Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl and whisk together.

Step 3

Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the dough has pea-sized clumps in it and is crumbly.

Step 4

Add in the buttermilk and gently mix until the dough has just come together. Do not over-mix!

Step 5

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together in a round disk.

Step 6

With your hands, gently pat out the dough until it is about 1/2-3/4" inches tall. With a round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut straight down into the dough and lift up. Repeat.

Step 7

With the remaining dough, gently bring it together and pat it out into a disk again. Cut out more biscuits and place them in the skillet. Repeat this process until all the dough has been used. Be careful not to overwork the dough during this process.

Step 8

Place the cut biscuits into a greased cast iron skillet (the biscuits can be close together and touch).

Step 9

Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle on the demerara sugar on top.

Step 10

Place the cast iron skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and enjoy immediately hot and fresh or let come to room temperature to make strawberry shortcakes.