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    Home » Recipes » Bread

    Easy Cornmeal Biscuits with Orange Butter

    Published: Mar 16, 2025 by Sharon Rigsby · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    These easy Cornmeal Biscuits with Orange Butter are crispy, buttery, and delicious!

    There’s nothing quite like a warm, buttery biscuit fresh from the oven—except when you add a little Southern flair with cornmeal and buttermilk and top it with sweet, citrusy orange butter.

    A white plate with two cornmeal drop biscuits and a bowl of orange butter in the back.

    Sometimes called cornbread biscuits or cornmeal buttermilk biscuits, these cornmeal drop biscuits are perfect for any occasion. Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or with dinner.

    Whether you’re a biscuit pro or new to baking, this made from scratch, easy drop biscuit recipe is foolproof and delivers the best combination of fluffy, buttery, and subtly sweet with a touch of crunch from the cornmeal.

    And that orange butter? A compound butter, it’s pure magic—silky, citrusy, and just the right amount of sweetness.

    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love this recipe!
    • Ingredients and easy substitutions
    • How to make the best Cornmeal Biscuits and Orange Butter
    • Serving and menu suggestions
    • Recipe variations and twists
    • Storage, reheating and freezing tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Pro tips for perfect results every time
    • More Southern biscuit and other savory quick bread recipes
    • Final thoughts
    • 📋 Recipe:

    Why you’ll love this recipe!

    1. Because they are drop biscuits, they are the easiest biscuits ever; no rolling pins or fancy techniques needed.
    2. The orange butter takes these old-fashioned homemade biscuits over the top. They are sweet, tangy, and downright irresistible.
    3. Make ahead-friendly – The cornmeal biscuits and orange butter can be prepped beforehand!

    Ingredients and easy substitutions

    Biscuit ingredients including flour, cornmeal, butter, buttermilk and baking powder.

    Below are my notes (including substitutions) for the main ingredients. The recipe card below provides a complete list of all ingredients and measurements.

    • Flour & cornmeal – The perfect mix of structure and texture. Use stone-ground cornmeal for a heartier bite.
    • Cold butter – Key for flaky biscuits! Keep it chilled and cut into small pieces before mixing.
    • Buttermilk – Helps create a soft, tender biscuit. No buttermilk? Make a quick substitute by mixing one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk and letting it sit for five minutes.
    • Baking powder – Ensure your biscuits rise beautifully.
    • Orange marmalade – Adds fresh, bright citrus flavor to the butter. If you don’t have orange marmalade, try substituting apricot, peach, or strawberry preserves.
    • Powdered sugar – Balances the tartness of the marmalade.

    How to make the best Cornmeal Biscuits and Orange Butter

    1. Preheat the oven to 450°F and prepare your baking sheet by greasing it, or lining it with a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
    2. Add the dry ingredients—flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt, to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse a few times to combine. Then add the cold butter. Pulse a few times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
    3. Pour this mixture into a medium-sized bowl and add the buttermilk. Stir until the mixture just comes together. Do not overmix, or your biscuits will be tough. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more buttermilk, about a tablespoon at a time. If the mixture appears too runny, add a little more flour, about a tablespoon at a time.
    A food processor with flour, cornmeal and other dry ingredients.
    A clear glass bowl full of biscuit dough.
    1. Spray the inside of a quarter cup measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray and use it to scoop out your biscuits. Drop the biscuits about an inch apart onto your prepared baking sheet.
    2. Bake the biscuits for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
    Scooping cornmeal biscuit dough on a baking sheet.
    1. While the biscuits are baking, combine the softened butter, orange marmalade, and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
    2. Serve the cornmeal biscuits hot, and top with the orange butter! Enjoy!
    A white platter full of drop cornmeal biscuits.

    Serving and menu suggestions

    Cornmeal drop biscuits are incredibly versatile and go well with just about anything! Here is how I like to serve them hot from the oven:

    🥓 Classic Southern breakfast: Pair them with my Cottage Cheese Egg Bake, Cast Iron Breakfast Skillet, Sausage Gravy, or add a slice of Glazed Ham for a grab and so breakfast.
    🍯 Sweet and simple – Drizzle with Hot Honey, regular honey, or serve with my homemade Blackberry Jam.
    🍗 Savory side – Great alongside my Southern Fried Chicken, Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs, or a bowl of Salsa Verde Chicken Chili.

    Recipe variations and twists

    • Cheesy Biscuits – Add a half cup shredded cheddar cheese to the dough for a savory twist and serve with Garlic Herb Butter.
    • Spicy Kick – Stir in a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeños for a bit of heat.

    Storage, reheating and freezing tips

    • Leftover cornmeal biscuits are delicious the next day. Simply reheat them on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.
    • Store leftover biscuits at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days.
    • Store the orange butter in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
    • Reinvent leftovers by splitting and filling them with eggs, cheese, and bacon, smothering them with sausage gravy, or splitting them and layering them with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a quick dessert.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I make these biscuits ahead of time?

    For best results and a proper rise, bake them fresh. If you are in a pinch, you can prepare the dough and drop the biscuits onto a baking sheet, then cover and refrigerate them for up to 8 hours before baking.

    Can I freeze the biscuit dough?

    Absolutely! Freeze the unbaked dough by dropping portions onto a lined baking sheet and freezing until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and bake straight from frozen—add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

    Can I use white cornmeal instead of yellow?

