough. Cutting the butter into coarse crumbs and letting it melt during baking creates those lovely flaky layers.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely can’t recommend this Leek and Cheese Biscuits Recipe enough. It’s a warm, comforting dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare and endlessly adaptable. Once you try these biscuits, I’m confident they’ll find a permanent spot in your recipe collection, ready to brighten breakfasts, elevate snacks, and impress guests with their irresistible homemade charm.
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Print
Leek and Cheese Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 biscuits
- Category: Bread & Biscuits
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These savory Leek and Cheese Biscuits are a perfect combination of tender, flaky texture and rich flavors. Featuring sautéed leeks and sharp white cheese, these biscuits are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as a delicious side dish. Made with simple pantry staples such as all-purpose flour, baking powder, and yogurt, they are quick to prepare and bake to a golden perfection in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Butter and Vegetables
- ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and divided
- 1 medium leek, thinly sliced and rinsed
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup grated sharp white, yellow, or Dubliner cheese
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons full-fat plain unsweetened yogurt
- 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Sauté Leeks: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced leeks and sauté until wilted, softened, and lightly browned, about 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer the sautéed leeks to a plate and set aside to cool completely, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your clean hands, cut the remaining ¼ cup of cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add Leeks and Cheese: Stir in the cooled sautéed leeks and grated cheese into the flour mixture.
- Form Dough: Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the plain yogurt. Mix everything together to form a shaggy dough. If the dough feels too dry, add one or two more tablespoons of yogurt until it comes together.
- Lightly Knead: Lightly knead the dough in the bowl for a few seconds to help form a cohesive dough without overworking it.
- Shape Biscuits: Dust your work surface with flour. Pat the dough into an even 1-inch thick disk. Using a floured round cookie cutter, cut out the biscuits and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
- Brush with Milk: Lightly brush the tops of each biscuit with whole milk to promote browning during baking.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious leek and cheese biscuits!
Notes
- Make sure the leeks are rinsed thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit before cooking.
- Use cold butter to ensure flaky, tender biscuits.
- If you prefer sharper flavor, use Dubliner or sharp cheddar cheese.
- You can substitute plain yogurt with buttermilk if desired.
- If biscuits do not brown enough, you can broil for an additional minute or two, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Biscuits are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days and reheated gently.
