Heat oven to 450°.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in bowl. (If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.) Cut in shortening thoroughly until mixture looks like meal.

Pour in almost all the buttermilk. If dough is not pliable, add just enough milk to make a soft, puffy, easy to roll dough.

Round up dough on lightly floured board. Knead lightly 20-25 times, about 30 seconds. Roll a little less than 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured biscuit cutter.

Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.