Baking Powder Biscuits

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease two 8-inch cake pans.
2. 2
   Put the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a bowl.
3. 3
   Cut in the shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal.
4. 4
   Add the milk all at once and stir just until the dough forms a ball around the fork.
5. 5
   Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead 14 times.
6. 6
   Pat until 1/2-inch thick.
7. 7
   Cut into rounds with a 2-inch cookie cutter.
8. 8
   Place, touching each other, in the cake pans and bake for 15-20 minutes.
9. 9
   CRUSTY BISCUITS.
10. 10
    Roll biscuits to 1/4-inch thick and place 1-inch apart in pan.
11. 11
    Bake in a 450 degree oven for 12 minutes.
12. 12
    Yields almost double the biscuits.
13. 13
    BUTTERMILK BISCUITS.
14. 14
    Use 2/3 cup buttermilk instead of sweet milk, 1/2 teaspoons baking soda and only 2 teaspoons baking powder.
15. 15
    CHEESE BISCUITS.
16. 16
    Add 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese to dry ingredients.
17. 17
    DROP BISCUITS.
18. 18
    Add additional 1/3 cup milk and use a baking sheet.