One of the things I often get asked is how to make easy, fluffy buttermilk biscuits. This is a great recipe for plain biscuits that can easily be “jazzed up” with a variety of ingredients. See our Tips and Variations section.
4 - 5tablespoonscold butter and lard, or cold butter and vegetable shortening, mixed
1egg, beaten, optional
2/3cupbuttermilk, or a bit less, or milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450ºF.
Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together. Cut in the cold butter and lard or cold butter and vegetable shortening with a wire pastry cutter.
Add the egg and milk or buttermilk to the mixture, but just enough to create a dough that is light and soft but stiff enough to handle.
Put the dough on a floured board and mould it gently into a ball. Try to handle it as little as possible. Roll the dough out very gently to 1/2 in thickness and cut with a 1 1/2" or 2" cutter.
Place the cut biscuits on a greased and floured baking pan. If you have the time, it's best to chill the biscuits on the pan for 10 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 450ºF for 12 to 15 minutes.
Serve warm. These are great with butter or jam, or with gravy for dinner.
Makes 8 to 12 biscuits, depending on how large you make them.