SAM'S CLOUD BISCUITS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 tablespoon sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening
2/3 cup whole milk
1 large egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add shortening and cut it in with a pastry cutter or rub with your fingertips till mixture is very mealy.

In a glass measuring cup, whisk together milk and egg, add to dry mixture and stir with a fork just till dough follows the fork around the bowl.

Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead gently 4 to 5 times. Roll out dough about 1/4-inch thick and cut out rounds with a 2-inch biscuit cutter. Roll scraps together and cut out more rounds. Arrange rounds fairly close together on two baking sheets.

Bake in center of oven until just golden, 10-12 minutes.

Makes about 2 dozen
Source: Biscuit Bliss by James Villas