    Yes! Your biscuits will have a slightly milder flavor but still work fine. If you can find it, locally sourced stone-ground cornmeal is even better.

    Pro tips for perfect results every time

    • If you don’t have a food processor, you can also use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut the butter in. Or, you can freeze the butter and grate it in using a box grater.
    • Drop biscuits should be light and tender, not dense. Make sure you:
      Don’t overmix—stir just until combined. Use cold butter—it creates steam pockets for a lighter texture. And measure your flour and cornmeal correctly—spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off (don’t pack it in).
    • The orange butter makes a fabulous hostess gift packaged in a cute jar with a bow.

    More Southern biscuit and other savory quick bread recipes

    If you like easy bread recipes like I do, be sure to check out these quick and easy favorites:

    • Easy Southern Cheddar Biscuits in a stack hot out of the oven
      Easy Southern Cheddar Biscuits Recipe
    • A basket of sweet potato biscuits made with buttermilk.
      Southern Sweet Potato Biscuits with Buttermilk
    • A round of rustic bread on a kitchen towel with a bowl of butter.
      Traditional Irish Soda Bread – Four Ingredients
    • A loaf of herb and cheddar cheese bread on a cutting board with slices cut.
      Herb and Cheese Bread (A Quick Bread)

    Final thoughts

    These Cornmeal Biscuits with Orange Butter are the perfect combination of rustic and refined—hearty, buttery biscuits with a sweet, citrusy topping that will have you reaching for seconds. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or as a side for dinner, they’re guaranteed to impress.

    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Did you make this recipe? I’d be thrilled to hear what you thought! Did you add your own twist or have a tip to share? Drop a comment below—I read every one—and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Your feedback not only makes my day but also helps others find and perfect this recipe.

    Thanks for stopping by Grits and Pinecones! Your visit means the world to me. I hope you’ll swing back soon for more Southern-inspired goodness. 💛

    Happy baking! 🍊🥰

    📋 Recipe:

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    Cornmeal biscuits split on a plate, topped with a scoop of orange butter.

    Easy Cornmeal Biscuits with Orange Butter Recipe

    Sharon Rigsby
    Delight in the crispy, buttery goodness of easy-to-make cornmeal biscuits topped with sweet orange butter. A perfect treat for any meal.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 14 minutes mins
    Total Time 24 minutes mins
    Course Bread, Breakfast/Brunch
    Cuisine American, Southern
    Servings 12 biscuits
    Calories 281 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Cornmeal Biscuits Ingredients:

    • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • ⅔ cup cornmeal
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ cup cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
    • 1½ cups buttermilk

    Orange Butter Ingredients:

    • ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
    • 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
    • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

    Instructions
     

    Cornmeal Biscuits Directions:

    • Preheat the oven to 450°F and prepare your baking sheet by greasing it, or lining it with a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
    • Add the dry ingredients—flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse a few times to combine. Then add the cold butter. Pulse a few times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
    • Pour this mixture into a medium-sized bowl and add the buttermilk. Stir until the mixture just comes together. Do not overmix, or your biscuits will be tough. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more buttermilk, about a tablespoon at a time. If the mixture appears too runny, add a little more flour, about a tablespoon at a time.
    • Spray the inside of a quarter cup measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray and use it to scoop out your biscuits. Drop the biscuits about an inch apart onto your prepared baking sheet.
    • Bake the biscuits for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

    Orange Butter Directions:

    • While the biscuits are baking, combine the softened butter, orange marmalade, and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
    • Serve the cornmeal biscuits hot, and top with the orange butter! Enjoy!

    Notes

    No buttermilk? Make a quick substitute by mixing one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk and letting it sit for five minutes.
    Leftover cornmeal biscuits are delicious the next day. Reheat them on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.
    Store leftover biscuits at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days.
    Store the orange butter in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
    Reinvent leftovers by splitting and filling them with eggs, cheese, and bacon, smothering them with sausage gravy, or splitting them and layering them with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a quick dessert
    If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut the butter. You can also freeze the butter and grate it using a box grater.
    Drop biscuits should be light and tender, not dense. Make sure you:
    don’t overmix—stir just until combined. Use cold butter—it creates steam pockets for a lighter texture. And measure your flour and cornmeal correctly—spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off (don’t pack it in).
    The orange butter makes a fabulous hostess gift packaged in a cute jar with a bow. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 135mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 525IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Leah Langfitt

      April 28, 2025 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent and easy! Delicious and different from the usual biscuit. Great with barbeque! Recipe directions mention baking soda, but not the ingredient list??

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        April 28, 2025 at 3:36 pm

        Hi Leah, I am so sorry; I’m not sure what happened with adding baking soda in the directions. This recipe does not call for baking soda. I appreciate your letting me know, and I have corrected the directions. I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion, and I’m so happy you enjoyed the biscuits.
        All the best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    2. Hyon Ro

      June 16, 2018 at 8:30 pm

      can you make the dough ahead and freeze?

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        June 16, 2018 at 8:42 pm

        I’ve never frozen the dough so I can’t say for sure, but I have put together the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients and stored them separately, then mixed together when I was ready to make the biscuits.

        Reply
    3. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices

      May 05, 2017 at 11:41 am

      5 stars
      I like cornmeal very much, even in my baking, so I’m loving these cornmeal biscuits. And the pairing with the orange butter makes them yummier!

      Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, content creator, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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