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
Scale
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
