Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe

Fluffy Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe: Heavenly Morning Magic

Crafting delectable homemade angel biscuits transports you to a world of buttery, cloud-like comfort.

Soft layers promise pure breakfast bliss with minimal effort.

Southern kitchens cherish these magical treats passed through generations.

Fluffy textures melt effortlessly on your tongue, creating instant joy.

Simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary without complicated techniques.

A pinch of yeast gives these biscuits their signature rise and tender crumb.

You’ll adore how quickly these delightful morsels come together in your own kitchen.

One bite promises to make these your new weekend breakfast tradition.

Angel Biscuits That Bake Up Soft and Fluffy

Unlock Versatile Baking Magic: Craft Irresistible Angel Biscuits with These Winning Features

  • Flexible Prep Power: Make dough ahead and refrigerate up to 5 days, perfect for busy home cooks wanting fresh baked goods without daily stress.
  • Technique-Building Delight: Master classic pastry skills like cutting butter, kneading dough, and creating flaky textures that boost culinary confidence.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Soft, buttery biscuits appeal to all ages, making them ideal for family breakfasts, weekend brunches, or cozy dinner sides.
  • Simple Ingredient Charm: Uses basic pantry staples like flour, butter, and buttermilk, ensuring accessibility for home bakers with minimal special shopping.

Homemade Angel Biscuits Ingredient Guide

Leavening Ingredients:
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for helping the biscuits rise and creating a light, fluffy texture. Fresh yeast ensures better rising power.
  • Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with browning. Standard granulated sugar works best.
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the biscuits. Provides the base for a tender crumb. Unbleached flour recommended for better texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Fat and Moisture Ingredients:
  • Butter, Shortening: Creates flaky, tender layers in the biscuits. Cold butter is crucial for achieving the perfect texture. Unsalted butter preferred for better control of saltiness.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the dough. Provides moisture and helps activate the leavening agents. Whole buttermilk gives the best results.
  • Melted Butter: Used for brushing to create a golden, rich exterior. Adds extra flavor and shine to the biscuits.

Angel Biscuit Instructions for Fluffy Layers

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Sprinkle yeast into warm water with a touch of sugar.

Watch the mixture transform into a bubbly, frothy potion that signals the magic is about to begin.

Step 2: Create the Flour Foundation

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl.

This dry blend will be the canvas for your culinary masterpiece.

Step 3: Work the Fat into Flakiness

Dive into the bowl with cold butter and shortening.

Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to break down the fats until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs.

This is where the biscuits get their melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 4: Bring the Dough to Life

Pour in the activated yeast and buttermilk.

Gently stir until the ingredients just come together.

Don’t overwork the dough – let it remain slightly shaggy and mysterious.

Step 5: Rest and Develop Flavor

Wrap the bowl in plastic and tuck it into the refrigerator.

Let the dough chill and develop its complex flavors for at least 2 hours or up to 5 days.

Step 6: Shape the Biscuits

Preheat the oven to a toasty 400°F.

Dust your work surface with flour and turn out the dough.

Knead it gently 3-4 times, adding a sprinkle of flour if it feels sticky.

Roll the dough to a generous 3/4-inch thickness.

Fold it over and roll again for extra layers of flakiness.

Use a cookie cutter to transform the dough into perfect circular biscuits.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Choose your baking vessel:
  • Cast iron skillet
  • Baking sheet with parchment paper

Nestle the biscuits close together so they rise and touch.

Brush the tops with melted butter for a golden, glossy finish.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the biscuits into the oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 9: Final Butter Flourish

Give the hot biscuits a final brush of melted butter.

This adds shine and an extra layer of rich flavor.

Angel Biscuit Tips for Soft, Fluffy Layers

  • Ensure water is precisely warm (not hot) to help yeast bloom perfectly without killing its live cultures.
  • Refrigerating dough develops deeper flavor and creates incredible layers by allowing gluten to relax and butter to firm up.
  • Handle dough minimally to keep biscuits tender, using light touches that prevent overworking the mixture.
  • Positioning biscuits touching each other in a cast iron skillet helps them rise higher and creates soft, interconnected edges.
  • Apply melted butter before and after baking to achieve a golden, glossy exterior with rich, irresistible flavor.

Store Homemade Angel Biscuits

  • Store leftover angel biscuits in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag for up to 3 days. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
  • Wrap biscuits individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month to preserve their delicate texture and flavor.
  • Warm refrigerated or frozen biscuits at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Brush with a little butter to restore moisture and crispness.
  • Warm single biscuits for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Be careful not to overheat, which can make them tough and chewy.

