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Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies are the perfect holiday treat. I have always loved shortbread, it is one of my favorite cookies. Last Christmas I tried to make them, but had no success. This year I had an idea going in on how to make gluten free shortbread. Then I also realized that these were vegan shortbread cookies, which is even better! Since many of my readers avoid eggs, I was excited to have a fabulous gluten free and vegan cookie recipe to share with you!

Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

gluten free shortbread cookies stacked on a plate with christmas decor

It truly feels like Christmas time right now. Its cold and drizzly, we have started to decorate and Christmas music is always playing now. Nothing gets me in the mood for the holidays like baking. The kids and I truly look forward to it and when its time to bake they are hands on helping me with everything. Sometimes it makes things take longer and we get wonky cookies that aren’t perfect for photographs, but I don’t care because this is our quality time together.

shortbread cookies on a cooling rack on a table

Making Christmas traditions and teaching my kids how good it feels to create delicious treats is incredibly important to me.  When they try the treats they helped make it gives them a sense of pride.

One of the most important parts of creating a fabulous cookie is the products you use to make it. That is why I turn to Watkins for my extracts, spices, and sprinkles. This recipe is made with Watkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking  Vanilla and organic almond extract and dusted with their artificial dye-free red and green decorating sugar. When I buy a sprinkle it is incredibly important to me that there are no artificial colors or corn syrup. Watkin provides that with quality.

Vegan Shortbread Cookies

vegan shortbread cookies on a cooling rack on a table

Also, Watkins is kind enough to host a giveaway of their fabulous extracts, sprinkles, spices, and decorating sugar. You can find the giveaway at the end of this post and there is another one on Instagram that starts 12/10/19.

What do I need to make these vegan shortbread cookies?

gluten free shortbread cookies stacked on a plate

How to make gluten free shortbread…

Start by adding the butter (room temp), powdered sugar, almond, and vanilla extract to the bowl of your stand mixer. Turn the mixer on low for about 10 seconds and then increase the speed to medium low. Allow it to mix for 2 minutes and then increase the speed to medium/high for an additional minute. Turn off the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl.

Preheat the oven to 325ºF.

Add the xanthan gum, flour, tapioca starch, and salt with the mixer on low. Blend on medium low for 1 minute and then scrape the sides. Turn the mixer on for an additional minute on medium low.  Use a cookie scooper (I recommend a small size scooper) to get a ball of dough, roll it in your hands and slightly flatten it. Then drop it in your desired color of Watkins decorating sugar. Place it on a baking sheet line with parchment paper and bake them about 14-16 minutes. The tops should be firm and a little bit of slight cracking is ok.

These are delicate cookies, so handle with care. They last about 3 or so days, I like to cover them lightly on the countertop, but not in an airtight container. They tend to get soggy if they can’t breath.

I have not froze the dough yet, but I will be experimenting with it soon and will update the post as soon as I do.

What is your favorite holiday cookie?

Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

These lovely yet simple gluten free and vegan shortbread cookies are the perfect holiday cookie.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Course: Dessert
Keyword: gluten free shortbread, gluten free shortread cookies, how to make gluten free shortbread, vegan shortbread cookie
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 105kcal

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegan butter regular butter is fine if you are not dairy free
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp watkins organic almond extract
  • 1/2 tsp watkins all natural original gourmet baking vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch
  • dash salt
  • 2 tsp watkins decorating sugars

Instructions

  • Start by adding the butter (room temp), powdered sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract to the bowl of your stand mixer. Turn the mixer on low for about 10 seconds and then increase the speed to medium low.
  • Allow it to mix for 2 minutes and then increase the speed to medium/high for an additional minute. Turn off the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl.
  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
  • Add the xanthan gum, flour, tapioca starch, and salt with the mixer on low. Blend on medium low for 1 minute and then scrape the sides. Turn the mixer on for an additional minute on medium low. 
  • Use a cookie scooper (I recommend a small size scooper) to get a ball of dough, roll it in your hands and slightly flatten it. Then drop it in your desired color of Watkins decorating sugar.
  • Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them about 14-16 minutes. The tops should be firm and a little bit of slight cracking is ok.

Notes

These are delicate cookies, so handle with care. They last about 3 or so days. I like to cover them lightly on the countertop, but not in an airtight container. They tend to get soggy if they can't breath.

Make sure to share your culinary creations and tag #livingfreelyglutenfree

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Nutrition

Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
 


gluten free shortbread cookies on a plate with christmas decorations

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This post was originally posted in December 2019 and was updated and reposted in November of 2022. 

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