Old Fashioned Biscuits

Biscuits and have been my nemesis for quite some time.  Then one day I saw a recipe on the back of a Clabber Girl Baking Powder.  I never buy this kind, but had to one day.  I had tried so many recipes, so I thought, "well, I will try this one too.  What do I have to lose?"  I did, and WOW!!  This is an amazing recipe that my family asks for several times a week.  This recipe makes about 8 - 10 biscuits but I usually double the recipe, which is easily done.  The secret to these biscuits is to knead them several times.  I was always told to be gentle with the dough, but this dough likes to be mah-handled just a bit.  When you do, they rise so high and have beautiful layers.  Before baking, you can place on pan and freeze.  Once frozen, you can place in a freezer bag.  Then whenever you want a biscuit, you can just pull out how many you want or need and bake them as the directions say.  You can also add blueberries or other berries to the batter, cook as directed and then top with a confectioner's sugar icing.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup lard (you can use shortening)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (you can use milk)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions:

In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powderr, and salt. Use hands to cut in the lard until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the milk all at once. Using a fork, stir just till moistened and dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl (dough will be sticky).

On a floured surface, lightly knead dough with floured hands for 30 seconds or till nearly smooth. Lightly pat dough to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts.

Place biscuits close together on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in a 475° oven for 11 to 15 minutes or till golden brown. As soon as you remove them from the oven, brush tops with melted butter. Serve warm.