2 c. plain flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 to 1/2 c. shortening
1/2 to 1 c. milk (buttermilk is best)

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together into a bowl (or use self-rising flour which has baking powder and salt in it). Cut shortening into flour with a fork until you have pea sized balls. Stir in enough milk to make a soft dough. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently. (Try to handle your biscuit dough without touching it! That's how gentle you need to be.)

Pinch off and roll up a biscuit in your hands, placing them on a greased baking sheet. Or you can roll the dough out and use a biscuit cutter to cut them. I like to use a small can with both ends cut out of it as my biscuit cutter.

Bake in a hot oven, 500°F, for 15 to 20 minutes. Check them often! For a change: Try adding a half pound of crumbled sausage and a cup of grated cheese to dough and spoon them out onto the baking sheet! That makes great sausage and cheese biscuits.