These light and fluffy Angel Biscuits are a delightful addition to any meal. With the perfect blend of yeast, baking powder, and baking soda, these biscuits rise beautifully, delivering a tender, airy texture that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, as a side for dinner, or just as a snack, these biscuits are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Biscuits:
- 4 1/2 teaspoons (2 packages or 14 g) active yeast
- 3 tablespoons warm water (110 to 115°F)
- 5 cups (700 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g) white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (115 g) cold butter
- 1/2 cup (95 g) cold shortening
- 2 cups buttermilk
To Finish:
- Extra flour for forming and cutting biscuits
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
👩🍳 Method
1️⃣ Dissolve the Yeast:
Start by placing the yeast in a small bowl. Add the warm water and stir until the yeast dissolves completely, forming a thick paste. Set aside.
2️⃣ Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, kosher salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Use a balloon whisk to stir the dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.
3️⃣ Add the Butter and Shortening:
Cut the cold butter and shortening into 1/2-inch chunks and sprinkle them over the dry ingredients. Using your fingers, smash and break the butter and shortening into the flour mixture until they are flattened and about the size of peas. This will help create those signature flaky layers in the biscuits.
4️⃣ Make the Biscuit Dough:
Stir the yeast paste into the buttermilk until well combined. Pour this mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a large spatula, mix until a rough dough forms. You may need to knead the dough a few times with your hands to incorporate all the dry, crumbly bits at the bottom of the bowl.
5️⃣ Pat and Fold the Dough:
Lightly sprinkle flour on a clean work surface and dump the dough onto it. Pat the dough into a rough rectangle about 1-inch thick. Fold the dough in half, then rotate it 90 degrees. Repeat this process two more times, sprinkling a bit of flour under the dough if it starts to stick. After the final fold, pat the dough out one more time to a 1-inch thickness.
6️⃣ Cut Out the Biscuits:
Dip a 2-inch round biscuit cutter in flour, then press straight down into the dough without twisting the cutter. Cut out as many biscuits as possible. Gather the dough scraps together and repeat until all the dough is used.
7️⃣ Place Biscuits in Skillet and Let Rise:
Brush a large 12-inch cast iron skillet with some of the melted butter. Arrange the biscuits in the skillet, making sure they touch slightly. If you have extra biscuits that don’t fit, place them in another baking pan or smaller cast iron skillet. Cover the skillet with plastic wrap and let the biscuits rise for 1 hour.
8️⃣ Preheat the Oven:
About 15 minutes before the biscuits finish rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
9️⃣ Bake the Biscuits:
After the biscuits have risen, brush the tops with the remaining melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Let the biscuits cool in the skillet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
🔟 Serve:
Serve the biscuits warm with butter, honey, or your favorite jam. They’re perfect for breakfast, as a side with dinner, or just on their own as a delicious snack.
🥐 Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 253 kcal
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Protein: 5 g
Conclusion
These Angel Biscuits are a perfect blend of light, fluffy, and buttery goodness. Their tender crumb and slight sweetness make them versatile enough to pair with any meal, from breakfast to dinner. Whether you’re serving them alongside your favorite dishes or enjoying them with a smear of butter and honey, these biscuits are sure to delight. Enjoy your homemade Angel Biscuits! 🥐😊