These easy gluten-free shortbread cookies are buttery, lightly sweet and crisp, yet perfectly tender.
They’re made with only FIVE ingredients and are especially delicious dipped in chocolate.
There’s something completely addictive about a lightly sweet, crisp shortbread cookie that melts in your mouth. Like these gluten-free peanut butter cookies, best chocolate chip cookies and gluten-free chocolate cookies, this recipe is a classic you’ll want to have in your recipe collection.
These gluten-free shortbread cookies are easy-to-make and perfect for any time of year. (Though my favorite way is during the holidays with Christmas music on!)
Like classic shortbread, plenty of butter gives these cookies their distinctive crumbly and slightly flaky texture.
For more cookie recipes, you also might like these gluten-free thumbprint cookies, gluten-free Christmas cookies or these gluten-free molasses cookies.
VIDEO: How to Make Them
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- So easy to make!
- Tried-and-true recipe
- 5 simple ingredients
- Just like traditional cookies!
You only need 5 INGREDIENTS to make gluten-free shortbread cookies!
One of the key tricks for gluten-free shortbread cookies is to use powdered sugar (aka confectioners sugar) instead of granulated white sugar. Powdered sugar hydrates more easily in gluten-free dough to create that classic sandy (rather than grainy) shortbread consistency.
I also recommend using a high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. You want to look for an all-purpose flour that contains xanthan gum as a binder. This will prevent the cookies from being too crumbly. This is my favorite brand.
How to Make Gluten-Free Shortbread
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the gluten-free flour, confectioners sugar and salt. Mix on low withe paddle attachment for 1-2 minutes to combine.
- Add the vanilla extract and butter and mix on medium-low speed. Increase the speed to medium and mix for 3-5 minutes. (The cookie dough will look powdery at first but will start to look more dough-like as it mixes.
- The dough is ready when it is smooth and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper with gluten-free flour. Roll the dough out until it is 1/3-inch thick. Cut into squares or rectangles, using a cookie cutter, pizza cutter or knife. I like to make 3 by 1-inch rectangles.
- Transfer to an ungreased baking sheets spacing 1-inch apart. You can dust of excess flour from scrapes, compress together and re-roll.
- Transfer baking sheets to refrigerator and chill 30 minutes. Halfway through preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake the cookies for 14-16 minutes until they are just set.
- Let the cookies cool on baking sheet 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
To Dip in Chocolate
These cookies are amazing on their own, but even more delicious when dipped in chocolate! I use a high quality chocolate like Guittard baking bars for dipping.
- Finely chop the chocolate if using a chocolate bar. (You can also use chocolate chips.) Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe small bowl. Melt in 20 second increments on 50% power, stirring between intervals until melted and smooth (or melt in a double boiler on the stovetop).
- Dip the cookies in the chocolate and tap off any excess. Place on a lined baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Let cool completely.
You also might like these gluten-free spritz cookies, gluten-free thumbprint cookies or gluten-free snowball cookies.
Recipe FAQ
Using a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum is key to non-crumbly gluten-free cookies. This recipe is specifically designed to use a gluten-free flour blend like this one to create non-crumbly cookies.
These cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
The cookies can be cut-out and placed on a baking sheet (see photo above) then stored in the freezer for 1 day before baking. Unfortunately this dough won’t hold up well with longer-term storage.
More Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
I hope you love this gluten-free shortbread cookie recipe as much as we do! If you try this recipe be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour 260 grams
- 1 cup powdered sugar 120 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 14 tablespoons butter 200 grams, chilled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- high-quality semi-sweet chocolate for dipping optional
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the gluten-free flour, powdered sugar and salt. Mix on low for 1-2 minutes to combine.
- Add the vanilla and butter and mix on medium-low speed. Increase the speed to medium and mix for 3-5 minutes. (The dough will look powdery at first but will start to look more dough-like as it mixes. The dough is ready when it is smooth and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.)
- Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper with gluten-free flour. Roll the dough out until it is 1/3-inch thick. Cut into squares or rectangles, using a cookie cutter, pizza cutter or knife. I like to make 3 by 1-inch rectangles.
- Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet spacing 1-inch apart. You can dust off excess flour from scrapes, compress together and re-roll.
- Transfer baking sheets to refrigerator and chill 30 minutes. Halfway through preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake the cookies for 14-16 minutes until they are just set.
- Let the cookies cool on baking sheet 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
To Dip in Chocolate:
- Finely chop the chocolate if using a chocolate bar. (You can also use chocolate chips.) Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe dish. Melt in 20 second increments on 50% power, stirring between intervals until melted and smooth (or melt in a double boiler on the stovetop).
- Dip the cookies in the chocolate and tap off any excess. Place on a lined baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Let cool completely. Enjoy!
Absolutely delicious! Having to go gluten free because of coeliac has been very challenging for my daughter and myself. We really missed baked goodies this Christmas. This shortbread is amazing, even my family members that are not gf were impressed. I love King Arthur measure for measure flour but your recipes make it work even better (my own attempts were not very good). Thank for taking the pain out of being gluten free. I am excited about baking again!
