Buttermilk Biscuits

4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together. Cut butter into dry ingredients until consistency of coarse cornmeal. Make a well in the center and quickly stir in buttermilk. Roll out about 1 inch thick on a floured surface and cut with a floured biscuit cutter. Bake on a greased baking sheet until light brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 12 two-inch biscuits.