Buttermilk Angel Biscuits

Hey, there! While I am away snuggling this brand new babe and trying to navigate parenthood (aka keep him alive) I’ve asked a few friendly bloggers to share a recipe with you. Next up is one of my favorite storytellers with just enough snarky attitude to make me comfortable, Erika of Southern Soufflé. 

First, let me say how much I adore Cindy.. aka my “sista in snark” and I’m honored that she would allow me to guest post on her wonderful space.

Of course I had to bring biscuits to this guest posting party.

Light fluffy buttermilk angel biscuits to celebrate the angels that are baby boys..

Angel Biscuits are a cross between yeast rolls and grandma’s buttermilk biscuits and (in the south) are sometimes called Bride Biscuits.

Growing up, there was a saying. “The chicken bathes while the biscuits rise” This meant your chicken only needed to sit in that buttermilk for as long as the angel biscuits needed to rise.

But, this was normally on a Sunday and Sunday morning Granny would make those biscuits and set about preparing her fried chicken then we would head to church. On a good day.. a  good Southern Baptist Methodist AME Zion day, church would end as the sun was going down. So I’d be dammed if them biscuits hadn’t risen to hell and back by the time we got home.  So our Sunday Buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits were always heavenly.

Angel Biscuits were also what we took celebrate a new life, so I thought I’d keep the tradition going and make some in honor of Cindy and Sean’s little angel.

With the help of my angel who has become a very curious 3 year old green bean hater, that some days finds issues with wearing pants and is not cool with potty training.  So yes, he will be a grown man wearing pull-ups because I am losing that battle, and my husband thinks it’s all funny so I’ll blame him.

Boys are one of the sweetest most precious of miracles. (Don’t tell my teenage daughter I said that because right now she hates everything) They bring non-stop action and the warmest of hugs and snuggles.

And bugs and dirt and other things they find in the garage or outside.

“Here Mommy.. Look.. See”

My son has developed my love for biscuits. He stands at my legs and peeks over the table every time I make them. Which of course makes him the first in line to get one fresh out of the oven.

These are little more time consuming then your simple “self rising flour” cream biscuits that I normally favor.  However, the flaky buttery centers are well worth “waiting out the rise” .

Much love and all the hugs and kisses to Cindy…

[recipe]

Buttermilk Angel Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)

¼ cup granulated sugar

3 tbsp. warm water (105- 110 degrees)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

½ cup of shortening

½ cup butter

1 cup buttermilk

Directions:

Dissovle yeast, sugar and water in a small bowl and set aside.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

Cut in the shortening and butter by breaking into pieces and scattering over the flour mixture. Work in by rubbing fingers together in a snapping motion (or use a pastry cutter) until mixture looks like crumbled feta cheese.

Make a well in the center of the bowl. Now add the yeast mixture to the 1 cup of buttermilk. Then stir in the yeast/buttermilk mixture just enough that the dough leaves the side of the bowl and ingredients are incorporated.

Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface, add flour to your hands and proceed to knead the dough about 10 -15 times. Sprinkle with more flour if the dough becomes too sticky.

Pat the dough out to ½ inch thickness (using your hands), cut the biscuits out using floured biscuit cutters (mine are 2 inch cutters). Place each biscuit onto ungreased baking sheet about 1 inch apart cover with tea towel and allow to rise for about 30 minutes (or until doubled in size).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Brush the tops with melted butter and serve while hot. [/recipe]