Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a sheet pan with a silpat (see note) or parchment. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking powder). Stir to combine.
Add butter and shortening. Using a pastry blender (see note) or fork, cut the butter and shortening into the dry ingredients until no large pieces remain.
Add buttermilk (see note), egg, and water. Stir until the dough comes together. I find that a bowl scraper (see note) helps to work the dough without warming the butter/shortening.
On a lightly floured surface, pat the dough out to about 1” thickness. Cut into 8 biscuits. I used a 2.75” round cutter (see note). Be sure not to twist the cutter as you cut the biscuits, and this could impede them from rising. You may collect and re-roll the dough scraps.
Place biscuits touching each other on the prepared pan. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until risen and golden.Enjoy!
Notes
Note on buttermilk: If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitution with milk (I find 2% milkfat or greater works best) and vinegar or lemon juice. For this recipe, put ¾ teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice into a liquid measuring cup, then add enough milk to come up to the ¾ cup line. Let sit for 5 minutes, then it's ready for use!Note on silpat: I bake my biscuits on silpats because they're reusable, nothing sticks to them, and the bottoms of the biscuits brown more slowly. If you'd like to get some silpats for yourself, you can find them [here].Note on pastry blender: While a pastry blender isn't necessary to cut in the butter and shortening, it does make the job faster and easier. If you're looking to buy one for yourself, you can find one [here].Note on bowl scraper: I like a bowl scraper to work the dough because it's flexible shape makes the job much easier, and keeps your hands warming the dough as it comes together. They're easy to store and easy on the wallet! If you'd like to buy one for yourself, you can find one [here].Note on biscuit cutter: I used a 2.75" biscuit cutter for my biscuits like from this set [here]).