Savory Complements to Homemade Angel Biscuits

  • Pair Fresh Herbs with Creamy Spreads: Sprinkle freshly chopped rosemary or thyme on top of these angel biscuits and serve alongside a rich herbed cream cheese or soft goat cheese for a delightful flavor explosion.
  • Complement with Southern Comfort Sides: Serve alongside classic southern dishes like country ham, scrambled eggs, or sausage gravy to create a hearty breakfast or brunch that highlights the biscuits' delicate texture.
  • Match with Fruity Preserves: Offer homemade strawberry jam, peach preserves, or apple butter as a sweet accompaniment that contrasts beautifully with the buttery, light biscuit base and adds a touch of natural sweetness.
  • Create Wine and Beverage Harmony: Pour a crisp Chardonnay or a light sparkling prosecco to cut through the biscuits' richness, or enjoy with fresh-squeezed orange juice or a robust morning coffee for a perfect morning pairing.

Angel Biscuits with Dough Adjustments

  • Gluten-Free Angel Biscuits: Replace wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains soft texture.
  • Whole Wheat Angel Biscuits: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to boost nutritional value and add a slightly nutty flavor profile.
  • Dairy-Free Angel Biscuits: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and choose plant-based shortening for lactose-intolerant individuals.
  • Herb-Infused Angel Biscuits: Incorporate dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives into the dry ingredients to create a savory herb-enhanced biscuit perfect for accompanying soups or main dishes.

FAQs

  • Why use both yeast and baking powder in angel biscuits?

The combination creates a lighter, fluffier texture with both chemical and biological leavening, ensuring a soft, tender biscuit that rises beautifully.

  • Can I make angel biscuits without buttermilk?

You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to create a similar tangy, acidic effect.

  • How do I know if my yeast is still active?

Check for frothiness after 5 minutes. If the mixture doesn’t become foamy and increase in volume, your yeast is likely dead and won’t work properly in the recipe.

  • Is refrigerating the dough really necessary?

Yes, chilling develops flavor and makes the dough easier to handle. It also allows the gluten to relax, resulting in more tender biscuits.

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Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe

Homemade Angel Biscuits Recipe


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4.5 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Delicate homemade angel biscuits float like clouds from Southern kitchens, promising pure comfort. Southern hospitality meets buttery perfection, inviting you to savor each heavenly, flaky bite of pure culinary joy.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 5 1/2 cups Lilly white yeast flour
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup cold shortening, cubed

Yeast and Sugar:

  • 1 (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup hot water (100 to 110 degrees)

Additional Ingredients:

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup melted butter (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water with a pinch of sugar, allowing the mixture to bloom and become foamy for about 5 minutes.
  2. Sift together the dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a light and airy foundation for the biscuits.
  3. Transform the cold butter and shortening into a crumbly texture by methodically cutting them into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or two forks.
  4. Incorporate the frothy yeast mixture and buttermilk into the dry ingredients, gently stirring until the dough reaches a cohesive, moistened consistency.
  5. Wrap the dough securely and nestle it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the flavors to develop and the gluten to relax.
  6. Prepare the baking environment by preheating the oven to 400°F (200°C) and creating a lightly floured workspace.
  7. Liberate the chilled dough onto the floured surface, kneading it gently 3-4 times to ensure smooth integration. Adjust with a sprinkle of flour if the dough feels too tacky.
  8. Roll the dough into a generous 3/4-inch thick circle, then fold it in half and roll again to maintain an even thickness.
  9. Craft the biscuits by pressing a cookie cutter through the dough, creating uniform rounds with clean edges.
  10. Arrange the cut biscuits in a seasoned cast iron skillet or on a parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning them so they barely touch, which encourages rising.
  11. Lavish the biscuit tops with a brushing of melted butter, creating a golden promise of deliciousness.
  12. Slide the skillet or baking sheet into the preheated oven, baking for 15-20 minutes until the biscuits transform into a rich, amber-hued delicacy.
  13. Complete the culinary journey by painting the freshly baked biscuits with a final layer of melted butter, ensuring a lustrous and inviting finish.

Notes

  • Activate the yeast carefully by using warm water between 100-110°F to ensure proper activation without killing the microorganisms.
  • Chill the dough thoroughly to develop complex flavor profiles and enhance the texture of the biscuits, allowing gluten to relax and creating a more tender crumb.
  • Keep butter and shortening extremely cold when cutting into the flour mixture to create flaky, layered biscuits that separate beautifully when pulled apart.
  • Experiment with gluten-free flour blends for those with wheat sensitivities, using a 1:1 replacement ratio to maintain similar texture and richness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 260
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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