Baking Powder Biscuits
makes about 12 biscuits
preheat oven to 450F
2 cups all purpose unbleached flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons of cold butter cut into 1 inch or so cubes
3/4 cup of milk
Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large bowl. Add the ice cold butter cubes to the flour mixture making sure they are not clumped together.
Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter or two knives until you have about large pea size pieces - it is important not to over do this.
Stir in the milk until the ingredients just come together. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead 1 or 2 times until the shaggy dough comes together. Pat into a rectangle about 1/2 inch or so high. Cut into rounds with a biscuit cutter or glass dipped into flour.
Place on a greased sheet placing close together. I use a cast iron pan for this. I find crowding the biscuits helps them rise even higher.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Note: If you are making biscuits for shortcake add 1/4 cup of sugar to the dry ingredients.
