Baking Powder Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup shortening or cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
• ¾ cup milk

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 450°F. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Work the cold butter or shortening into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
2. 2Pour in the milk and stir gently just until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will feel soft and slightly sticky at this stage.
3. 3Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and gently knead it about ten times. Pat or roll the dough into an even layer half an inch thick, then punch out rounds using a floured biscuit cutter.
4. 4Arrange the cut dough rounds on an ungreased baking sheet. Space them an inch apart if you prefer crusty edges, or place them close together so they touch for softer sides.
5. 5Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops turn a rich golden brown. Transfer the hot biscuits to a wire rack right away and serve them warm.
6. 6To make a buttermilk version, reduce the baking powder to two teaspoons and whisk one quarter teaspoon of baking soda into the dry ingredients. Swap the regular milk for buttermilk, adding a splash more than three quarters of a cup if it is very thick.
7. 7For a drop biscuit variation, grease your baking sheet and increase the milk to one full cup. Scoop the wetter dough by the spoonful onto the pan, leaving two inches of space between each mound.
8. 8Gather all your ingredients and tools before starting to ensure the biscuit-making process goes smoothly.
9. 9Ensure the shortening is thoroughly worked into the flour mixture until it forms fine, even crumbs before adding any liquid.

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