Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 2

Cut 6 tablespoons of the butter into small dice, place in the fridge.

Step 3

Soften 4 tablespoons of the butter and melt the remaining 4 tablespoons.

Step 4

In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, kosher salt, baking powder, and cream of tartar, whisk together until combined.

Step 5

Add the shortening and cold butter, cut in with a biscuit cutter until everything is combined and there are pea-sized pieces of butter and shortening throughout.

Step 6

Add the egg and buttermilk to the bowl, stir in until just combined. Heavily flour a clean work surface and turn out the dough onto the flour. Dust the top of the dough with more flour.

Step 7

Knead the dough just until it comes together to form a ball, about 10-15 kneads. The dough will be sticky but not wet.

Step 8

Using your hands or a rolling pin, pat the dough out into a circular shape 3⁄4 to 1 inch thick.

Step 9

Using a biscuit cutter, cut the biscuits out.

Step 10

You will have to form the dough again and cut for the remaining biscuits. You will get 9-12 biscuits depending on thick you roll it out.

Step 11

Using the softened butter, grease a 9-inch baking pan all over. Place the biscuits, touching into the pan.

Step 12

Bake for 12-18 minutes until your desired browning. As soon as the biscuits come out, brush the tops with the remaining melted butter.