Ham and Cheddar Buttermilk Sandwiches

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Step 2: In a large bowl whisk first 4 ingredients (flour - sugar) to blend. Add shortening. Using your fingertips, rub in shortening until a very coarse meal forms. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, tossing with a fork until dough holds together.

Step 3: Turn dough out onto a floured board, pat out to 1/4 inch thick rectangle (it will be about 15 x 10 inches).

Step 4: Arrange frozen butter slices in single layer over top two-thirds of the dough. Fold bottom third of dough over the center; fold top third of dough over the center. Pat dough out to 3/4 inch thick rectangle.

Step 5: Using a 2 1/2 inch round cutter and pressing straight down - cut out biscuits.

Step 6: Transfer biscuits to an ungreased baking sheet.

Step 7: Gather dough and press again to 3/4 inch thickness and cut out more biscuits (you need 12 biscuits in all). Transfer all the biscuits to the baking sheet and brush with buttermilk.

Step 8: Bake biscuits for 20-25 minutes or until biscuits are golden and done. Cool biscuits for 15 minutes before continuing.

Step 9: Preheat broiler.

Step 10: Using a serrated knife, cut each biscuit in half horizontally; spread room temperature butter over cut sides of biscuits. Broil until butter melts and biscuits brown on the edges (1-2 minutes). Transfer to work surface; keep broiler on.

Step 11: Spread bottom halves of the biscuits with the jam; top with a folded slice of the ham, then 1 tablespoon of the cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and ham is heated through (1 minute or so). Cover with biscuit tops.