Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (230°C). This high temperature will help the biscuits bake quickly and rise properly, creating that golden, flaky exterior. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the biscuits from sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar (if using). Stir the ingredients together until they are evenly mixed. The baking powder will act as the leavening agent, helping the biscuits rise in the oven.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add 1/2 cup of cold, unsalted butter (cut into small cubes) to the dry mixture. Now, you have a couple of options for cutting the butter into the flour:

• Pastry Cutter: This is the traditional tool for the job and works great for cutting the butter into the flour.

• Two Forks: If you don’t have a pastry cutter, use two forks to cut the butter into small bits.

• Your Fingers: If you’re feeling hands-on, you can use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour.

The goal is to break the butter down until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout. This step is essential for achieving a flaky texture, so be careful not to overwork the dough.

Step 4: Add the Buttermilk

Next, pour in 3/4 cup of cold buttermilk. Stir it into the flour-butter mixture until everything just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. The dough should still be a little lumpy, which is fine. The more you mix, the tougher the biscuits will be, so stop as soon as the dough begins to form.

Step 5: Turn the Dough onto a Surface

Lightly flour your countertop or a clean surface, and gently turn the dough out. With lightly floured hands, knead the dough 3-4 times, folding it over itself to bring it together. It’s important not to overwork the dough to keep the biscuits tender.

Step 6: Roll and Cut the Biscuits

Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a round biscuit cutter or a glass (around 2 1/2 inches in diameter) to cut out your biscuits. Press straight down without twisting the cutter, as twisting can prevent the biscuits from rising properly.

Step 7: Bake the Biscuits

Arrange the cut biscuits on your prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are close together. This helps them rise higher during baking. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits are golden brown.

Step 8: Brush with Melted Butter

For an extra touch of flavor and a shiny finish, brush the warm biscuits with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. This will give them a beautiful golden glow and a rich taste.

Step 9: Serve

Now it’s time to enjoy your freshly baked buttermilk biscuits! Serve them warm with butter, jam, honey, or gravy for a truly indulgent treat.