Buttermilk Biscuits

7 1/2 cups flour
3 tbsp. baking powder
1 tbsp . sugar
1 3/4 tsp. fine salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 lb. unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup half and half
1. Heat oven to 375'. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add butter to the flour mixture and use your fingers to break apart butter pieces, while working them into the flour mixture, until pea-size pieces form.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and half and half. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the flour mixture and, using a rubber spatula, mix together the ingredients until just combined. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Pat the dough into a single mass and gently press it into a 1"- thick disk. Gently roll the dough once with a rolling pin to create a smooth surface. Using a 2 3/4" round cookie cutter, cut out biscuits and transfer them to a parchment paper-lined baking pan. Arrange the biscuits in the center of the pan so thet their edges touch; this will help to keep them moist. Reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits until all the dough is used. Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a rack; let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
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