Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

It definitely feels like summer here lately and with summer comes berries!  It think berries (I can't pick just one type I love them all) are my favorite fruit.  I am loving all things strawberry right now, while they are in season here in Minnesota.  I love baked goods with berries, like scones, muffins, cakes, cobblers and crisps but I also love a good shortcake.  Since strawberry shortcake is so delicious, I decided to bake some strawberry shortcake inspired cookies! I have also been on a cookie baking kick lately.  I love them because they are an easy dessert.  I made these Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Cookies last weekend and they were so good I had to share the recipe!

For the base of these cookies I used my chocolate chip cookie recipe. I just made a few swaps like I swapped the brown sugar for granulated sugar and added in strawberries instead of the chocolate chips.  I used whole wheat pastry flour for these because it is what I prefer and use most, but you can use regular all purpose flour if you prefer.  If you wanted to make them gluten free, you could use gluten free AP flour (I like Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour if I am making GF because I know it works).

I have made scones before with fresh strawberries, but to be honest I wasn't quite sure how they would behave in cookies. So I just had to wait and see how they turned out.  The dough was super delicious!  I definitely snacked on some while I was making them.  That is the best part of the cookie baking process after all as far as I am concerned!  They baked up beautifully!  The berries did not release too much moisture. That said, I would probably not use frozen berries for these because I feel like those would have too much moisture and the cookies would over spread.

These smelled amazing while baking!  I could not wait to try them!  They were so heavenly!  Soft and chewy, with sweet jammy strawberries throughout and the scent of vanilla!  If you are a strawberry fan, and are in the mood for something sweet, definitely give these Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Cookies a try!

Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Makes 16

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce at room temperature
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or all purpose flour (for a lighter colored cookie)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, cut into small pieces
• Turbinado sugar for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees, and line two sheet pans with parchment.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the coconut oil, sugar, apple sauce and vanilla extract  until well blended.
3. Mix in the salt, baking soda and baking powder then the flour until smooth.
4. Stir in the berries until they are evenly distributed.
5. Form the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, and place on the cookie trays about 2 inches apart.
6. Press the dough balls down slightly and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
7. Place the pans in the oven and bake for about 7 minutes, then rotate them and bake another 7 or so until the cookies are done and lightly brown at the edges.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool at least 15 minutes before enjoying.