2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
2/3 to 3/4 cup milk

Sift dry ingredients into bowl. Cut in shortening until it's like coarse crumbs. Make a well and add milk all at once. Stir quickly with fork until dough follows fork around bowl. Turn onto lightly floured surface. (Dough should be soft.) Knead gently 8 to 10 times. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with biscuit cutter.

Makes 16 biscuits.

Variation: Buttermilk Biscuits

Sift 1/4 teaspoon soda with flour mixture. Increase shortening to 1/3 cup and use buttermilk for milk.