Lemon-Thyme Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 
• 0.3 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• 2 cups flour for dusting all-purpose plus more
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves fresh plus more for sprinkling chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for sprinkling
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest finely grated
• 4 tablespoons butter unsalted cold cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ 

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• oven
• whisk
• blender
• wooden spoon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, wheat germ, salt, lemon zest and thyme in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it is in pea-size pieces. Gently stir in the buttermilk with a wooden spoon until just moistened. The dough will be loose.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3 to 5 times, just until it comes together. (Don't overknead or the biscuits will be tough.)
4. Roll out to 1/2 inch thick, then cut out biscuits using a floured 2-inch-round cutter. Arrange on an ungreased baking sheet. Reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits.
5. Brush the tops with water and sprinkle lightly with salt and thyme.
6. Bake the biscuits until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
7. Serve warm.
8. Photograph by Yunhee Kim