As someone who is gluten free and allergic to almonds it is so important to me to provide easy gluten free recipes without nuts. I’ve been creating gluten free, dairy free and nut free recipes for years and this one is hands down one of my favorites!
This dairy free shortcake recipe is the perfect summer dessert or easy afternoon sweet treat. This delicious dessert uses simple ingredients, most of which you can easily find at your local grocery store. Traditional strawberry shortcake usually uses fresh strawberries but this recipe puts a spin on the classic dessert and uses fresh peaches. Plus, by using pre-made gluten-free sweet rolls, you can save precious time in the kitchen without sacrificing flavor.
Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick afternoon pick-me-up! This dairy free shortcake is packed with flavor and comes together in just 15 minutes just like my peanut butter pumpkin bars and my gluten free chocolate cream pie!
This shortcake is gluten free, vegan and dairy free.
why you’ll love this recipe
- Minimal Ingredients: This dairy free shortcake requires only 6 readily available ingredients, eliminating the need to search for or purchase obscure items.
- Saves Time with Store-bought Sweet Rolls: Skip the lengthy process of making dough and baking your own rolls by using readily available gluten-free options found at most grocery stores. This significantly reduces preparation time.
- 15-Minute Recipe: Simple steps like slicing and cooking the peaches require minimal time, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights. You won’t waste time on complicated techniques or long cooking times.
- One-Pan Recipe: This recipe utilizes just one pan for sauteing the peaches, minimizing cleanup and saving you time washing dishes.
- Weeknight Dessert or Snack: Quick and easy to prepare after a busy day, this recipe satisfies your sweet cravings without extensive prep work, making it ideal for a weeknight dessert or snack.
- Dietary Friendly: By using gluten-free sweet rolls, vegan cool whip, and nut butter, this recipe caters to various dietary restrictions, making it inclusive and enjoyable for a wider audience.
- Customizable: Feel free to substitute the peaches with other seasonal fruits you enjoy, like berries, fresh juicy strawberries, plums, or mangoes. You can also add a drizzle of melted chocolate, strawberry sauce or chopped nuts for an extra flavor twist and personalize your own perfect shortcake creation.
- This recipe is low in fat and skips all oils and butters. No coconut oil or non dairy-free butter here.
- By using already made sweet bread you can skip all the extra ingredients to make them such as baking powder, dairy free butter, coconut flour, xanthan gum, etc.
ingredients & substitutions
Gluten-free sweet rolls: These make the base of the dairy free shortcake. You can use any gluten-free bread or sweet biscuits you like. Or use a pastry cutter or biscuit cutter to cut a circular shape out of bread. You can also use any gluten free homemade biscuits as well. Flaky biscuits would work great as the shortcake biscuits here! I like to use the canyon sweet brioche rolls in this recipe!
Peaches: Fresh, ripe peaches are best for flavor. You could try other stone fruits like nectarines or plums.
Vegan coconut cool whip: A dairy-free whipped topping such as coconut whip. Usually made from coconut cream or coconut milk. Other dairy-free whipped toppings will also work if you are not dairy free. You can also make your own by whipping coconut cream until you see stiff peaks and it becomes thick. Add some lemon zest for a fresh twist.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice. Ground ginger or nutmeg would be a nice substitute.
Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter makes the icing rich. Use other nut butters like almond or cashew butter. I like the all natural peanut butter from trader joes the best.
Sugar-free maple syrup: Adds sweetness to the icing. You can use regular maple syrup or honey.
Water or plant-based milk: Thins the icing for drizzling. Any type of non-dairy milk works (almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, vegan buttermilk, etc ). I prefer oat milk but you can use any dairy free milk!
taste & texture
This recipe has a mix of sweet and slightly spiced flavors. The sweet rolls are soft and a bit chewy. The peaches are warm and tender with a hint of cinnamon. The vegan whipped topping is light and fluffy. The peanut butter icing adds a rich, nutty flavor and a smooth texture. Overall, it’s a delicious and satisfying dessert!
directions
- Prep the peaches:
- Slice the peaches into 1/4-inch strips.
- Combine peaches, water, and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon in a pan.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until peaches are softened but not mushy.
- Assemble the shortcakes:
- Cut the sweet rolls in half horizontally, creating two halves per roll.
- Place one roll bottom on a plate to create the gluten-free shortcakes base.
- Top with a generous dollop of vegan whipped cream.
- Add the softened peaches over the cool whip.
- Top with the other roll half.
- Make the icing:
- In a large bowl, whisk together peanut butter, maple syrup, and enough water or plant-based milk until the desired consistency is reached for drizzling.
- Assemble and enjoy:
- Drizzle the icing over the top of each assembled shortcake.
- Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon for garnish.
- Enjoy your delicious dairy free shortcake! Easy peasy!
expert tips & tricks
- Sweet rolls: Choose soft, fresh gluten-free sweet rolls for the best texture. Toast the rolls slightly before assembling for a bit of extra crispness.
- Peaches: Use ripe peaches for the sweetest flavor. If they’re not quite ripe, sprinkle them with a little extra sugar before cooking.
- Don’t overcook the peaches: You want them tender but not mushy. Keep an eye on them while they cook.
- Chill the whipped topping: This will help it keep its shape better on the shortcake.
- Adjust the icing consistency: Add more water or plant-based milk if the icing is too thick, or vice versa.
- If it is strawberry season use sweet strawberries for a traditional gluten-free strawberry shortcake flavor.
- You can top the dairy free shortcake with any fresh berries you’d like or use any gluten free sweet biscuits you’d like.
how to serve & store
Serving: For best results, assemble the dairy free shortcake right before you want to eat them. This will keep the sweet rolls from getting soggy.
Storing in the fridge: You can store individual components separately in the fridge. Keep the sweet rolls and peaches in airtight containers. Store the whipped topping in its original container. The peanut butter icing can also go in an airtight container. Assemble the shortcakes when ready to serve.
Storing in the freezer: You can freeze the baked sweet rolls for later use. Let them thaw completely before assembling the shortcakes.
Reheating: If you froze the sweet rolls, you can warm them gently in the oven or toaster before serving. I like to use the toaster oven because it will heat faster!
Meal prep: Make a batch of sweet rolls and the peach filling ahead of time. Store them in the fridge. Assemble individual dairy free shortcakes throughout the week for a quick and easy dessert.
Easy Dairy Free Shortcake Recipe (gluten free, vegan)
Ingredients
- 6 gluten-free sweet rolls
- 2 peaches sliced
- 1 1/2 cups vegan coconut cool whip
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup
- Water or plant-based milk for thinning
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Slice the peaches into 1/4-inch strips.
- Combine peaches, water, and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon in a pan.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until peaches are softened but not mushy.
- Cut the sweet rolls in half horizontally, creating two halves per roll.
- Place one roll bottom on a plate.
- Top with a scoop of vegan cool whip.
- Add the softened peaches over the cool whip.
- Add the top of the roll.
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, maple syrup, and enough water or plant-based milk until the desired consistency is reached for drizzling.
- Drizzle the icing over the top of each assembled shortcake.
- Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon for garnish.
- Enjoy your delicious dairy-free peach shortcake!
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