Troubleshooting Biscuits

A reader has asked: Why did my baking powder biscuits turn out hard? I followed the recipe exactly.

A: Overhandling the dough can toughen delicate biscuits. Also make sure your baking powder isn’t too old—it can lose potency. Cans of baking powder have an expiration date on the bottom, so check your baking powder to see if it’s still fresh.