Flaky Shortcakes

Total Time: 12 mins Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening, cut into small pieces
• 7 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2/3 cup chilled buttermilk
• 1 large egg, beaten

Recipe

• 1 position rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450°f
• 2 sift flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt into large bowl. add shortening and butter. using pastry cutter, cut-in shortening and butter until pea-size pieces form. stir together buttermilk and egg, then add to flour mixture. stir just until incorporated (dough will be wet and crumbly). turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead briefly until it holds together.
• 3 pat and roll dough out into a 9x6-inch rectangle. using a 3-inch biscuit cutter cut out six biscuits. transfer biscuits to ungreased baking sheet (a cushioned or insulated baking sheet works best), spacing biscuits 2-inches apart. sprinkle tops with remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar. bake until shortcakes are puffed and golden, about 12 minutes. serve hot.