Basic Biscuits - from Paula Deen

No waiting for rise with this recipe! This is the biscuit recipe she used for the Country Fried Steak & Gravy, which I posted separately. She, also, preferred to use lard instead of Crisco! Great tip in step 4 provided by unknown reviewer. (NOTE Granny T suggests you increase salt to 1 tsp)

• Ready In: 27 mins
• Yields: 3 doz

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4ounce) package  yeast
• 1⁄2 cup  lukewarm water
• 5  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt (see NOTE above)
• 1  tablespoon baking powder
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 3⁄4 cup solid shortening (recommend frozen Crisco)
• 2  cups buttermilk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
2. Dissolve yeast in warm water; set aside.
3. Mix dry ingredients together.
4. Cut in shortening. (NOTE: P.S. if you freeze the shortening first, then grate the frozen shortening into the dry mixture it blends perfectly throughout and simplifies the process. This tip supplied by a reviewer).
5. Add yeast and buttermilk and mix well.
6. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and roll out to desired thickness.
7. Cut with small biscuit cutter and place on greased baking sheet.
8. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.