Angel Biscuits are soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet biscuits that combine the lightness of a yeast roll with the flakiness of a traditional biscuit. They’re perfect for breakfast or as a side dish with dinner. Here’s a recipe to make Homemade Angel Biscuits from scratch:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup cold vegetable shortening or lard
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)
- 1/4 cup warm water (around 110°F)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and stir gently. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the yeast becomes foamy.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cut in the Butter and Shortening:
- Add the cold butter and shortening (or lard) to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your hands to cut the butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of fat.
4. Add the Yeast Mixture:
- Once the yeast has foamed, add the buttermilk (or milk mixture) and yeast mixture to the flour mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. The dough should be soft but not too sticky. If it’s too sticky, you can add a bit more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
5. Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead it about 4-5 times. Be careful not to overwork the dough, or the biscuits may be tough.
6. Roll Out the Dough:
- Roll the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter (or a glass with a sharp edge) to cut out biscuits. Press straight down without twisting to help the biscuits rise evenly.
7. Place on a Baking Sheet:
- Arrange the biscuits on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. If you want the biscuits to be soft and fluffy, place them close together so they touch, but if you want them to be crispier on the edges, place them farther apart.
8. Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Bake the biscuits for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
9. Serve:
- Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. You can brush the tops with a little melted butter for extra flavor.
Tips:
- For extra flakiness, you can fold the dough a few times before cutting the biscuits. This creates more layers.
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and shortening help create the flaky texture.
- Buttermilk substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to sour.
These Angel Biscuits are perfect for a comforting breakfast with jam or honey, or alongside your favorite meal!