Baking Powder Biscuits

1/4 cup shortening 2 cups flour 1 tbsp. sugar, if you like (which I do) 3 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt roughly 3/4 cup milk

Sometimes I add grated cheddar cheese after I blend the dry ingredients or even while I'm kneading -depends when I think of it)

Cut shortening into flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. When mixture resembles small crumbs add milk, but not all at once. Only add enough so that the dough leaves the side of the bowl. Too much and the dough will not cook through, too little and the biscuits will be dry- if they don't fall apart first. You'll feel the right texture.

Knead on floured counter about 20 times and roll to about 1/2" thick. Cut out at about 2" wide (a bit more or less doesn't matter - at Christmas I use Christmas cookie cutters and when I'm lazy I just cut the flattened dough in rectangles with a knife).

Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 min. or until golden on to. (In my oven I have to watch the bottoms) If you like, you can brush with butter an sprinkle with Parmesan cheese just before pulling out.

You can also use up that buttermilk, just cut baking powder to 1/4 tsp salt to 1/4 tsp and add 1/4 tsp baking soda, then use buttermilk instead of milk.