Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits

Little cheese biscuits are stable at my Mom's house for big family meals.  For years and years she got them from this grocery store then one day the bakery lady that made them left!  It was tragic and there was much mourning.  That was, until this past fall when my mom found out the lady was now catering and my mom could order the cheese biscuits directly from her!   That saved thanksgiving...thanksgiving without cheese biscuits would not be the same.   Well a few months ago I decided to try some recipes, the first one I tried was a winner.  I have made this recipe more times than I care to admit! These biscuits are absolutely wonderful!  This recipe is slightly from Mom-Makes.


2 to 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus some extra for rolling out the biscuits)
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 tbsp unsalted butter (for greasing and brushing the biscuits)

Heat oven to 425.  In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground pepper.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender (or a fork if you don't have a pastry blender)  until it has become a coarse mixture with tiny lumps in it.  Stir in the buttermilk and cheese.   If the dough is still too sticky add 1/4 cup of flour.   Flour the a flat surface and place the dough on it.  Flour the top of the dough and press the dough out until it's about 3/4 inch thick.  Using a 1 inch biscuit cutter,  cut out the biscuits.  Gather the scraps, pat them back together and continuing cutting until all of the dough has been used. Grease a 9x13 pan with butter.  Place the biscuits down in the dish.  Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter.  Bake in the oven for 14 to 18 minutes or until biscuits are browned on top.  Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.