If buttermilk isn't available, powdered buttermilk added according to package instructions or clabbered milk can be used instead. To make clabbered milk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and let stand 10 minutes. A 1/4-cup (#16) portion scoop can be used to portion the batter. To refresh day-old biscuits, heat them in a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes.

Directions
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt in large bowl. Combine buttermilk and 8 tablespoons melted butter in medium bowl, stirring until butter forms small.

2. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients and stir with rubber spatula until just incorporated and batter pulls away from sides of bowl. Using greased 1/4-cup dry measure, scoop level amount of batter and drop onto parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet (biscuits should measure about 21/4 inches in diameter and 11/4 inches high). Repeat with remaining batter, spacing biscuits about 11/2 inches apart. Bake until tops are golden brown and crisp, 12 to 14 minutes.

3. Brush biscuit tops with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Transfer to wire rack and let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Black Pepper and Bacon Drop Biscuits
Cut 6 strips bacon in half lengthwise and then crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces; fry in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel–lined plate and cool to room temperature. Follow recipe for Best Drop Biscuits, adding crisp bacon and 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper to flour mixture in step 1.

Cheddar and Scallion Drop Biscuits
Follow recipe for Best Drop Biscuits, adding 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions to flour mixture in step 1.

Rosemary and Parmesan Drop Biscuits
Follow recipe for Best Drop Biscuits, adding 3/4 cup (11/2 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary leaves to flour mixture in step 1.