Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and sugar into a large bowl.

Step 3

Drop in 3 heaping forkfuls of shortening and blend into the flour mixture with the fork (or pastry blender) until it becomes coarse crumbs.

Step 4

Add buttermilk all at once and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened, or you have a shaggy dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead 4 to 5 times, patting into a disc. (DO NOT over knead.)

Step 5

Roll to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut with a biscuit cutter dipped in flour and place onto a baking sheet. Brush gently with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse ground black pepper.

Step 6

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and brush again with melted butter.