I was recently asked in an interview “what keeps you up at night?” My answer was “how can I do it better?” Whatever “it” is, I am always wondering if there couldn’t be a better way, and easier way, a prettier way, a more foolproof way.
Such is the case of biscuits. For months now it has been bothering me that while a high percentage of people who tried my gluten free biscuit recipe got good results there were a few that said theirs didn’t rise, crumbled, or as in one person’s case, were like hockey pucks!
Some people might chalk it up to the baking ability of the maker and leave it at that but me, I obsess. I want a foolproof recipe that works no matter what! Ok, you do need to use the right ingredients and follow directions but other that than, foolproof.
For anyone who tried my original biscuit recipe and said it didn’t rise, give this one a try! It made big giant biscuits that rose beautifully and tasted wonderful.
Here are some tips to help you make foolproof, mile high biscuits:
A final product will only be as good as the ingredients you start with; I used Asian flours and tapioca starch in developing this recipe – Asian flours are milled very finely and do not make baked goods grainy or crumbly and are a whole lot cheaper than superfine flours.
Make sure your baking powder is fresh, it has a shelf life anywhere from 6 – 12 months but things such as humidity and moisture can affect it. To test if your baking powder is still “active” place ½ a teaspoon in a bowl and pour ¼ cup of boiling water on it, if it bubbles up violently and immediately, your baking powder is good. If not, toss it and get some fresh.
All biscuits need some sort of fat cut into the flour, a combination of shortening and butter works best. Your butter should be cold. I cut mine into small pieces and then stick the piece into the freezer for a few minutes, this really chills it.
I used a food processor to combine my ingredients and cut in the shortening and butter. If you don’t have one, you can do this by hand just work quickly and don’t overwork the dough.
Use a ruler to measure how tall your round of dough is, you would be surprised what we think is one inch and what really is one inch. Cut your biscuits with a well-floured cookie cutter or drinking glass. You want to press straight down with the cutter, not twist it. Twisting the cutter when cutting out the biscuits seals the dough and prevents the biscuits from rising.
Bake your biscuits in either a cast iron skillet (the best!) or if you don’t have one, a cake pan, I find the extra support from the pan helps the biscuits reach the moon.
Steam helps things rise which is why you start baking these biscuits at 500 degrees. You then reduce the temperature a bit to cook the biscuits through.
A little melted butter makes almost anything better so I brush a bit on my biscuits as soon as they came out of the oven.
I did not test this recipe dairy free but I think it can easily be done by making the following substitutions:
Substitute the powdered milk with powdered soy milk.
Use one stick of dairy free butter substitute for the butter. If the stick dairy free butter is salted, reduce the salt in the recipe.
Replace the buttermilk with a dairy free version, put a tablespoon of white vinegar in a liquid measuring cup, add enough of your favorite dairy free milk to make 1 cup, stir and let sit for 5 minutes.
This Gluten Free Mile High Biscuits recipe makes seven giant biscuits. I know seven is an odd number and I have been trying to figure out some way to justify making seven biscuits as opposed to six or eight. I couldn’t come up with anything so I guess you just have to deal with it. In any case, I like the number 7. And it is reported to be lucky. So seven it is.
I am hoping now to be able to rest easier at night, not having to worry about you folks out there that had trouble making gluten free biscuits. Please let me know or else I am just going to lose even more sleep!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 7 biscuits
Calories: 611kcal
Author: Gluten Free & More
Ingredients
- 1½ cups white rice flour
- 1 cup tapioca starch
- ½ cup sweet rice or glutinous rice flour plus more for kneading
- ½ cup powdered milk
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 stick
- ½ cup vegetable shortening
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup melted butter optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
Combine the white rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet rice (glutinous) flour, powdered milk, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a food processor. Pulse several times to combine. Add the butter and shortening and pulse several times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces. Add the egg and buttermilk, pulse to combine. Flour a work surface generously with sweet rice flour, dump the dough onto the flour and knead several times until the dough is no longer sticky.
Pat the dough into a circle a full 1 inch thick; the circle will not be very large in diameter. Cut out 3 inch biscuits using a well-floured cookie cutter or the top of a drinking glass. Place the biscuits into a cast iron skillet or non-stick 9 inch round cake pan. Reform the scraps and cut until the dough is used, you should have seven 3 inches by 1 inch biscuits.
