Baking Powder Biscuits

Ingredients :

Flour 2 cups
Baking powder 1 Tbsp
Salt 1 tsp
Butter cold, cut into small cubes 4 oz, or 1/2 cup
Milk 2/3 cup

Method :

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Sift dry ingredients together into a large bowl.
2. Add the butter and work into the flour quickly with your hands to form a coarse mealy texture.
3. Stir in enough milk just until all the ingredients come together in a shaggy mass. You may have to add more or less milk than called for.
4. Remove the dough to a floured countertop and knead briefly just to smooth out the dough. Do not overknead or your biscuits will be hard.
5. Roll out to a thickness of about 3/4". Cut into rounds with a floured glass or a biscuit cutter. Place on a cookie sheet and brush with milk or melted butter.
6. Bake in preheated oven until browned on top, about 12-15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Variations :

* Add 1-2 tsp of dried herbs, or 1 Tbsp minced fresh herbs to the dough if you like. Or stir 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese into the flour-butter mixture for cheesy biscuits. Use your imagination
* Stir 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese into the flour-butter mixture for cheesy biscuits.
* Substitute chilled lard for 1/2 the butter and stir in some crumbled bacon for Southern-style biscuits.
* To make drop biscuits, add a little more milk to make a moister dough and skip the kneading step. Use an ice cream scoop to spoon out portions of the dough onto a baking sheet and bake as directed.