Drop biscuits are a no-oil added and tastier alternative to baking powder biscuits. They are quicker to make, need no stamping out with cutters. Finish these with roasted fruit, fruit sauces or your favorite non-dairy cream.
Chef's notes
Strawberry Shortcakes:
Cut cooled biscuits in half with a serrated knife. Add a spoonful of pastry cream of your choice, and a 1/4 or so of either fresh (tossed with a bit of sugar) or Roasted Strawberries.
To store the biscuits:
Freeze in airtight container. Defrost covered. Warm in low oven.
Steps
1
Preparing & Baking the Biscuits
Ingredients
1 1/3 cups canned coconut milk, (do not use light) stirred until thoroughly mixed
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 tsp finely grated orange zest, or use scant 1/8 teaspoon orange oil
1/4 tsp almond extract, optional
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tbsp aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1 1/4 cups almond flour (or hazelnut)
sugar for sprinkling: cane or coconut sugar, do not grind
To start, position a rack in center of oven and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Line a heavy baking sheet with a double layer of parchment paper.
Pour the coconut milk into a measuring cup and add the vanilla, almond extract if using and zest. Stir. Set aside while you make sift the dry ingredients.
Next, whisk, measure and sift together the dry ingredients and then add the nut flour.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the coconut milk mixture. Mix the batter by bringing the dry ingredients into the liquid, rotating the bowl as you go. Do not press or over mix the dough. It will come together quickly into a crackly soft dough.
Scoop 1/4 cup of batter per biscuit onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches in between. A 1/4 cup ice cream scoop, works well for this. Generously sprinkle the top of the biscuits with sugar.
Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until set and lightly browned on top. Flip one over; the bottom should be brown.
Cool on wire rack for a couple of minutes before serving. Serve warm with vegan butter, jam, cream, and/or fresh or cooked fruit.
