Southern Yeast Biscuit Dough - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 c. warm water
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 pkg. (1/4 oz. each) active dry yeast
5 c. self-rising flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. shortening
2 c. buttermilk

Preparation

Combine the water and sugar in a small bowl.
Stir in the yeast. Set aside until the mixture becomes bubbly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and baking soda.
Stir to mix. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender, a fork or your fingertips until the mixture resembles cornmeal.
Add the yeast mixture and buttermilk. Stir with a large wooden spoon until well mixed.
This will not be a smooth dough.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough until needed; it will keep about 1 week. Makes about 8 cups of dough.