Bake at 500 for 5 minutes then reduce the temperature to 450 and bake another 15 – 20 minutes or until a light golden brown on top. Brush with melted butter if desired and serve with jam.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Mile High Biscuits
Amount Per Serving
Calories 611Calories from Fat 351
% Daily Value*
Fat 39g60%
Saturated Fat 18g90%
Cholesterol 88mg29%
Sodium 988mg41%
Potassium 499mg14%
Carbohydrates 59g20%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 785IU16%
Vitamin C 0.8mg1%
Calcium 259mg26%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner’s. This blog accepts free manufacturers’ samples and forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Affiliate links may be included in this post.
Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
Have you tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and let us know your thoughts in the Ratings & Reviews section below.
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April 15, 2013
April 16, 2013
Reply
Carol – these biscuits look fabulous! They would be perfect with sausage and gravy – yum. I want these for breakfast – this recipe will definitely be on my to bake list!
Gluten Free & More
April 16, 2013
Reply
Thanks Ina – I am right there with you on the sausage gravy – favorite breakfast ever!
Liesbeth
October 12, 2020
Reply
I live in the Netherlands and I don’t know what vegetable shortening is. Can I use Crisco or something else?
Hope to hear from you soon, cannot wait to bake those biscuits! 😋Gluten Free & More
October 12, 2020
Reply
You can use room temperature butter
- See AlsoGluten-Free Biscuits Recipe (Made with Bisquick!) - MaebellsCinnamon Streusel Scones Recipe - Rachel Cooks®Oatmeal Raisin Scones (Low-FODMAP, gluten free, dairy free) IBS Health Coaching and FODMAP Diet Recipes | Calm Belly KitchenSesame Coconut Bars Recipe
Liesbeth
October 12, 2020
Reply
Is Crisco also an option, or should I use butter instead?
Gluten Free & More
October 13, 2020
Crisco shortening, yes. Crisco vegetable oil, I haven’t tried it but I think it would work, they just might not be as flaky.
kim o
April 16, 2013
Reply
Wow! These look amazing….my little boy is gluten sensitive, so I am always looking for a great, new gluten free recipe…..going to try these this week!
Gluten Free & More
April 16, 2013
Reply
Enjoy Kim!
Gluten Free & More
April 17, 2013
Reply
Thanks I am going to make sure I didn’t put something in wrong. Sorry!
Gluten Free & More
April 17, 2013
Reply
OK, I fixed it. So sorry about that but it works now! Thanks so much for alerting me.
Karen
April 17, 2013
Reply
I had the same printing that Ina mentioned. I’ll just copy and paste it into something else. Have to give this recipe a try! They look wonderful!
Gluten Free & More
April 17, 2013
Reply
Thank you and I will have the print issue looked into!
Debbie
April 17, 2013
Reply
Yes, the “print recipe” doesn’t work, so I copied and pasted and now have it.
Gluten Free & More
April 17, 2013
Reply
Thanks, I am going to have to get that checked. Sorry!
April 17, 2013
Reply
These really look great. Can’t wait to try them.
Gluten Free & More
April 17, 2013
Reply
Thank you, enjoy!
Denise Lawson
April 17, 2013
Reply
Hi Carol,
Just before I became gluten free I learned how to make chicken and dumplings. (an old family recipe) The recipe calls for canned biscuits that you tear into pieces and drop into the soup / sauce. I have been looking for a gluten free biscuit dough recipe that would work in the same manner. Do you know if this recipe would work?
Thank you!Gluten Free & More
April 18, 2013
Reply
Hi Denise. I do think so – dumplings are just biscuits that are steamed on top of a stew (or soup) instead of baked. My guess would be to cook them the same amount of time it calls for in the recipe you are using. Good luck and let me know. Chicken and dumplings sounds amazing right now!
See AlsoMorning Glory Muffins Recipe
Karen
April 25, 2013
Reply
Hi, Carol-I tried this biscuit recipe last weekend. They turned out great! They were a bit over-browned; I might skip the initial cook time at 500 degrees, next time. Also, I used your “all purpose” flour that I purchased a while back in place of the separate flours and starch (3 cups total) that the recipe calls for. My husband has really been trying to cut out wheat from his diet. He loved these! So I’m really happy that I can still make things that he loves; but without the wheat! Way to go, Carol!
Gluten Free & More
April 26, 2013
Reply
Thanks Karen! SO happy you enjoyed them. Instead of skipping the initial 500 degree stint try placing a piece of foil over the top about halfway through the baking time, this way you will get the rise but not get them too brown.
April 26, 2013
Reply
Did try this one but I couldn’t get it looking as good as your final photos :-( I guess thats the differenece between the professional touch and my home cooking efforts.
Gluten Free & More
April 26, 2013
Reply
Hi Jerry, I am not really a professional, just a home cook. DId you cook in a cast iron skillet or cake pan?
May 1, 2013
Reply
Really! such a mouth watering biscuits.
Gluten Free & More
May 3, 2013
Reply
Thanks Angelina!
Fatima
May 11, 2013
Reply
Hello Carol, thanks so much for the wonderful recipes! I am dairy free so what can I substitute for the buttermilk? Thank u.
Gluten Free & More
May 11, 2013
Reply
Just use any dairy free milk you like, stir in 1 tablespoon of either white vinegar or lemo juice, let sit for 5 minutes and you have dairy free buttermilk. Enjoy!
Lynn
June 29, 2013
Reply
Look forward to trying these this week. I am one that tried the other recipe and ended up with salty hockey pucks. A real blow to my baking esteem as I have always had the golden touch when it comes to baking. Even my mom who has been known to eat stale, rancid, old baked goods, would not eat them. Will let you know how it goes!!
Gluten Free & More
July 1, 2013
Reply
Oh boy! I hope these come out better!
Mia
July 11, 2013
Reply
What is sweet rice or glutinous rice
flour?CarolKicinski
July 16, 2013
Reply
It ois a type of rice flour. You can find it in Asian markets and health food stores or on line.
Pingback: Easy Gluten Free Biscuits | Another Damn Cooking Blog
FranB
June 15, 2015
Reply
Is there anything I can substitute for the powdered milk? I am dairy and gluten free.
Gluten Free & More
July 24, 2015
Reply
Fran, There are non-dairy powdered milks you can find on Amazon, I’ve never used them so I can’t vouch for how it will turn out, but it seems like that’s that way to go! xo, Carol
November 6, 2015
Reply
mile high wow I will make this in the morning. IF it is really works you will always be in mine and my sons heart all biscuits we have made went in the trash. And I mean a lot of trash bags spent two days nonstop making biscuits
Gluten Free & More
November 9, 2015
Reply
haha Stan! Let me know how it goes. I might be able to help you tweak it if not :)
xo,Carol
November 6, 2015
Reply
Do I need a cast iron pan like in the picture
Gluten Free & More
November 9, 2015
Reply
Hi Stan, No you can also use a non-stick 9 inch round cake pan. :) Enjoy!
xo, Carol
Fontrella Cole
January 19, 2016
Reply
Hi, can I substitute the buttermilk with coconut milk and add fresh squeeze lemon juice to it? I am not only gluten free but dairy.
Gluten Free & More
February 10, 2016
Reply
Yes you can!
xo,
Carol
Sherry
January 22, 2016
Reply
I made these for the first time last weekend. They were wonderful! I used a gluten free flour mixture and wasn’t sure what subbed for what, but they turned out delicious anyway. The only thing is … does that calorie 4070 fats 265 mean the whole pan? Even if it does they were worth it.
Gluten Free & More
February 10, 2016
Reply
Sherry,
Is that something you looked up? I’m assuming it would be the whole pan because there’s no way theres 4000 calories per biscuit! haha Enjoy!
xo,
Carol
Pingback: Sausage Gravy and Biscuits – jovsgluten
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Jennifer A
July 22, 2016
Reply
I tried your original recipe and love it (especially with strawberries & honey…makes for like a strawberry cobbler)! I would like to try this recipe but wonder if lard or tallow can be used instead of shortening?
Gluten Free & More
August 16, 2016
Reply
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, any kind of fat is fine!
Enjoy,
Carol
Kathy
September 13, 2017
Reply
These look delicious. Just wondering if I could omit the sugar without affecting the texture or rise. Hubby can’t have sugar and most substitutes. Is it just in the recipe for taste?
Gluten Free & More
September 14, 2017
Reply
Hi Kathy,
Yes, the sugar is there for taste. Give it a try without if there isn’t a substitute you can use and let me know how it goes.
xo,
Carol