A new take on the traditional recipe, these easy vegan strawberry shortcakes are made with a whole wheat flour biscuit and sweet Kombucha macerated strawberries. Top with dairy-free coconut whipped cream.
This recipe requires advance planning for coconut whipped cream (approx. 12 hours), or simply use your favourite brand of non-dairy whip for a faster prep time.
Fruits and vegetables growing in my garden inspire me everyday. The good weather of spring and summer graced us with an explosion of fresh strawberries.
Sometimes, I find it hard to bake and cook with freshly picked or local berries because their innate flavour doesn't require enhancements; I like them just as they are.
A vegan twist on a classic
Traditional strawberry shortcakes are made with a biscuit base and filled with sugar macerated strawberries and whipped cream. This recipe takes the same approach, however, with a few small changes.
The biscuit base for these healthy vegan strawberry shortcakes are made with whole wheat flour instead of refined all purpose flour, and the strawberries are macerated in a mixture of sugar and kombucha which adds such a lovely sweet-zingy flavour.
Finally, this recipe is topped with a homemade, lush (and dairy-free) coconut whipped cream.
This recipe is
- vegan friendly
- dairy-free
- easy to make
- perfect for spring and summer berry season
- delicious and reminiscent of traditional shortcakes
A homemade whole wheat biscuit
Whole wheat shortcakes are a perfect vessel for the sweet tart strawberries. However, like traditional shortcakes, they're not very sweet or exciting on their own. They need the good stuff dolloped and sandwiched between them.
The whole wheat biscuit base for these vegan strawberry shortcakes is crunchy, semi sweet, and fluffy on the inside. The crust is crunchy, golden and coated in sugar and the crumb is fluffy and tender. Whole wheat flour add flavour and texture to this recipe as well. The biscuits are quite easy to make.
Why Kombucha maceration
If you haven't tried Kombucha, it's a widely available fermented tea beverage reminiscent of apple cider vinegar, but sweeter. It can be made right at home, although it does involve a time commitment. You can either use homemade or an unflavoured variety from your favourite brand.
Kombucha maceration is actually not required for this recipe, however it adds a tangy zing of flavour. If you've never had kombucha before, you can usually find it at leading grocery chains. Kombucha comes in all sorts of flavours, but I prefer to use an unflavoured one for this recipe.
Because kombucha is acidic, it does a nice job of macerating the strawberries, making them, sweet, zesty and supple.
If you prefer not to kombucha macerate, simply omit and use an additional 2 tablespoons of sugar.
What you'll need
The ingredients for this recipe are as follows, with proportions and quantities for each found in the recipe card below.
- ground flax seeds
- water
- whole wheat flour
- almond flour
- baking powder
- cane sugar
- almond milk
- olive oil
- vanilla extract
- fresh strawberries
- kombucha
- full fat coconut milk refrigerated overnight
- maple syrup
How to make this recipe
The directions for this recipe are straightforward, although, as mentioned above, planning is necessary to make the coconut whipped cream.
The fist step is to macerate the strawberries in the sugar and kombucha and let the sit for about 45 minutes. Again, the longer the sit, the more flavour they will take on.
Once the strawberries are macerated, the whole what biscuit base is made by first preheating the oven and prepping a baking tray with parchment paper. Mix the flax seed and water and let it gel for about 5 minutes. Next, sift the dry ingredients together. The to the flax mixture, add the almond milk, olive oil, and vanilla and stir to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until moistened and no flour streaks remain.
Next, spoon the mixture onto the lined baking tray roughly form each into a circle about 1" thick (it doesn't need to be perfect). Sprinkle cane sugar over the tops and bake. The shortcakes need to cool completely before filling them.
While the cakes cool, prepare the coconut whipped cream by scooping out the thick coconut cream into a medium bowl (the coconut water is discarded). Add the vanilla and maple syrup and whip for about 2-3 minutes. Chill the coconut cream and then whip again, repeating the process until the coconut fat holds a stiff peak.
Finally, the cakes can be assembled. For detailed instructions, head to the recipe card below.
Substitutions
- Spelt flour can be used in exchange for whole wheat flour in equal measure. I have made this recipe with both light and sprouted spelt flour and it works very well.
- If you're wanting to save on prep time, simply use your favourite non-dairy whip from your local grocer. You can also sub the whip for plain yogurt.
- Almond milk can be exchanged for any plant-based milk of your choosing.
- Again, if you prefer not to kombucha macerate, simply omit and use an additional 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Make ahead options
Advanced planning is necessary if you plan to make the coconut whipped cream. You need to refrigerate cans of coconut milk for minimum 12-24 hours, so be sure to pop them in the fridge the day before you plan to make this.
You can also make the shortcake biscuits in advance and keep them covered at room temperature a day in advance.
Th strawberries can also be macerated up to 24 hours in advance; cover and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to use them.
More Recipes
If you love these healthy vegan strawberry shortcakes, you may also want to try these favourites:
Vegan Strawberries & Cream Bircher Museli Bowls
Vegan Blackberry & Basil Galette
And don't be shy! I love hearing from you; if you made this recipe, leave me a comment below or tag me on social media @the_simple_green (Instagram) or @thesimplegreen (facebook).
Easy Vegan Strawberry Shortcakes with Coconut Whipped Cream
Ingredients
For the Shortcakes
- 2 tablespoon ground flax seeds
- 4 tablespoon water
- 1 ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoon sugar, plus more for sprinkling
- ½ cup almond milk
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Macerated Strawberries
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, stemmed and sliced ¼-1/2"
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 2-½ cups unflavored Kombucha, see notes
For the coconut whipped cream
- 2 398ml cans full fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Macerated Strawberries
- To a large glass bowl, add the sliced strawberries, cane sugar and kombucha; stir to dissolve the sugar. Cover and place in the fridge for 30-45mins. The longer they sit, the more flavour and softness they will develop.
Make the shortcakes
- Preheat the oven to 450°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine the flax meal and water and let stand for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, almond meal, cane sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and set aside.
- To the flax mixture, add the almond milk, olive oil, and vanilla and stir to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until moistened and all the flour is combined. Spoon the mixture onto the lined baking tray into 6 even mounds and roughly form each into a circle about 1" thick. Sprinkle cane sugar over the mounds and bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the Coconut Whipped Cream
- While the cakes cool, prepare the coconut whipped cream. Remove the cans of coconut milk from the fridge and invert them so the top is now the bottom. Open the cans and drain off and discard the coconut water. Into a medium bowl, scoop out the thick coconut cream left at the bottom of the can. Add the vanilla and maple syrup and whip for about 2-3 minutes. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes. Remove and whip again. Repeat this process until the coconut fat holds a stiff peak.
Assemble
- Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully slice each shortcake in half and spoon macerated strawberries and coconut whipped cream on the bottom half. Add the top half and serve right away.
Notes
Nutrition
This is an approximation of the nutrition offered in this recipe, and is created using a nutrition calculator. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your preferred calculator.
Disclaimer
all recipes on The Simple Green are developed and tested in a Canadian kitchen, at normal elevation, using electric appliances and ingredients available in Canada. Results may vary.
Aurelia says
A delicious treat for anytime of the day, thank you!!
Heidi Richter says
I'm so glad to hear you like the recipe, Aurelia 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to send me your feedback!