Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe
If you have ever dreamt of a tender, flaky, and subtly sweet biscuit that practically melts in your mouth, then this Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe will be your new go-to comfort food. These biscuits bring together the perfect blend of soft crumb and golden crust, with a light yeast rise that elevates their fluffiness to heavenly heights. Whether you’re making breakfast, brunch, or just craving a delightful snack, this recipe offers that warm, buttery bite you’ll find yourself craving again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the perfect Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe is all about using simple, quality ingredients that work harmoniously to create a tender yet fluffy biscuit. Each ingredient plays an essential role in flavor, texture, or helping the dough rise beautifully.
- 5 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the biscuit, providing structure and a tender crumb when properly handled.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the savory elements and enhance browning.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: A key leavening agent that helps give the biscuits a light and fluffy texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Works with the buttermilk to create even lift and a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Essential for amplifying the flavor and balancing the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed: Adds rich flavor and creates flaky layers when cut into the flour.
- 1/2 cup shortening: Keeps the biscuits tender and moist without weighing them down.
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast: Gives the biscuit a gentle rise and a delicate, airy crumb.
- 1/4 cup warm water (about 110°F): Activates the yeast to get the dough nicely bubbly and ready to rise.
- 2 cups buttermilk: Adds moisture, tanginess, and reacts with the leavening agents to make the dough light and flavorful.
How to Make Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by combining your flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisking these together evenly distributes your leavening agents and seasoning, setting a flavorful foundation for your biscuits.
Step 2: Cut in the Butter and Shortening
Using a pastry blender or a couple of forks, cut the cold butter and shortening into your dry mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. This is the magic step that ensures your biscuits will be flaky and tender by creating little layers of fat throughout the dough.
Step 3: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let it rest for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This signals your yeast is ready to work its rising magic in the dough.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the yeast mixture and buttermilk into your flour mixture. Gently stir until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix here; you want your dough soft but not sticky or tough.
Step 5: Knead the Dough Lightly
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it gently about 3 to 4 times just to bind everything together. Over-kneading can lead to dense biscuits, so keep it light and easy.
Step 6: Cut the Biscuits
Roll out your dough to about 1-inch thickness, then cut into rounds using your favorite biscuit cutter. Gather any scraps, re-roll, and cut again to maximize your yield.
Step 7: Let the Biscuits Rise
Place your cut biscuits on a baking sheet and cover them with a clean towel. Allow them to rise for 30 minutes—this step is what helps make these biscuits incredibly fluffy and divine.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the biscuits for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown on top. You’ll know they’re ready when they smell buttery and look irresistibly inviting.
Step 9: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Bring your biscuits out of the oven and serve them warm. Whether paired with butter, honey, or your favorite spread, these biscuits are best enjoyed fresh to savor their melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
How to Serve Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe is already a star, but adding a pat of whipped butter or a drizzle of honey elevates each bite. For a savory twist, sprinkle with fresh herbs like chives or parsley right before serving.
Side Dishes
These biscuits pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Think creamy gravies, hot soups, or a crisp fried chicken dinner. They also elevate simple eggs and bacon, making your breakfast or brunch spread feel extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe into delightful sliders by slicing them open and filling them with ham, cheese, or even egg salad. They also make a fantastic base for strawberry shortcake or a decadent jam and cream cheese combo for afternoon tea.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover biscuits are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps maintain their softness without drying out or becoming tough.
Freezing
If you want to make these biscuits ahead of time, they freeze beautifully! Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the biscuits in a warm oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This warming method revives their fresh-baked texture and flavor much better than microwaving.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While you can substitute regular milk, the buttermilk’s acidity reacts with the baking soda to help the biscuits rise and adds a lovely tangy flavor. If needed, you can mimic buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
Is it necessary to use both butter and shortening?
Yes, using a combination of cold butter and shortening balances flavor and texture. Butter provides rich taste and flakiness, while shortening helps keep the biscuits tender and moist.
Why do these biscuits use yeast?
The yeast gives these biscuits an extra light and airy texture that sets them apart from standard quick biscuits. It adds a subtle complexity in flavor and creates that perfect rise, making every bite feel heavenly.
Can I make these biscuits dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the buttermilk with a plant-based milk mixed with lemon juice and replace butter and shortening with dairy-free options of similar consistency. Keep in mind texture and flavor might slightly vary.
How thick should I roll the dough?
Rolling the dough to about 1 inch thick is ideal. Thinner dough can turn the biscuits crispy, while thicker dough might require longer baking times and result in denser biscuits.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe, it’s easy to see why it becomes an instant favorite. Tender, fluffy, and utterly delicious, they bring a touch of comfort and joy to any meal. So go ahead, gather these simple ingredients, and treat yourself to the kind of biscuit that feels like a warm hug from the inside out.
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Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
These Homemade Angel Biscuits are perfectly fluffy, tender, and lightly sweetened biscuits made with a combination of yeast and baking powder for a wonderfully airy texture. With a golden crust and soft crumb, they’re ideal for breakfast or as a comforting side to any meal.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Fats
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup shortening
Yeast Mixture
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (about 110°F)
Liquids
- 2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until fully combined for an even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cut in Fats: Use a pastry blender or two forks to cut the cold butter and shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, creating small fat pockets essential for a flaky biscuit texture.
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water (about 110°F) and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to leaven the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the frothy yeast mixture and buttermilk to the flour mixture. Stir gently until the dough begins to come together, being careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently 3–4 times to bring all ingredients together without overworking, ensuring light biscuits.
- Roll and Cut Biscuits: Roll the dough to 1-inch thickness and use a biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits. Re-roll any scraps to use the dough fully.
- Proof Biscuits: Place the cut biscuits on a baking sheet, cover them with a clean towel, and let them rise at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the yeast to activate further and create a fluffy texture.
- Preheat Oven: During the last few minutes of proofing, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes or until they turn golden brown, indicating they are fully cooked with a tender crumb and crisp crust.
- Serve Warm: Remove the biscuits from the oven and serve warm with butter, honey, or your favorite spread to enjoy their full flavor and softness.
Notes
- Use cold butter and shortening for flaky layers in your biscuits.
- Handle the dough gently and avoid over-kneading to keep biscuits tender.
- If buttermilk isn’t available, make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Covering the biscuits while they rise prevents them from drying out.
- For extra golden biscuits, brush the tops with melted butter before baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American