Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Sift dry ingredients together.

Mix in shortening with pastry blender, fork, or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Form a well in center of flour and pour buttermilk in.

Mix flour into this, stirring and working until flour leaves sides of bowl and forms a ball. When it comes away from sides without sticking too bad, it's ready. Otherwise, work in a little more flour.

Place dough on floured surface and knead 5-6 times. Do not knead too much or dough will become tough.

Roll or pat out to about 1/2" thickness and cut with biscuit cutter or floured glass.

Place biscuits on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 450 degrees F. for 8-12 minutes or until light golden.

Brush tops with melted butter, if desired.

Serve warm with sausage gravy or butter and preserves, if desired.