Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Mix flour with baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk; stir with fork until soft dough is formed.

 

Place dough on lightly floured board; knead 20 times. Pat or roll lightly until dough is 1/2-inch thick. Cut with floured 2 or 3 inch cookie cutter. Brush with melted butter. Bake on ungreased baking sheet about 12 minutes. Brush with melted butter again.  Makes 18 two-inch or 7 three-inch biscuits.

 

Yields: 18 servings.

 

Note: Recipe may be doubled.