Plain Good Butter Biscuits

Directions

• Sift the flour then measure. Add b. powder and salt and sift again.
• Cut in the butter. Hyde recommends using your fingers for this by rubbing the butter into the flour. I usually don't because the heat of my hands and fingers tend to melt the butter and that's not good. If you have "hot hands" too, use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour.
• Add the milk gradually, stirring gently. Add only enough milk to bring the flour together in a soft ball. Turn the mix onto a floured surface and knead it reluctantly, just enough to incorporate all the milk. Gently pat the dough into a 1/2" tall layer. Handle the dough as little possible so the biscuits will be tender.
• Cut the dough into rounds or squares and place in a buttered pan. It helps biscuits to rise more if you allow the sides to touch. I don't know why this works but it usually does for me.
• Bake for 12 - 15 minutes at 400 deg.
• You can make these into great appetizers by adding shredded cheddar and fresh parsley to the flour before adding milk. Then cut the biscuits with a small cutter (or glass) about 2" in diameter.