Plump raisins by covering with hot water and resting 1 hour. Drain off water
and place raisins on paper towel.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Using mixer or food processor, thoroughly mix
together flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Add cold shortening and mix or
process until mixture resembles large coarse crumbs.
Add buttermilk and slowly stir (or pulse about 10 seconds) to form a soft
dough. If dough is firm or dry, add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons
buttermilk.
Add raisins and cinnamon. Stir just to evenly distribute raisins. Cinnamon
will marble the dough.
Sprinkle work surface with flour. Empty dough onto work surface and form a
ball. Using fingers and a light touch, gently flatten dough ball. Fold dough
in half, top to bottom, and gently flatten. Fold dough in half, left to
right, and gently flatten. Fold dough in half, right to left, and gently
flatten. Fold dough in half, top to bottom, and gently flatten. Round dough
and roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut dough with floured biscuit cutter and
place on greased baking sheet.
For glaze, combine ingredients and mix until smooth.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. When biscuits are removed from
the oven, spread or brush with glaze.
Yield: 12 2-inch biscuits OR 8 3-inch biscuits
*If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt. Reduce baking soda
to 1/4 tsp.
Provided by Shawnee Milling Company