Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

4½ cupsall-purpose flour (Lily brand)
2 tspcream of tartar
2 tspbaking soda
1½ tspsalt
½ cupbutter (cold, diced)
9 tbspbutter (softened)
3 tbspbutter (melted)
2 cupsbuttermilk

For making gluten free:

omitall-purpose flour
4½ cupsgluten-free flour
1 tbsppsyllium husk
1Preheat the oven to 450°F (500°F for convection).10 min
2Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.2 min
3Cut the cold butter in the dry ingredients with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Refrigerate for 20 min if the butter gets soft during this process.2 min
(20 min)
4Add 1½ cups of buttermilk, stirring enough to moisten the ingredients (adding more 1 tbsp at a time, if needed).2 min
5Being careful not to overwork the dough, kneed the dough 10 times on a lightly floured surface or until the dough just holds together.3 min
6Roll or pat out into a 14×10" rectangle.1 min
7With the short side nearest you, spread 3 tbsp of the softened butter over the ⅔ of the surface furthest from you.1 min
8Fold the dough in thirds (like a letter) by pulling the bottom over the center and then the top third over that. Expect the dough to crack during this process.1 min
9Pat back into a 9×12" rectangle and repeat the same process twice more with another 3 tbsp of the softened butter each time.2 min
10Pat the dough out into a 1" thick rectangle.1 min
11Cut the dough into 2-3" squares using a scraper and place on a lightly oiled cooking sheet about 1" apart. Brush the tops with the melted butter.1 min
12Place in the oven and bake until the tops are golden brown and firm.10-12 min