Shortbread Almond Flour Cookies
Published 12/14/2022 • Updated 11/5/2024
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Add these shortbread almond flour cookies to the menu for your next get-together! These shortbread cookies are buttery, gluten-free, and easy to whip up in no time.
The Best Almond Flour Cookies
Looking for delicious almond flour cookies this holiday baking season? These almond flour cookies are super easy to make and I bet you have all the ingredients you need at home right now, nothing fancy!
why you will love these cookies
- You can make delicious shortbread cookies that are gluten-free AND delicious!
- No mess of rolling cookie dough out or needing cookie cutters. You just need some plastic wrap and a sharp knife.
- You can decorate these cookies any way you want. Dip them in chocolate, add sprinkles, or add chopped nuts!
No matter if you celebrate a holiday this time of year or not, tis’ the season for baking and being cozy. We have developed some pretty delicious cookie recipes this holiday season, like these Hot Cocoa Cookies and Healthy Holiday Buckeye Recipe. You just can’t go wrong!
All the Ingredients You Need
Everything you need for these cookies is in your pantry or refrigerator right now! Here is everything you need.
- Almond flour
- Butter
- Maple syrup
- Almond extract
- Salt
- Dark chocolate chips
- Coconut oil
- Sprinkles or nuts
How to Make Almond Flour Cookies
Make sure to scroll all the way down to the recipe card to get the full ingredient list and written recipe.
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until combined.
- Roll your shortbread log into a piece of plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
- While your shortbread log is in the fridge, preheat the oven to 350ºF and spray a baking sheet with coconut oil spray or cover it with parchment paper.
- Remove your shortbread log from the refrigerator and slice it into 1/4 thick rounds. Repeat until you have cut through the whole log.
- Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Decorate the cookie rounds however you would like. See the directions below!
Sugar Cookies vs. Shortbread Cookies
These shortbread almond flour cookies are SUPER simple to make. Many people ask the question: what the difference is between sugar cookies and shortbread cookies? Sugar cookies (like our Christmas Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Cutouts) are generally a bit sweeter.
Shortbread cookies tend to be a bit thicker and drier, and when I think of shortbread cookies, I think of almond extract.
Questions About Almond Flour Cookies
We recommend only using almond flour for recipes that call for almond flour! Almond flour does not make a good substitute for regular flour.
Yes, you can add chocolate chip cookies to this cookie dough! Add the chocolate chips before you make the almond flour cookies into a log.
There are two different ways you can freeze these cookies! You can freeze the dough when it is formed into a log. Just be sure that the cookie dough log is wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in tin foil.
You can freeze the cookies after they are baked. Let the cookies cool completely before placing them in an airtight container and placing them in the freezer.
Pro Tips for Almond Flour Cookies
We used almond flour and almond extract in these shortbread cookies because we wanted them to be accessible to everyone! Even if you do enjoy a little bit of gluten in your diet, you won’t miss it when you take a bite of these delectable almond flour cookies.
let the dough set
The key to making these cookies is giving the dough enough time to set up in the fridge. Once you slice them into rounds and bake them, you have the very important job of deciding how you are going to decorate them.
Decorate like a Champ
We went for red and green sprinkles for obvious reasons. However, we also threw in some slivered almonds because they’re beautiful. Feel free to dip these delicious cookies and chocolate and let them be, they are just as tasty!
Storage Instructions
Layer cookies in an airtight container with a piece of parchment paper in between layers. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 3-5 days.
Freezer Instructions
Cookies will freeze well both decorated and undecorated
Layer cookies in a freezer-safe bag with a piece of parchment paper in between layers. Then, freeze for up to 3 months.
Shortbread Almond Flour Cookies
Ingredients
- 2.5 cup almond flour
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Layer
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Sprinkles or nuts, optional
Instructions
- First, place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix. When ingredients are combined, use your hands to form the dough into a log (about 1.5 inches in diameter).
- Roll your shortbread log into a piece of plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
- While your shortbread log is in the fridge, preheat oven to 350ºF and spray a baking sheet with coconut oil spray or cover with parchment paper.
- Remove your shortbread log from the refrigerator and slice into 1/4 thick rounds. Repeat until you have cut through the whole log.
- Place cookies on baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil into a small bowl and melt in the microwave or a double boiler.
- Next, dip half of a shortbread cookie into the melted chocolate. Let access chocolate drip from the cookie and then sprinkle melted chocolate with sprinkles, nuts, or whatever topping you prefer! Repeat until all shortbread cookies are gone.
- Let cool completely. Serve or store in the freezer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I want these cookies to turn out so badly.. but it’s just a big crumbly mess that is impossible to form into a log 🙁
followed the recipe to a T.. melted the butter, mixed all ingredients together, and nothing but crumbs.. even melted a bit of extra butter to try and soften it up.. but don’t want to add too much more. Should I use water?.. help!
The dough came together and baked nicely, but the maple flavor is too strong for my taste.
I ended up scooping out 1Tbsp of the dough after it chilled for an hour, then flattened it with a cup. It made perfectly even and round cookies.
Such a great idea with the cup!
These cookies were amazing! Super easy to make. I couldn’t believe that only 5 ingredients resulted in such a delicious cookie! I might’ve just over baked them slightly.
Yay! So glad you loved them!
Followed recipe. Tried to combine with a wooden spoon, then my hands and finally put into a food processor, added additional 4 oz melted butter and ¼ cup maple syrup. Still ended up with crumbly mess. No chance to roll into a log. Finally used a #30 disher, flattened the ball and put into refrigerator. Baked them off. Not great. Then put crumbs back into food processor, added ½ cup water and ¼ cup coconut oil. Finally, the dough came together. Made a roll and put it in the refrigerator. Sliced off four ¼” thick pieces and baked them off. Very disappointed.
Dough to dry. Added more butter still too dry to firm ball. What to do!?
Did you melt the butter?
How would I adjust the other ingredients if I want to use Truvia granules (not the baking blend) instead of the Maple syrup? I am sugar free but miss shortbread cookies so much.
Hi there! I haven’t tried this recipe with truvia and have never baked with it so I’m not exactly sure. So sorry I’m not much help!
Hi Guys,
This recipe is listed as dairy-free, tough contains butter. Any idea how we could make it really dairy-free?
You are the best btw,
Eszter
So sorry! We fixed that. You can try to use coconut oil!
Nutiva makes a butter-flavored coconut oil that is the bomb for baking and popping popcorn!
how about grass fed butter ? i’m off dairy but my Dr. suggested Kery gold grass fed butter & cheese & it does not grass me up like othere dairy .
Can I substitute coconut oil for the butter ??
Can I substitute the butter with coconut oil or palm oil…something to make it dairy AND gluten free?
We haven’t made them with coconut oil! If you do try them out, let us know how it goes!
Will this recipe work if I roll out the dough and use different shape cutters ? If so, when do I chill the dough ? This looks delicious but I want different shapes like candy canes and Christmas trees.
Thanks
Hi! Yes, you would refrigerate at the same time to firm up the dough. Then, remove from the fridge and roll the dough out! Good luck!