Ingredients

• 1/2 cup buttermilk powder
• 3 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• Pinch of sugar
• 6 tablespoons lard or bacon fat, cut into pieces and slightly softened
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces and slightly softened, plus more, melted, if desired
• 3 1/2–4 cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus more
• 1/2 cup flavorful honey (such as buckwheat)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

1. Arrange rack in middle of oven; preheat to 400°F. Whisk buttermilk powder, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl until evenly distributed and no lumps remain. Add 2 cups water and whisk to combine. Add lard and butter.
2. Add 2 cups flour and mix with a fork until mixture resembles porridge. Using fork, press fats against side of bowl to cut into smaller, irregular, flattened pieces.
3. Fold in remaining 1 1/2–2 cups flour by the half cup with fork until a wet dough forms. Turn out dough onto a well-floured surface. Dust top of dough with more flour. Gently fold dough into itself until it feels like a pillow and is no longer sticky. Using a floured bench scraper or butter knife, divide dough into 12 equal pieces.
4. Working with 1 piece at a time, dip cut sides in flour and gently roll into a ball with your hands. Nestle each ball side by side in a large cast-iron skillet or on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake biscuits until lightly browned, 25–30 minutes. Brush with melted butter, if desired. Serve with honey butter.
5. Combine honey, butter, and salt in a medium bowl. Mash with fork until just combined but not emulsified.