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Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies that the whole family can enjoy including those with gluten allergies and intolerances. The ultimate Christmas cookie without the gluten.
Remember when I promised to diversify my recipes? Well you’ll have to forgive me. The next few weeks will be all about cookies and breakfast. We’re going to disregard any prior statements until after the New Year. Why? Because tis the season for all things baked and sweet…and because I said so.
Here’s the deal with this recipe. I tried to lower the sugar and made them gluten-free, but by no stretch of the imagination are these healthy. There exists no comparable substitute for butter so don’t even bother trying! In my opinion Christmas is not complete without shortbread and for people who can’t eat or are avoiding gluten, there is absolutely no reason they shouldn’t be able to enjoy some too.
I think it’s important for us to not get too worked up about our eating habits during the holidays. Try to get in your fruits and veggies and watch your portions, but don’t beat yourself up over eating a few too many cookies. Christmas only happens once a year so eat real shortbread. You won’t be throwing all of your health goals out the window in one night! Wake up the next day and go for a walk, enjoy the company of friends and family or just laugh a lot. Laughing is the best workout after all 🙂
Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 52 mins
- Yield: 2 dozen 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup icing/powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup + 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any milk)
- 2 1/3 cup brown rice flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch (or any starch will work)
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer combine butter and icing sugar until soft.
- Add in vanilla and beat for another minute.
- On medium speed add in each egg individually. Make sure first egg has been mixed in before adding second. Then add in milk.
- In a separate bowl combine brown rice flour, xanthan gum, cornstarch and salt.
- Slowly incorporate flour mix into butter-egg mixture.
- Beat until just combined. Stir in sprinkles if desired.
- Roll dough into a log that is about 2 inches thick. I find it easier to roll it into two separate logs.
- Wrap log in saran wrap and place in freezer for 30 mins.
- Dough can be kept frozen for months.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove dough from freezer and with a sharp knife slice into 24 cookies.
- Place 12 on a cookie sheet and bake in the middle rack for 12-14 mins.
- Keep remaining dough in fridge while cookies are baking.
- Let cool on tray for 5 mins before removing and letting cool completely on a wire rack.
- Will keep for 1 week in an airtight container.
A healthy cookie is not a cookie…in my humble opinion. So I’m glad you didn’t try to get rid of the butter. These are so cute and festive and I bet they taste delicious!
Occasionally a healthy cookie does exist but butter substitutes just ain’t the same! Go big or go home amIright?
ooh def need to add this to my list of cookies to make! I need to make cookies for a party on Friday. I might make these!
Let me know if you end up making them!
Oh wow – these look awesome! And gluten free too!
So with you on the role butter plays in a good non-nutbutter cookie! There doesnt seem to be a good substitute for it!
Nothing like butter!
MMMMM I love the look of these! Plus, it’s National Bake Cookies Day 🙂 🙂 🙂
Love the sprinkles! I don’t go too crazy during the holidays, but I definitely don’t hold back if a good opportunity presents itself!
Do I indulge during the holidays??! What kinda question is that? 😉 Hehe… I love that you threw some sprinkles into the mix – so seasonal!
Clearly it was a rhetorical question 😉
These look great! I love that they use brown rice flour!
Thanks Sarah!
My friend made these cheesecake bars with a spiced crumble the other day…SO good! But really, I wouldn’t turn down any cookie! Ha – call me the cookie monster!
I might be your stiffest competition for the role 🙂
Sprinkles make everything better 😀 And I couldn’t agree with you more about the holidays. I’ve definitely been eating more than my normal amount of sweets and cookies this past month, but I think I’d rather not imagine a Christmas without cookies… I’ve gone that route before, and it definitely made the holidays less enjoyable.
Agreed – everyone should get to experience shortbread on Christmas!! These look fabulous. I love the sprinkles!