These fluffy buttermilk drop biscuits remind me of the holidays. I was inspired to post this recipe for a friend who I think will find them even better than Bojangles' or Chick-fil-A...

TALL AND FLUFFY BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

From Cooks Illustrated, July 2004 ed.

INGREDIENTS

· 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour (I like to use White Lily flour for biscuits)

· 1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder

· 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

· 1 teaspoon table salt

· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

· 4 tablespoons cold, unslated butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

· 1 1/2 cups buttermilk cold, preferably low-fat

To Form and Finsh Biscuits:

· 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour, distributed in rimmed baking sheet

· 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 500 degrees. Spray 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Generously spray inside and outside of 1/4 cup dry measure with nonstick cooking spray.

2. For the dough: In food processor, pulse flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda to combine, about six 1-second pulses. Scatter butter cubes evenly over dry ingredients; pulse until mixture resembles pebbly, coarse cornmeal, eight to ten 1-second pulses. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Add buttermilk to dry ingredients and stir with rubber spatula until just incorporated (dough will be very wet and slightly lumpy).

3. To form and bake biscuits:Using 1/4 cup dry measure and working quickly, scoop level amount of dough; drop dough from measuring cup into flour on baking sheet (if dough sticks to cup, use small spoon to pull it free). Repeat with remaining dough, forming 12 evenly sized mounds. Dust tops of each piece of dough with flour from baking sheet. With floured hands, gently pick up piece of dough and coat with flour; gently shape dough into rough ball, shake off excess flour, and place in prepared cake pan. Repeat with remaining dough, arranging 9 rounds around perimeter of cake pan and 3 in center. Brush rounds with hot melted butter, taking care not to flatten them. Bake 5 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 450 degrees; continue to bake until biscuits are deep golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Cool in pan 2 minutes, then invert biscuits from pan onto clean kitchen towel; turn biscuits right-side up and break apart. Cool 5 minutes longer and serve.

SHAPING THE BISCUITS

1. Using greased 1/4-cup measure, scoop 12 level portions of dough onto floured baking sheet. Lightly dust top of each biscuit with flour.

2. With floured hands, gently pick up piece of dough, coating outside with flour, shaping it into ball, and shaking off excess flour.

3. Place 9 biscuits snugly around perimeter of pan, then arrange last 3 in center.