Buttermilk Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
5 Tbsp. chilled vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut shortening into the flour mixture with a pastry blender until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.

Add buttermilk, tossing with fork, until dough holds together.

Turn dough onto a floured surface and form into a disk. Knead lightly just a few times until smooth.

Pat dough to a 3/4 inch thickness. Using biscuit cutter or glass dipped in flour, cut out biscuits. Place biscuits about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Gather the trimmings and repeat forming and cutting.

Bake about 12-15 minutes til golden brown. Makes 12 biscuits.

Tips:
Do not handle dough anymore than necessary. Pat lightly!!
When cutting biscuits - do not twist your cutter because the bread will not rise as high.
You may brush tops of biscuits with melted butter or with milk for a pretty golden color before putting in oven.