Cheese and Garlic Buttermilk Biscuits

Remember the Red Lobster knock-off biscuits I posted a while back?  Well these are similar but a million times better because they are homemade - no Bisquick in these babies.  It makes a world of difference, especially when you use butter instead of shortening.  I'll admit that shortening makes the fluffiest biscuits but the buttery taste makes up for that, in my opinion.  These biscuits have the chewy, moistness of cheese and buttermilk with the added bonus of delicious garlic butter brushed on top. I love them - as does my family.  They are perfect for when you want to whip up a quick bread at the last minute to serve with dinner.  I made these to go with Chicken and Quinoa Stew the other night... perfect.   As usual, I caught my hubby eyeing the plate, evaluating which biscuit had the most garlic butter brushed on top!  I won't lie to you, these biscuits aren't particularly healthy (uh, ya right) but they are so worth the splurge!

Cheese and Garlic Buttermilk Biscuits

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), cold
2 cups flour
1 Tb sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
about 3/4 cup buttermilk

2 Tb butter, melted
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp parsley flakes

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda.  Cut butter into flour mixture using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in cheese then stir in enough buttermilk so dough leaves the sides of the bowl.  Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead very lightly until dough forms a soft ball, about 10 times. Do not overwork the dough!  The less you handle the dough, the more fluffy your biscuits.  Roll or pat 1/2 inch thick.  Cut with floured 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter.  Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Mix together melted butter, garlic salt and parsley flakes.  Brush the tops of the warm biscuits with the garlic butter and serve hot.