2 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
5 tbsp. shortening
1/2 to 2/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450°F.

In a bowl combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the shortening until mixture is as fine as corn meal. Add milk, mixing only until a soft dough is formed. (Overworking biscuit dough will make tough biscuits!)

Place on a lightly floured work surface and knead lightly for 25 seconds. Roll or pat dough out to a half-inch thickness. Cut rounds with a floured biscuit cutter. Place on a greased baking sheet. For soft-sided biscuits, place the rounds shoulder to shoulder, touching. For crisper biscuits, leave 2 inches between each biscuit.

Bake at 450 for 12 minutes. Cook biscuits only until lightly golden.

Yields 12 biscuits.

Submitted by: Belle