Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Cut in vegetable shortening using a pastry blender or a fork until mixture is crumbly.
Stir in raisins and buttermilk, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Note: if mixture seems too dry (it's not sticking together in a ball) add a little bit more buttermilk until the dough starts to hold together and not be so crumbly.
Roll dough to about ¾ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut with a 3-inch biscuit cutter or a mini biscuit cutter. Make sure not to twist the biscuits as you cut them. Just push down and then lift the biscuit up. This is the key to get those biscuits to rise high.
Place biscuits a few inches apart on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Bake for about 10-15 minutes for 3-inch biscuits and for about 6-8 minutes for mini biscuits. NOTE: these biscuits will look darker because there is cinnamon in them. Don't worry, they are not burnt.
To make the glaze:, combine powdered sugar, milk, vegetable oil and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir until completely mixed.
Drizzle over hot biscuits or dip the tops of all the biscuits in the glaze. I like to go around and dig them a second time for a nice thick glaze on top!
Then enjoy!
Video
Notes
Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
For softer edged biscuits, bake them in round baking pans with the sides touching.
The oil in the glaze just gives in a nice sheen. It is optional.