Buttermilk Biscuits

Yield: 12 biscuits
Time: 45 – 60 minutes

2 c flour (sifted)
4 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
2 tbsp butter (cold)
2 tbsp shortening or lard
1 c buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

Add baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the flour and stir to distribute evenly. Cut the butter and shortening into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or a fork. There should be some larger chunks of butter/shortening and flour should have a crumbly looking texture. Stir in the buttermilk until the mixture just comes together. Dough will be sticky. Do not overmix or biscuits will become tough.

Dump the dough onto a floured surface and dust with more flour. Press the dough out and fold it over onto itself about 5 times. Press it into a rectangle that is just slightly wider than it is high and about ½ inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, make 3 equal-spaced cuts widthwise, then 2 equal-spaced cuts heightwise (making a 4×3 grid). Separate the biscuits and put them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Place the biscuts in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.