Sift flour with baking powder, cut in shortening. Make a well in center - pour in 1/2 cup milk - add more milk if seems too dry. Roll out and cut. Place on ungreased sheet.

Variations: Substitute buttermilk or sour milk, decrease baking powder to 2 teaspoons and add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. For drop biscuits, increase milk to 1 cup and drop by spoonfuls unto greased cookie sheets.