The machine comes with recipes; we tried simple combinations of cherries, pineapple and other fruit we had on hand. It sells for about $50 at amazon.com and bedbathandbeyond.com.

Allow to dissolve and swell, 5 to 10 minutes. Add yeast mixture and warm buttermilk to dry ingredients and toss with a fork to blend and moisten. Cover bowl and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.

1 cup buttermilk Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and put aside. Mix the dry ingredients in the order they are written above. The shortening will need to be cut in, just like you do with pie ...

A basket full of warm, buttery, flaky biscuits is within your reach. Simply eating them fresh out of the oven is a treat in and of itself. Or slather with butter and jam.

Most can be on the table in 30 minutes. Biscuits made with yeast take a bit longer, of course, but they’re still faster than yeast rolls because they rise just once.

Add the yeast and a generous pinch of sugar; stir and let stand until foamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in ½ cup of the flour. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight (or up to about 24 hours).

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine the yeast with 1/4 cup warm water — about the same temperature as the inside of your wrist — in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the ...