Star Shortcakes with Caramel Pears

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 400°F. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda; mix with wire whisk. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in vegan buttery sticks until mixture is crumbly. Stir in almondmilk just until ingredients are moistened.

2. 2

   Gather dough into a ball and place on well-floured surface. Gently knead 5 times or until smooth, adding a little flour if necessary. Pat to ½” thickness. With floured 3” star cookie cutter, cut stars. Pat scraps into shape again and cut more stars so you have 12 stars. (If you don't have a star cookie cutter, you can use a 2 ½” round cutter.)

3. 3

   Place 2” apart on large cookie sheet. Brush tops with egg. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until deep golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, in medium nonstick skillet, combine 1 stick vegan buttery sticks, ¼ cup almondmilk and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until vegan stick melts and mixture boils. Boil and stir 2 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir in vanilla and pear slices. Cook 1 minute to warm and soften pears slightly.

5. 5

   Place 2 shortbread stars in each of 6 shallow dessert bowls. Top with pears and caramel sauce. Garnish with strawberries.