Light, Fluffy Southern Biscuits That Combine the Best of Yeast Rolls and Baking Powder Biscuits
Soft, tender, and wonderfully fluffy, Angel Biscuits are a beloved Southern classic that beautifully combines the richness of traditional biscuits with the light texture of yeast rolls. Thanks to the addition of yeast, these biscuits rise high while maintaining the buttery, tender crumb that makes homemade biscuits a family favorite.
Featured in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook, this recipe showcases the kind of make-ahead comfort food that has long graced holiday tables, Sunday dinners, church suppers, and family reunions throughout the South. Refrigerating the dough overnight allows the flavors to develop while making it easy to bake fresh biscuits whenever they’re needed.
Ingredients
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Crisco Shortening
- 2 cups buttermilk
Makes: 4 dozen biscuits
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut the Crisco shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir the dissolved yeast into the buttermilk, then gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Place the dough in a large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Roll or pat the chilled dough to about ½-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut biscuits using a floured 1¾-inch biscuit cutter.
- Arrange the biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the biscuits are lightly browned.
Pro Tips & Suggestions
- Refrigerating the dough overnight gives the yeast time to develop flavor while making the dough easier to handle.
- Handle the dough gently to keep the biscuits light and tender.
- Avoid twisting the biscuit cutter when cutting the dough so the biscuits rise evenly.
- Brush the tops with melted butter immediately after baking for a soft, golden finish.
- Serve warm with butter, homemade preserves, honey, sausage gravy, or alongside your favorite Southern meal.
About the Creator
The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) compiled The Black Family Reunion Cookbook to preserve African American culinary traditions, treasured family recipes, and the stories that connect generations. Through recipes and food memories contributed by families across the United States, the cookbook celebrates the central role that food plays in family reunions, holidays, church gatherings, and community celebrations while honoring Black history, culture, and heritage.
The Black Family Reunion Cookbook | National Council of Negro Women
Where to Find This Recipe
This recipe is adapted from The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes & Food Memories by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. The cookbook is a treasured collection of heritage recipes, family traditions, and personal stories that celebrate African American cooking, Southern hospitality, and the enduring legacy of Black family reunions.
