To cut out biscuits, press the cutter straight down. If you twist it, the biscuits may rise unevenly.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 cup vegetable shortening
3⁄4 cup milk
How to make
Baking Powder Biscuits
Preheat oven to 450°F. In large bowl, with wire whisk, stir flour, baking powder, and salt. With pastry blender or two knives used scissor-fashion, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk, stirring just until mixture forms soft dough that leaves side of bowl.
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead 6 to 8 times, just until smooth. With floured rolling pin, roll dough 1⁄2 inch thick for high, fluffy biscuits or 1⁄4 inch thick for thin, crusty biscuits.
With floured 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out rounds, without twisting cutter. Arrange biscuits on ungreased cookie sheet, 1 inch apart for crusty biscuits or nearly touching for soft-sided biscuits.
Press trimmings together; reroll and cut out more biscuits. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.