Buttery Maple-Thyme Biscuits

• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 2 thyme sprigs plus 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped thyme
2. 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3. 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
4. 1 tablespoon baking powder
5. 1/2 teaspoon table salt
6. 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
7. 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
8. Coarse sea salt

1. In a small saucepan, cover the thyme sprigs with the maple syrup and simmer over moderate heat for 1 minute; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, table salt and chopped thyme. Cut in the butter until it's pea-size. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk. Stir with a fork until the dough is evenly moistened; turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and gather into a ball.
3. Roll out the dough 3/4 inch thick. Using a floured 2 3/4-inch round cookie cutter, stamp out the biscuits as close together as possible. Press the scraps together and stamp out more biscuits. Transfer the biscuits to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°. Brush the biscuits with the maple glaze and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in the upper third of the oven for 20 minutes, or until golden. Serve warm.