In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and cut in the butter using a fork or pastry blender.
Stir in the buttermilk, and continue stirring only until the mixture forms a ball and begins to hold together.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll out to 1/2 or 3/4 inch thick, and cut into rounds.
Place on a lightly oiled or sprayed cookie sheet (or line a cookie sheet with parchment paper). Arrange biscuits close together for soft sides or 1 inch apart for more crusty sides.
Bake in a 450°F oven for 12 or 15 minutes until nicely golden brown.