I’m so glad the cookies turned out for you! I find KAF (and all gluten-free flour blends!) needs a little help to turn out correctly. Glad the recipe have been helpful! Thanks for the comment!
Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you! Being gluten free, shortbreads were the cookie I missed the most at Christmas, but not anymore :). They are delicious. Now, I just have to hide them from the rest of my family 😉
Thank you Erin. My daughter loves these shortbread cookies. Just wondering if you could use this dough to do shortbread drop cookies and add chocolate chips?
I’m so glad your daughter likes them! I haven’t tried this myself, but I think that should work! I would shape the cookies and freeze them as directed before baking. I hope it works for you! 🙂
I tried these for the first time and they taste amazing! I did encounter one problem though–try as I might, I couldn’t get the dough to the right consistency. It remained crumbly until I added a splash of water. I’m wondering if it’s my mixer (a cheap hand mixer) or if the butter was too cold?
It took me about 20 min before it came together. I beat 2 min then break did about 5 sessions then after that went straight for 5 min then it came together. Maybe that helps u
Very tasty. Everyone loved them
I think I may have asked this question on one of your other recipies but I can’t see any reply so I’ll try again I cannot get hold of this flour in the U.K so can you tell me how much Xantham gum I need to add to my regular all purpose gluten free flour. Thanks.
Hi Fiona. Not sure if you’ve gotten a response to your question but I’ve read online that you should add 1 tsp xanthan gum per 1 cup GF flour. Hope that helps!
I have tried a lot of GF shortbread cookies and up to now they have been awful. Like eating rocks. This is hands down the best GF cookie recipe I have ever tried. You wouldn’t even know they are GF – they are so good! Thank you for posting this recipe.
I’m so glad to hear you like recipe! Thanks for the comment 🙂
I made these cookies this past weekend for a family Christmas event. They turned out great and everyone loved them. When I baked mine, they did not hold their shape very well and expanded – how do I prevent this from happening in the future? It was not a big deal as I just cut the cookie in half, but was wondering if I did something wrong during the process! Love the recipe regardless and will be making again in the future!
This has happened to me now twice, too. Not sure what I am doing wrong. They are delicious though!
I skipped rolling out the dough and spread the dough into a 9×9 pan instead. They turned out good, however baking individual cookies would likely be more crispy.
*I micro-planed 1 orange and added 1/2 of it into the dough, then sprinkled the rest on top once baked and I drizzled chocolate on top! DELISH!!!!
Looks easy and amazing. I want to mail them, but don’t think it can make the trip. Any suggestions?
Do these cookies freeze well? Would like to make for Christmas.
Thanks
Yes! These cookies freeze very well. Just place them in an airtight container or ziploc bag to freeze. They will keep up to 3 months – defrost them at room temperature before serving. I hope you enjoy them!
So I love to bake, but I am celiac and making most of my yummy baked goods G.F. Well, this did not disappoint me….Yummy and love the chocolate dip side on the cookies! I will be making these again for Christimas. Thank you.
I’m so happy they turned out for you! The chocolate really does make them extra delicious. Thanks for the comment!
Followed recipe to a tee used Robin Hood all purpose flour 1:1 . Baked 15 min reg oven turned out amazing . Juts had one crack in half but I think I may have made it too thin
I also used Robin Hood and loved this recipe. Holds true to shortbread taste with a simple recipe!
I’m so glad the cookies turned out for you!
These cookies are amazing! So so good. Thank you for a wonderful shortbread recipe!
Seriously so easy and tasty! Planning to bring to a bridal shower.
These are yummy and so simple to make! I used GF Jules all-purpose gf flour (gfjules.com). I was 1/2c sort so I added finely sifted almond flour and crossed my fingers. The dough wasn’t pulling from the sides of of my mixing bowl, so I sprinkled in some additional powdered sugar (I used organic cane powdered sugar which could have made a difference). The dough came together quickly and was simple to gently roll out. If i pressed to hard, it would stick to my mini rolling pin. I followed the steps as written. Mine cooked for 14 minutes total in a convection oven. I used Guittard extra dark chocolate chips. Next time I’ll add a tad of coconut oil to the chocolate to make it a bit thinner. I made them last night and transferred to a pan and put in the fridge. I live in AZ, and it is HOT here. This morning, they are as tasty as they were last night. I transferred to a sealed container and put them back in the fridge.
The texture is light and crispy. They don’t crumble in your hands when you take a bite, but they taste like they could – they are super delicate tasting, but I like that they still hold their shape.
I pull mine out of the oven the moment I noticed them beginning to brown. I’m seriously a huge Meaningful Eats fan, but these cookies might make the top of my list!
*I also subbed 1/2 vegan butter as I’m dairy intolerant. Even with my changes they came together simply and taste divine!
Thank you!!!!
This is such a helpful comment! I’m so glad you like the recipe! Thanks for letting me know how they turned out for you 🙂
Can you make these cookies with a different type of sugar say maple sugar?
I haven’t tried this myself! Sugar is important for the proper cookie texture though. I think maple sugar would work better than something like monk fruit. Let me know if you try it!