Buttermilk Biscuits

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2
   Stir together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a medium bowl.
3. 3
   Use a pastry blender, two butter knives or your fingers to cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. 4
   Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the buttermilk to make a soft dough.
5. 5
   Use a little more buttermilk, if necessary, to keep the dough very soft.
6. 6
   Lightly flour your table or countertop and dust your hands with flour.
7. 7
   Turn the dough out onto the floured surface and gently pat it into a cake 1 1/2 inches high.
8. 8
   Use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut the dough into rounds.
9. 9
   Use a pastry scraper or a metal spatula to place the cutout biscuits, with sides closely touching, on the parchment-lined sheet.
10. 10
    Gently pat the scraps together, sprinkling on a little buttermilk to keep dough soft, and cut out more biscuits.
11. 11
    Bake until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.