• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Fork and Beans

Making food fun for the family

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Privacy Policy
  • RECIPES
    • Specialized Diets
    • Breakfast
    • Kid Lunchbox
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Snacks for Kids
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Candy/Candy Bars
    • Copycat Snacks
    • Sauces/Spreads
    • Gluten Free Bread
    • Baking 101
  • Holidays
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving | Fall
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • Valentine’s
    • St. Paddy’s Day
    • Groundhog Day
    • April Fools
    • Easter | Spring
    • Earth Day
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • July 4th | Summer
    • Birthday Ideas
  • Crafts | Activities
  • My Cookbook

Gluten-free Strawberry Shortcake

July 30, 2012 by Cara

Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake

The essence of samsara is this tendency that we have to seek pleasure and avoid pain, to seek security and avoid groundlessness, to seek comfort and avoid discomfort. The basic teaching is that that is how we keep ourselves miserable, unhappy, and stuck in a very small, limited view of reality. That is how we keep ourselves enclosed in a cocoon. If we feel ill at ease, we just fill in those gaps. Our mind is always seeking zones of safety. We’re in this zone of safety and that’s what we consider life, getting it all together, security. Death is losing that. That’s what we fear, that’s what makes us anxious. We spend all of our energy and waste our lives trying to re-create these zones of safety, which are always falling apart. That’s samsara.

Strawberry Shortcakes made with a gluten free biscuit and fresh macadamia nut whipped cream!

The opposite of samsara is when all the walls fall down, when the cocoon completely disappears and we are totally open to whatever may happen, with no withdrawing, no centralizing into ourselves. That is what we aspire to, the warrior’s journey.  That’s what stirs us and inspires us: leaping, being thrown out of the nest, going through the initiation rites, growing up, stepping into something that’s uncertain and unknown.

Strawberry Shortcakes made with a gluten free biscuit and fresh macadamia nut whipped cream! 

Samsara is preferring death to life.  When you find yourself with these old, familiar feelings of anxiety because your world is falling apart and you’re not measuring up to your image of yourself and everybody is irritating you beyond words because no one is doing what you want and you feel terrible about yourself and your whole life is fraught with emotional misery and confusion and conflict, at that point just remember that you’re going through all this emotional upheaval because your coziness has just been, in some small or large way, addressed. Basically, you do prefer life and warriorship to death.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Gluten-free Strawberry Shortcake

  • Author: Fork & Beans
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 6 biscuits 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 c. Cara’s All Purpose Flour Blend
  • 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp. Earth Balance, chilled
  • 1 Tbsp. shortening
  • 1/3 c coconut cream, canned

Top with:

  • Fresh mixed berries
  • Macadamia nut whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flours, starch, xanthan gum, baking powder, salt and sugar.
  3. Cut in butter and shortening. Mix in coconut cream. Your batter should be thick at this point.
  4. Drop by spoonfuls (approx 3″ sized biscuits) onto a baking sheet. Spray the tops with with olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle with raw sugar.
  5. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until brown. Allow to cool.
  6. Serve with fresh berries and a raw macadamia nut whipped cream

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @forkandbeans on Instagram and hashtag it #forkandbeans

 

Namastasty

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

  • Strawberry Semifreddo Ice CreamStrawberry Semifreddo Ice Cream
  • Strawberry Rhubarb PancakesStrawberry Rhubarb Pancakes
  • Daiya Cheezecake ReviewDaiya Cheezecake Review
  • Vegan Dark Chocolate Strawberry Cream TrufflesVegan Dark Chocolate Strawberry Cream Truffles

Filed Under: Breads, Dairy-Free, Desserts, Egg Free, Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, Vegan

About Cara

Based in Chicago with her husband and son, Cara is the creator behind the site Fork and Beans: A place where kids can have fun with their food.

Previous Post: « Meg’s Frozen Doggie Treats
Next Post: Asian Peanut Dressing »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paula Jo

    January 20, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    Now that the company MimiCreme has gone out of business, what do you suggest using in its place?

