Biscuits

Makes 8 biscuits

1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

2 Tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

3/4 cup half-and-half

1. Preheat the oven 450 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces, and cut it into the flour using two knives, a pastry blender, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add the half-and-half, and stir gently until the mixture forms a mass. Gather into a ball.

4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 30 seconds, and then pat it out to form a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle. Using a 2 3/4-inch cookie cutter, cut out 8 circles; use up all the dough.

5. Arrange the biscuits about 1 inch apart on baking sheet. Bake until puffed and golden, 14 minutes. Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack and allow them to cool.

--Sweet Biscuits: Before baking, brush the tops of the bisquits with melted butter and sprinkle with additional sugar.

From The New Basics Cookbook by Russo & Lukins