Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place rack into center of oven. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2

Cut the shortening into the flour with a pastry cutter or fork until it looks like small peas. Make a well in the center of mixture, add the buttermilk, and stir gently with a folk or spatula around 10 to 12 times until combined.

Step 3

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough into a rectangle that is 3/4-inches thick. Fold the dough in half. Roll out and fold again, repeating the process three more times.

Step 4

Roll the dough out to ½-inch thickness. Cut with a 2 ½-inch biscuit cutter. Place the biscuits on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown, around 12 to 15 minutes. If desired, brush the baked biscuits with melted butter.