Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Biscuits

Since sweet potatoes are available year-round, you can have a taste of fall even on a cool spring day. These have a pretty orange color and a nice touch of spice. Halve and fill with a slice of ham, topped with a scrambled or fried egg and a dash of maple syrup for a hearty breakfast sandwich.

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  1-1⁄2 cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, more for dusting
  
  


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  1⁄2 cup cornstarch
  
  


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  2 Tbs. firmly packed brown sugar
  
  


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  1 Tbs. baking powder
  
  


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  1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  
  


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  3⁄4 tsp. xanthan gum
  
  


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  1⁄2 tsp. baking soda
  
  


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  1⁄2 tsp. table salt
  
  


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  1⁄2 tsp. grated nutmeg
  
  


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  1⁄8 tsp. ground ginger
  
  


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  6 Tbs. (3⁄4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  
  


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  1 large egg
  
  


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  1 cup mashed, peeled, cooked sweet potatoes (2 medium)
  
  


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  6 Tbs. whole milk
  
  


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  1 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted (optional)
  
  

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, xanthan gum, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and ginger until well combined. Add the butter pieces. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and set aside.

In a small bowl, using a wire whisk, lightly beat the egg. Stir in the mashed sweet potatoes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Pour the liquid mixture into the well in the flour mixture all at once and stir with a fork just until the dry ingredients are moistened and the mixture comes together into a soft dough.

Place the dough on a board or other surface lightly dusted with
gluten-free all-purpose flour. With lightly floured hands, gently pat
into a flat disk about 3⁄4 inch thick. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter
dipped in flour, cut out as many biscuits as possible. Gently gather the
scraps into a ball, pat out, and cut out more biscuits. Place the
biscuits about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops
of the biscuits with melted butter, if desired.

Bake until the biscuits are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Immediately transfer to a wire cooling rack. Serve warm.