2 cups all-purpose flower*
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup buttermilk

Heat oven to 450°.  Measure flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda into bowl.  Cut in shortening thoroughly, until mixture looks like meal.

Stir in almost all the buttermilk.  If dough is not pliable, add just enough milk to make a soft, puffy, easy-to-roll dough.

Round up dough on lightly flored cloth-covered board.  Knead lightly 20 to 25 times, about 1/2 minute.  Roll a little less than 1/2 thick.  Cut with floured biscuit cutter.  Place on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes about 2 dozen 1 3/4-inch biscuits.

*If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.