Description
Southern kitchens sparkle with angel biscuits, a pillowy Southern delicacy blending yeast and baking powder for irresistible layers. Light and flaky textures invite you to savor each buttery, tender bite of pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Dry Ingredients:
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Fats and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) shortening, cold and cubed
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) buttermilk
Yeast and Activation Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) warm water (105°F to 115°F)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 450°F (232°C) and ready a baking sheet with parchment paper or light grease.
- Activate the yeast by mixing with warm water and allowing it to become foamy for 5-10 minutes, which ensures proper rising.
- Blend dry ingredients thoroughly in a large mixing bowl, including flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to create an even mixture.
- Incorporate cold butter and shortening into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter, working until the texture resembles coarse crumbs with small pea-sized bits.
- Pour buttermilk and activated yeast into the flour mixture, stirring gently until just combined while maintaining a slightly sticky consistency.
- Transfer dough onto a floured surface and pat down to approximately 1-inch thickness, avoiding rolling pin use to preserve tenderness.
- Use a floured biscuit cutter to shape biscuits, carefully transferring each cut piece to the prepared baking sheet and re-rolling remaining dough as needed.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top that indicates perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven, allow brief cooling, and serve warm with butter or preserves for a delightful brunch experience.
Notes
- Keep ingredients cold for the flakiest texture, especially butter and buttermilk, which create those signature tender layers.
- Use fresh yeast to guarantee maximum rise and ensure your baking powder and baking soda aren’t expired for optimal leavening.
- Handle dough minimally to prevent tough biscuits; gentle mixing maintains delicate, soft crumb structure.
- Customize by adding herbs like rosemary or chives directly into dry ingredients for savory variations that complement breakfast or brunch spreads.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern Cuisine
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg