Simple Orange Freezer Biscuits made gluten and dairy free

I’ve made these Orange Freezer Biscuits on many occasions with a variation of a recipe my Nanny used to make. Nanny always added cinnamon to her biscuits, in fact you can see my take on her recipe here Easy Gluten Free Cinnamon Freezer Biscuits when you want them.

Later in the post I’ll give you some ideas on other flavours you can dabble with, the good news is that this biscuit recipe is very versatile and you’ll always get the same results in texture which is a super light shortbread style buttery crumble in your mouth…perfect to accompany a cup of tea or coffee.

This recipe makes approximately 24 biscuits but the bonus is that you can easily cut the number of biscuits you want and 10-15 minutes later you’ve freshly baked biscuits. I tend to bake these in batches of 12 at a time, that way you have enough for yourself and a guest or two without having a full on pig-out…unless a full on pig-out is what you want then fire away my friend I’m not judging you!

What other flavours can I use for my freezer biscuits?

I could write a list as long as my arm here but I won’t. The point is that you really can’t go wrong. The only thing worth mentioning is that if you plan to add hard lumps i.e. nuts, chunks of chocolate, then be prepared to need a good sharp knife when it comes to slicing the dough into coins.

The actual cookie dough itself is very easy to cut through when frozen so don’t worry about that, its just the obstacles you put in the way that you need to mindful of!

• Glace cherries
• Chocolate chunks (or maybe chips would be easier, obviously choose dairy free if necessary)
• Mini marshmallows (or vegan marshmallows if necessary)
• Dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas, currants
• Lemon zest
• Mixed spice or cinnamon
• Rainbow cake sprinkles

Can I make these Freezer Cookies dairy free?

Yes you certainly can, in fact the ones pictured are made using the vegan Flora block of ‘butter’. You can substitute with a dairy free spread such as Vitalite or Pure but as this is looser and less fat you may find you need a touch more flour to make the dough pliable enough to roll.

Can I make these Biscuits vegan?

You can make these freezer biscuits egg free too. The biscuits featured here are exactly that, dairy free and egg free therefore making them vegan. If you follow the steps above for dairy free biscuits. I find that making a flaxseed egg works well but the extra assurance I add to baking that needs to maintain a strong structure is psyllium husk (I mention more about this is my newsletter freebie eBook).

How to make a flax egg

to make 1 flax egg you need the following ingredients:
– 1tbsp ground flax seed
– 3tbsp water
– 1tsp psyllium husk (optional but does add elasticity to baking)

simply add all ingredients to a glass and stir before measuring out the other recipe ingredients, by the time you come to use your ‘egg’ mixture it will have thickened to a frog-spawn consistency (thicker if you added psyllium husk)

Then just add to your baking as you would an egg. For 2 eggs double the ingredients but note that recipes that require more than two eggs may fail due to lack of support in the structure.

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Do you thaw freezer biscuits before baking?

There is no need to thaw your freezer cookie dough before baking. As long as you have a lovely hot preheated oven your biscuits will bake just fine from frozen. This makes them an even better time saver so when that craving for fresh baked biscuits takes hold you know you are only 10-15 minutes away from baked deliciousness.

How long can I keep freezer biscuits frozen?

I’ve kept my roll of biscuit dough in the freezer for up to 3mths before (only because it got hidden and I forgot about it, otherwise I’d have eaten them quicker!). As long as your freezer biscuit dough is well wrapped and sealed it really shouldn’t be a problem. One tip is to wrap in foil and keep in a tupperware tub.

TOP TIP: if you make lots of different freezer biscuit flavours, write in a Sharpie Pen what the cookie dough is inside on the foil so you don’t have to guess. Unless you like surprises, in which case, don’t bother!.

Once you’ve moulded your biscuit dough, pop it in the freezer until you next want biscuits (if making straight way you’ll need to leave the dough for at least 30 mins)

Gluten Free Orange Freezer Biscuit Recipe

4.34 from 3 votes

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Gluten Free Orange Freezer Biscuits

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

Such a simple Gluten Free Freezer Biscuit that's versatile, doesn't mind being different flavours and can be kept fresh for well over a month in the freezer. Now you can have fresh biscuits in under 15mins!

Course: Tea Time

Cuisine: Free From – gluten and dairy

Keyword: biscuit, Dairy Free, easy, Gluten Free, Orange, simple

Servings: 20 biscuits

Calories: 95 kcal

Author: Glutarama

Ingredients

• 225 g plain gluten free flour
• 100 g butter or dairy free alternative, I use Flora
• 100 g caster sugar
• 1 egg or flax seed egg (see notes)
• zest of one orange
• 10 drops orange extract

To make orange icing (for 12 biscuits)

• 2 tsp water
• 9 tsp icing sugar
• few drops orange extract

Other topping suggestions

• 40 g melted chocolate (plain, milk, white) or dairy free alternative

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl add the butter and caster sugar and beat well to combine until light a fluffy.

2. Add the egg or flax seed egg (see notes) and extract and repeat beating until incorporated.

3. Add the flour and orange zest and beat to combine, the mixture will be a very soft dough, if too soft pop into the fridge to stiffen the mixture before handling.

4. On a floured surface roll the dough into a cylinder shape about the thickness of a large rolling pin.

5. Wrap in aluminium foil

6. Transfer to the freezer for at least 30mins if making biscuits that day.

7. Preheat the oven to 180°C |160°C fan | 350°F | Gas 4 Bake the biscuits for 10-15 mins. Remove and cool completely.

8. TOP TIP: for a crispier biscuit, leave to cool in the turned off oven with the door ajar.

To make the icing topping

1. Mix 2 tsp of water or orange juice with the icing sugar, then drizzle onto each cooled biscuit.

To make chocolate topping

1. simply melt the chocolate for a few seconds in the microwave and drizzle over the cooled biscuits.

Recipe Notes

To make 1 flax egg you need the following ingredients:
– 1tbsp ground flax seed
– 3tbsp water
– 1tsp psyllium husk (optional but does add elasticity to baking)

simply add all ingredients to a glass and stir before measuring out the other recipe ingredients, by the time you come to use your ‘egg’ mixture it will have thickened to a frog-spawn consistency (thicker if you added psyllium husk)

Then just add to your baking as you would an egg. For 2 eggs double the ingredients but note that recipes that require more than two eggs may fail due to lack of support in the structure.

Nutrition Facts

Gluten Free Orange Freezer Biscuits

Amount Per Serving

Calories 95 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 39mg2%

Potassium 4mg0%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 137IU3%

Calcium 9mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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