Skip to main content

Angel Biscuits

Yeast is used as part of the leavening to give these biscuits the light, airy texture that inspired their name.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 24

Ingredients

6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 envelope active dry yeast (1 scant tablespoon)
1/4 cup warm water (105° to 110°F)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted and cooled to 115°F
2 cups buttermilk, room temperature

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and allow to stand until creamy looking, about 5 minutes.

    Step 2

    In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour mixture and the yeast mixture, melted butter, and 1 cup buttermilk. Stir to combine. Add the remaining flour and buttermilk alternately, stirring between additions. When a sticky dough forms, cover it with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours.

    Step 3

    Preheat the oven to 450°F. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and turn out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead a few times, and roll to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out with a 2 1/4-inch round biscuit or cookie cutter, and place on a baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden on top and done in the middle. Remove from the oven; cool on a wire rack. Serve warm.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Invert the ratio of gin to vermouth for a party-friendly and slightly lighter drinking experience.
No grill needed for this just-charred-enough sweet and spicy chicken.
Loosely inspired by pasta Amatriciana, a few pounds of zucchini stand in for tomatoes.
Like banana pudding cake and beer can chicken.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.