Step 1

Whisk together starter and egg.

Step 2

Stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

Step 3

Use the large hole side of a grater to grate the butter. Make sure to scrape and use all the butter from the inside of the grater when you are done. Toss the butter into the flour, and rub gently to get the flour to stick to some of the butter. Toss in cheese if using.

Step 4

Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture, and pour in starter mixture. Stir with a spatula to combine, until only a few dry spots remain. The dough will be very shaggy.

Step 5

WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE HOW TO DO THIS STEP. Place dough on a counter and knead for 10 seconds to bring it together. You do not want to overwork the dough, but it should roughly stick together. Roll dough into a 1/4 inch piece of dough. Fold 1/3 of the dough up and over to the middle of the dough (using bench scraper if needed), then do fold the other 1/3 dough up and over, to create what is like an envelope fold. Fold up the short edges to make a square. (This folding is too make all the layers! It doesn't have to be perfect.) Roll square out to 3/4 inch of thick. It is better for them thicker than too thin.

Step 6

Dip biscuit cutter in flour and push straight down and pull straight back out. Do not twist, or you will seal the edges and not have flaky layers. With the remaining dough scraps push and gently knead back together and cut one or two more biscuits.

Step 7

Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place biscuits in freezer while oven preheats to 450 degrees F.

Step 8

When oven is ready, sprinkle a little cheese on top of biscuits if you are using. Bake on the middle rack, for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack. Enjoy the day you bake them.