Vegan Strawberry Shortcake

This recipe can really be made decadent, depending on the amount of vegan whipped cream you decide to add or by adding warm chocolate (non dairy) sauce overtop.  Either way, it is a delicious and healthy treat. I have amended a recipe by Kim Barnouin (the Skinny Bitch) to make it more nutritious.

8 servings

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup organic or regular cane sugar plus 1 Tablespoon extra (if you have neither available, plain sugar will do fine)
2 cups sliced fresh (preferably organic) strawberries
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup Earth Balance, cold and cut into cubes (Earth Balance is an organic, healthy margarine-type product)
3/4 cup almond milk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Vegan whipped cream (or dairy low-fat if you prefer)

Preheat oven to 400F.  In a large bowl, add the strawberries and 1 Tablespoon of the sugar.  Mix until the strawberries are well coated with sugar and then place in fridge until the biscuits are done.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the salt.  Add the Earth Balance and mix with a pastry cutter (or a fork).  The batter should look crumbly.  In a measuring cup, combine the almond milk and the vanilla.  Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir only until just combined.  Lightly flour a flat surface (like a large cutting board) and knead the dough with your hands adding more flour if necessary.  Don't overknead the dough, just keep going until it is not terribly stick and is a decent texture. (You will likely have to add more flour - no worries - just keep adding bit by bit until the dough becomes manageable)  Roll out the dough, then use a round drinking glass turned upside down to cut out about 8 circles.  Place them on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet.  You will need to remold and the dough and roll it out a few times in order to get all 8 shapes cut out.  Bake for 10 minutes.

All biscuits to cool for a few minutes.  Slice the biscuit in half horizontally (so that you have a bottom and top half).  Add strawberries and whipped cream to the bottom half, place the top biscuit on top and enjoy!  If desired, add another dollop of whipped cream on top of the shortcake.  YUM!!!