    • Cara

      January 22, 2014 at 2:46 pm

      NO WAY! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! That makes me seriously so sad to hear 🙁 You can always use coconut milk since it’s thick and creamy or go ahead and just use whatever non-dairy milk you love baking with. Soy milk bakes beautifully, so does almond 🙂 Need more suggestions? Just let me know! xo

  2. spree

    August 2, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    love the thoughtfulness and beauty woven here. a very beautiful post, and a gorgeous dessert! and a big yes to life!

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:18 am

      I love that, Spree–a big yes to life! xo

  3. * Vegan Sparkles *

    August 2, 2012 at 12:14 am

    Gorgeous post, I love it.
    When things get really scary, there is still dessert. Everything will be ok in the end. If it’s not ok, it’s not the end. Eat more dessert. 🙂

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:18 am

      HA! I absolutely need this written on my kitchen walls…

  4. Cadry's Kitchen (@Cadryskitchen)

    August 1, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    All of those berries and a light shortcake… It’s pretty much the essence of summer!

    This is such an interesting post about how the things that we think we crave – security, safety – are also the things that can trap us in misery and separate us from our dreams and goals. Of course, that’s hard to remember when everything feels on edge and new! Still, when I think about the people whose lives I most want to emulate, it’s those who are having adventures, chasing dreams, and looking at fear in the face and saying, “Show me what you’ve got.”

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:19 am

      You are so right, Cadry. We have to be careful with what we wish for–you never know the road it takes to get it. And usually the things worthwhile require a path that is difficult but worth it. xo

  5. Anonymous Burn

    July 31, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    As I read your post, I chuckle to myself…how is it you always know exactly what words reveal my life and fears? Today – I am unfettered by the fear of not knowing even though it is also unfettered by a job having been fired last week for wanting to leave. I say…Life, Bring it! Love, Me

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:22 am

      Sometimes we just have to realize that the “bad” and unexpected things that happen should be our companions instead of our enemies to be resisted. I love and admire your tenacity in life, Meg. You are a true warrior, friend. xo

  6. Shira

    July 31, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    Gorgeous Cara – how did you know Strawberry Shortcake was my all time favorite childhhood dessert? Oh wait, is that because it’s everyone’s? Maybe….looks so good!

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:22 am

      I did know and made it especially for you 😉 xo

  7. glutenfreehappytummy

    July 31, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    what a beautiful post, Cara! I love your life outlook:) and gosh, I’d like to dive head-first into a bowl of those berries! YUM!

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:22 am

      I will hand you a pair of goggles 🙂

  8. Richa

    July 30, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    i second brooke. i need a load of these pretty shortcakes. and you my lady need a vacay to the northwest! i will lend you a fluffy pillow which licks your face on demand.

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:23 am

      PLEASE!!!!! You have NO idea how wonderful that sounds…

  9. Gabby @ the veggie nook

    July 30, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Aww Cara I love your perspective! When things bother you, it’s because you care and want a better world 🙂

    This shortcake is the perfect summer treat- nothing like highlighting fresh berries!

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:24 am

      I love that first line that you wrote, Gabby. Beautiful. xo

  10. Laurel

    July 30, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    YOU, lady, are perfect as you are. Right now. In this minute. Tell Cara if she disagrees with me I’m gonna hafta take her back to the wood shed and give her what for. Then I’ll have to take my own self back to the wood shed because I just ate all my fresh strawberries. Waa. xoxo

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:25 am

      hahahaha!!! The wood shed! I positively want to see what happens back there… Love it, Laurel. No, love YOU!

  11. Kristy

    July 30, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Such a great reminder that stepping out of our comfort zone is a good thing. And such a good reminder for me to get some berry shortcake into my life. This looks absolutely wonderful, Cara!

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:25 am

      Everyone needs a little shortcake once in a while, right?! 😉 Thanks Kristy. xo

  12. Vivian Cutler

    July 30, 2012 at 11:20 am

    Love this!!! Looks so Yummy!!!! <3

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:26 am

      Not as yummy as your bread, pasta, and cakes look!! 😉 But THANK YOU! xo

  13. Heather

    July 30, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Gosh Cara you are so deep, I think I need to put on my life list “become as deep and nutured in inspirational life as Cara” serious girl , this post blew me away and went straight to the heart.

