ANGEL BISCUITS

Angel Biscuits image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Time 2h30m

Yield 3 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 9

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Ingredients

1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
4 cups all-purpose flour, and more for kneading and rolling
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2/3 cup vegetable shortening, chilled
2 tablespoons melted salted butter

Steps:

Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm water (about 105 degrees) in a one-quart bowl, and set aside.
Place the buttermilk in a small saucepan, and heat, stirring constantly, over low heat 4 to 5 minutes, until just lukewarm. Stir into the yeast mixture, and set aside.
In a large bowl, sift 4 cups flour with the baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the shortening. Using two knives, a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Alternatively, the dry ingredients can be sifted into a food processor, the shortening cut in by pulsing, and the mixture transferred to a large bowl.
Gradually add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring constantly, to form a soft dough. Sprinkle the dough with a little more flour, form it into a ball and knead it lightly in the bowl about 2 minutes, until it is fairly smooth. Roll it on a lightly floured surface into a circle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2-inch rounds with a biscuit cutter or a glass. The scraps can be lightly kneaded together, rolled and cut.
Place the biscuits at least 1 inch apart on two large ungreased baking sheets. Brush the tops with melted butter. Cover with a cloth, and set aside to rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Adjust oven rack to the lower third.
Bake the biscuits, one sheet at a time, 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown. Remove immediately from the baking sheet, and serve while still hot.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 99, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 70 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram