Recipes From The Kitchen At Bag End

I ran across this story recently, a nice little tale between Frodo and Pippin, which included a recipe at the end. Haven't tried it, but the author recommended it, and it looks interesting. The author said:
The "Biscuits of the Valar" from the story were inspired by a particularly yummy batch of "Angel Biscuits" I had recently. They are soooo yummy! You have to try them! As I stated in the story, they are somewhere between a biscuit (not as in the British 'biscuit' - which I would call a 'cookie' - but as in that lovley bread southerners love to cover with gravy and slather with butter and honey and jelly and jam and ... what? oh! sorry!) - anyway, they are somewhere between a biscuit and a yeast roll in texture and very lightly sweet. You'll love 'em. I do warn, though...they are ADDICTIVE!

"Angel Biscuits" or "Frodo's Biscuits of the Valar" :-)

INGREDIENTS:

2 packages active dry yeast (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
1/4 cup warm water, about 110° F.
2 cups warmed buttermilk, about 110° F.
5 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup shortening
melted butter
PREPARATION:

Dissolve the yeast in the 1/4 cup of warm water. Stir in buttermilk; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in yeast and buttermilk mixture, blending well. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead just a few turns. Roll to about 1/2-inch thick and cut out with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter. Place cut out biscuits on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover with a dish cloth and let rise in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours. Bake at 450° for 8 to 10 minutes. Brush tops with the melted butter while still hot. Makes about 2 to 3 dozen angel biscuits, depending on size.