CHEDDAR CHEESE BISCUITS WITH DILL AND CHIVES

Cheddar Cheese Biscuits with Dill and Chives image

Yield Makes about 18

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups all purpose flour
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup chilled vegetable shortening, cut into pieces
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives or green onions
3 tablespoons (packed) chopped fresh dill or 1 tablespoon dried dillweed
2 1/2 cups lightly packed grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)

Steps:

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 450°F. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, mustard and salt in large bowel to blend. Add butter and shortening; rub with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk milk, chives, and dill in medium bowl. Pour into dry ingredients; stir until moist dough forms. Mix in 2 cups cheese.
Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead lightly to distribute cheese evenly. Roll out dough to generous 1/2-inch thickness. Using floured 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter, cut into biscuits. Gather scraps; roll out to generous 1/2-inch thickness and cut out additional biscuits.
Transfer biscuits to heavy large ungreased baking sheet. Top with 1/2 cup cheese. Bake until biscuits are golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to platter. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. If desired, wrap biscuits in foil and rewarm in 350°F. oven for 5 minutes.)