    Love LOVE the Shorty cakes too – adorable!

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:28 am

      Wow, I am so touched to know that this spoke to your heart. The beauty of words. I love that. Thank you for reading it and being open to whatever it might teach you, friend. It’s been kicking my butt as of late 🙂 xo

  14. Vivian Cutler

    July 30, 2012 at 10:32 am

    Oh My Goodness!!! So Delicious!!!! Love it!!! <3

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:28 am

      Love you!

  15. Baker Bettie

    July 30, 2012 at 10:23 am

    I actually kind of needed this today. I need to see that what I fear, which is failure, really isn’t truly failure. Failure is when I never try to see if it could happen. Death is not failure, it is just a reminder of why we live.

    AND OMG, that shortcake looks amazing!

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:31 am

      Yeah that need to be perfect can suck the life right out of you, can’t it? It’s funny because you think, if I never fail and remain perfect as I can, *then* I can experience life and never have to worry…when the truth is, that mentality only keeps you in the depths of anxiety and frustration; so desperate to keep your world orderly that you end up driving yourself mad attempting to do so. This is a lesson I need daily.

      So happy it spoke to your heart, friend. xo

  16. frugalfeeding

    July 30, 2012 at 9:20 am

    Looks great, Cara! You think about life an awful lot, it intimidates me a bit. Is it bad that I just sort of trundle along in optimistic self-confidence?

    • Cara

      August 3, 2012 at 6:34 am

      I do think about life a lot, you are right! ha. Partly because I have no job currently and all I have is time on my hands. Plus, this is what happens when SO much change occurs in life–you have to start to prioritize and clean house. I promise I’m not sitting in a corner with a cigarrette in hand, deeply thinking about this stuff always. It’s just what pops into my head at times 🙂 ha!

  17. Brooke (Crackers on the Couch)

    July 30, 2012 at 8:31 am

    Ummm, OK, so I know this is kind of exactly the opposite of your point with this one, but I seriously would not mind being cocooned in this stuff… Those berries look wonderful!

    • Cara

      July 30, 2012 at 9:09 am

      HA! It is always up to you to come up with your own interpretation…and I am thinking I like yours the best 🙂

    • Lou (@fridgescrapings)

      August 2, 2012 at 1:48 am

      I second the shortbread-cocooning. Please.

      • Cara

        August 3, 2012 at 6:34 am

        I will work on that…. 🙂

Primary Sidebar

Welcome, I’m Cara! At Fork and Beans you will find creativity at every corner. From snack ideas, to holiday fun–even crafts and activities to do with your kids. If you are a parent (or just love fun food), you’ve come to the right spot! Come check out the latest idea I’ve made for my family and stay awhile, won’t you?

Footer

Featured On

Fork and Beans featured on WholeFoods Fork and Beans featured on VegNews Fork and Beans featured on Martha Stewart Fork and Beans featured on Super Simple Fork and Beans featured in FamilyFun Magazine Fork and Beans featured in Melissa & Doug Fork and Beans featured on Gluten Free & More Fork and Beans featured on Red Tricycle Cara Reed - Fork and Beans Page Street Publishing

Named One of the Best Kid/Gluten Free/Vegan Food Blogs By

Fork and Beans featured on Cool Mom Eats Fork and Beans featured on The Academy of Culinary Nutrition Fork and Beans featured on Feedspot Fork and Beans featured on Healthline
  • Work With Me!
  • Fork & Beans’ Sponsors
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework

Fork and Beans
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Privacy Policy
    • Back
  • RECIPES
    • Specialized Diets
    • Breakfast
    • Kid Lunchbox
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Snacks for Kids
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Candy/Candy Bars
    • Copycat Snacks
    • Sauces/Spreads
    • Gluten Free Bread
    • Baking 101
    • Back
  • Holidays
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving | Fall
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • Valentine’s
    • St. Paddy’s Day
    • Groundhog Day
    • April Fools
    • Easter | Spring
    • Earth Day
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • July 4th | Summer
    • Birthday Ideas
    • Back
  • Crafts | Activities
  • My Cookbook