Step 1 Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet and set aside.
Step 2 In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and ground ginger. Cut the butter and shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Stir in the crystallized ginger.
Step 3In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together the baking soda, water and molasses. Make a well in the flour mixture and pour first the buttermilk and then the molasses mixture in the center. With a fork, gently mix until a soft dough is formed.
Step 4Flour your hands and turn dough out onto a floured board and knead 10 times. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to one-half-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round cutter, stamp out the biscuits and place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Gather the scraps, pat out the dough and continue cutting until you have 18 biscuits.
Step 5Bake the biscuits for 12 to 15 minutes, until light golden brown on top.