This recipe for gluten free slice and bake shortbread cookies is sure to become a staple in your holiday repertoire! Buttery and light, these cookies are delicious.
There’s nothing like a good shortbread recipe during the holiday season. Gluten free slice and bake shortbread cookies are super simple to make, and they’re buttery and rich, making them a special treat for Christmas.
There are a few different ways to make shortbread. You can make it in a pan, and then slice it, but sometimes different gluten free flours don’t work too well with this method. You may have an underbaked pan of shortbread on your hands, and that’s not great. No one likes gooey shortbread.
You can also shape the shortbread into crescents or sticks and dip the cookies into chocolate, for chocolate covered shortbread.
One of the easiest ways to make gluten free shortbread is with the slice and bake method.
The fun thing about slice and bake shortbread is that you can make the dough up ahead of time and freeze it, and even give it as a gift. If you know a family that’s new to food allergies, this would probably be a welcome treat for them during the holiday season.
This version has mini chocolate chips, but you can flavor this any way you like – a little lemon zest, some orange zest and currants, or even some ground pumpkin seeds. It’s a very versatile recipe.
How do you make gluten free slice and bake shortbread?
- First, cream the buttery spread, vanilla, and sugar.
- Add the gluten free flour, salt, and mini chocolate chips (if using).
- Shape the dough into two logs, and wrap with waxed paper or plastic wrap. Chill the dough.
- Allow the dough to warm up for 10 minutes, then slice and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Can you freeze shortbread cookie dough?
Yes, this shortbread cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Can you make slice and bake shortbread cookie dough in advance?
Yes, you can make it in advance and freeze it, or you can refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
Can this shortbread be made with regular flour?
Yes, if you aren’t gluten free, go ahead and use regular all-purpose flour or spelt flour.
Can this recipe be made with almond flour or coconut flour?
I don’t recommend using almond or coconut flour for this cookie recipe. The texture and flavor will be quite different if you choose to do that.
How should you store shortbread cookies to keep them fresh?
I recommend storing these gluten free shortbread cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for about 5 days.
If you make these cookies, or any of my recipes, please share on Instagram and tag me @prettybeeblog. I love to see your creations!
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Gluten Free Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies.
These easy slice and bake shortbread cookies are a fun holiday dessert! Minimal ingredients and minimal work result in a delicious, buttery cookie!
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan buttery spread
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2 cups gluten free flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dairy free mini chocolate chips
Instructions
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Place the vegan buttery spread, vanilla extract, and confectioner's sugar in a mixing bowl, and beat until smooth.
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Add the gluten free flour and salt, mix on low speed until the dough comes together.
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Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
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Divide the dough in half, and form each half into a log. Wrap each log in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for one hour.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
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Remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow to warm up for about 10 minutes for easier slicing.
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Use a serrated knife to slice the dough ½ inch thick. You should get 12 slices from each log. If the dough crumbles, let it warm up a little more.
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Place the cookies on the cookie sheets with one inch between them. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
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Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheets before removing them.
Recipe Notes
The dough can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
You can freeze the logs of dough for up to 3 months.
If you don't have special dietary needs, go ahead and use regular flour and butter.
Nutrition facts are for one cookie.
Adapted from this recipe.
Deanna Johnson
So, for my cookies, I used Premium Gold flax Gluten free blend and I also used half coconut oil and half normal butter. I havened the recipe because I wasn’t sure how they were going to turn out. After I creamed the butter,coconut oil and vanilla, I separated them into two(by weight) and mixed in a half a cup of flour in one, and 3/8 cup flour and 2 Tablespoons Cocoa powder to make a chocolate cookie. For some reason, the chocolate cookie tastes kinda burnt. I might’ve put too much cocoa powder in it I guess. I also didn’t put any add ins in.( though that would’ve been cute)
Julie Bruce
Hello! What is the “vegan buttery spread”? Can I just use regular butter?
Thanks.
Kelly Roenicke
Yes, if you eat dairy, just use regular butter.
Natalie Holden
These cookies turned out great. Thanks for simple recipe!
Maryanne
Our cookies came out burned on the bottom and crumbly and pillowy soft and that was after only 10 minutes. They had a weird powdery consistancy like flour.
Kelly Roenicke
What kind of gluten free flour did you use? What kind of cookie sheet? I’m sorry you had trouble!
Lori
Can I store them in the fridge after baked if I want them to stay fresh longer than 5 days? Or would freezer be better?
Cheryl
Hi, my cookies spread too much and became flat, not thick. Any thoughts on how to stop that? (They do taste yummy, though, they just aren’t pretty enough for sharing yet.) Thanks!
Kelly Roenicke
What kind of gluten free flour did you use? I’m sorry they spread!
Cheryl
I used Trader Joe’s gluten free flour. It’s my first time baking anything gluten free. Does the type of GF flour matter?
Danielle Chester
I want to make these cookies with an orange flavor instead of the chocolate chips. I was given a bottle of orange extract, but I have never cooked with it. Should I use it INSTEAD of the vanilla or IN ADDITION TO the vanilla? Thanks for the help.
Cathy
These look like cookies that have gluten. They look that good!
Can I use regular butter?
marina
hello
Im not looking for the recipe to be vegan, just gluten free
doesnt it need eggs?
Kelly Roenicke
No, shortbread does not require eggs.
Silvia
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! My son loves the cookies! They are very delicious!! Merry Christmas!
Katie
Delicious recipe!
Catherine
Sounds delicious and simple. I’m going to make for my sister, she’s celiac. She loves GF Walkers shortbread but we can’t ever find it. This is an excellent Christmas gift, thanks.
Kelly Roenicke
I hope you love it!
Megan
Shortbread cookies are my favorites.
Lisa
Thank you for this! My daughter misses these kinds of things! Your blog is a God-send to us…Merry Christmas!
Kelly Roenicke
I’m so happy to help! Merry Christmas! Thank you for reading. :)