Benne Seed Angel Biscuits Recipes

ANGEL BISCUITS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer stir together yeast, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Cut in the butter or shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Stir in the water and buttermilk until smooth. Turn onto a floured surface and knead a few times. At this point you can roll out and cut the biscuits, or refrigerate the dough in a covered container for 1-3 days.
• Roll out the dough to about ½ inch thick. I usually just use my hands to press the dough out into a square (1/2 inch thick) then I cut the square into 16 pieces. I combine the corner pieces together, to make about 14 even sized biscuits. I find this faster and easier than cutting out with a round biscuits cutter, but either method works great!
• Place cut out biscuits in buttered cast iron pan, or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Uncover biscuits and bake for about 13-18 minutes, until golden brown.

BENNE SEED BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the benne seeds in a shallow pan and roast for 5 minutes. They should be the color of butterscotch and have a delicious toasted smell. If they're not ready, shake the pan to toss and return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes, but be careful not to burn them.
• Sift the flour, baking powder and teaspoon of salt into a large bowl. Add the lard and work the mixture with a pastry blender or your fingertips until it has the texture of cornmeal. Add the milk and mix well. Mix in the benne seeds. Place the dough on a floured surface, knead for a few seconds and shape into a ball.
• Roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, stamp out rounds and lay them on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little bit of salt and serve hot. The biscuits may be stored in an airtight tin or jar; reheat before serving.

ANGEL BISCUITS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in warm buttermilk; set aside. , In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in yeast mixture. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly 3-4 times. Roll out to 1/2-in. thickness; cut with a 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover with kitchen towels and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 1 hour., Bake at 450° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Lightly brush tops with melted butter. Serve warm.

ANGEL BISCUITS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°. Dissolve yeast in warm water; set aside.
• Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in yeast mixture and just enough buttermilk so dough leaves side of bowl and forms a ball.
• Place dough on generously floured surface; gently roll in flour to coat. Knead lightly 25 to 30 times, sprinkling with flour if dough is too sticky. Roll or pat 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Brush with butter. Serve hot.

BENNE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 large cookie sheets with butter.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add the benne seeds, stirring them until coated. Toast the seeds, stirring frequently, until fragrant and darkened a shade, 2 to 3 minutes. Take care not to burn the seeds and turn down the heat if needed. Scrape onto a plate and let cool completely.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.
• In a large bowl, cream together the remaining 8 tablespoons/115 grams butter and both sugars until well combined and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well. Add the cooled toasted benne seeds and the vanilla, then stir in the flour mixture.
• Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of the cookie dough at least 2 1/2 inches apart on 1 prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. Remove the wafers from the cookie sheet immediately and place on waxed or parchment paper to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough on the second cookie sheet, reusing the first sheet when it's cool, if needed.