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Easy Keto Shortbread Cookies

These keto shortbread cookies are rich, buttery, and flat-out delicious.

It’s an almond flour cookie recipe that uses simple ingredients. This recipe is an authentic shortbread cookie that is low in carbs, gluten-free, and keto-friendly!

If you’re a fan of shortbread cookies, you’re going to love these low-carb shortbread cookies.

Imagine a keto cookie recipe that allows you to enjoy the traditional flavor of shortbread minus all the carbs.

Clocking in at 1.1 net carbs per cookie, these are butter cookies that won’t spike your blood sugar, making them perfect for a low-carb diet.

That’s what this keto cookie recipe offers, and in case you don’t know, I have a complete list of Keto Cookies that any cookie lover doing keto would enjoy exploring.

Here is our coconut flour shortbread cookie recipe in case you need a nut-free version.

Keto Shortbread Cookies

Keto Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies
Keto Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies were always a favorite of mine back when I baked them with traditional flour and sugar cookies, which were the norm for my family. The richness that the butter provided in those cookies was pretty addictive.

Of course, now I embrace the fat and just push away the bad carbs. So, coming up with a keto shortbread cookie recipe option was a must.

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Can I tell you that these keto shortbread cookies did not disappoint?

I mean, what’s not to love? These cookies have the same texture and taste as traditional shortbread cookies without the worry of being kicked out of ketosis.

Not only are these keto shortbread cookies a tasty solution for individuals on a ketogenic diet, but even if you’re not doing keto, these are sugar cookies you can share with the entire family.

Ingredients Needed For Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies

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Keto almond flour shortbread dough ingredients added to a mixing bowl
Keto almond flour shortbread dough ingredients added to a mixing bowl

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The following are the ingredients you’ll need for these low carb cookies; note that the full printable recipe is at the bottom of the page.

How To Make Keto Shortbread Cookies

low carb shortbread cookies almond flour on white plate
keto shortbread cookies made with almond flour

First, measure and sift the almond flour, then combine it with the sugar substitute, salt, and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl.

I recommend sifting even when using finely milled almond flour because it ensures great results every time.

If you’re including finely chopped pecans, add them to the dry ingredients.

Take the butter out of the refrigerator and slice it into about 30 pieces.

In a separate bowl, blend the butter and vanilla extract into the flour mixture using your fingers, rubbing the butter into the flour until the dough forms together.

Next, press the dough into an ungreased square pan or onto parchment-lined cookie sheets, and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes to achieve the traditional shortbread texture.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

If baking individual cookies, form a cookie roll, wrap it in plastic wrap or wax paper, and chill for an hour before slicing and baking on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

Press the tops of the shortbread with a fork before baking, then bake until the edges are lightly golden brown, about 25–30 minutes.

For shortbread bars, I pressed the chilled cookie dough into an ungreased 12×12-inch pan, added the fork tine marks, and then baked for 35–40 minutes until golden brown.

Allow the cookies to cool completely before slicing and serving. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for up to three weeks.

Tips To Perfect Keto Shortbread Cookies

low carb shortbread cookies almond flour on a white napkin
low-carb shortbread cookies with almond flour on a white napkin

When it comes to making authentic keto shortbread cookies, you need to leave the food processor alone and use your fingers instead. 

Not using an electric mixer will ensure the cookies have the perfect texture.

We all love to save time in the kitchen, but I promise you that these cookies are worth the little extra time it takes to do them by hand.

Consider making these during the holiday season when you want to slow down and enjoy the moment. 

Sure, if you use a food processor or stand mixer, these keto cookies can be ready to bake much sooner, but for a true shortbread with a nice crumbly texture, you’ll need to use your fingers to form the dough.

The reason is that shortbread cookie dough should not be overhandled. By using your fingers, you can ensure you do not overprocess the dough and that when it bakes, it has little pockets of air that give it a delicate crumb.

I opted to add finely chopped pecans to these keto shortbread cookies, but you can safely leave them out and not impact the recipe.

Another vital tip when making keto shortbread cookies is to make sure that your butter is cold. It doesn’t have to be ice-cold but should not be at room temperature.

The butter should be cold enough that you can slice it and retain its shape easily.

My recipe calls for refrigerating for at least 45 minutes before baking. That extra step is important in getting the texture right.

If you choose to form the dough into logs, refrigerate for about an hour so that you can slice and bake them instead of baking them in a pan.

These keto shortbread cookies need to be baked in a 300-degree oven. This helps the cookie have the “short” bread texture. Cooking them at a lower temperature for a longer period of time helps the cookies be crisp.

Embracing Health Fats While Doing Keto

One of the things that took a complete mind-shift when I went keto was the fact that fat was not the enemy. For years, I banished all fat from my diet.

Today, I understand the critical role healthy fats offer and how they are vital to the process of being in ketosis. This simply means I have no problem enjoying a cookie that features butter as the main star.

If I am allowed butter on a low-carb keto plan, then I am going to take advantage of this and use it in abundance. Because not only does fat enrich the flavor of food, but it also keeps your hunger hormones stable.

Customizing Your Keto Shortbread Cookies

almond flour shortbread cookies sliced and baked
almond flour shortbread cookies, sliced and baked

Having created a shortbread cookie recipe that was low in carbs meant that I could now have a favorite cookie back in my life.

I decided to elevate this recipe by adding some chopped pecans. You can, of course, choose to use any other low-carb nuts or leave them out entirely.

What’s more, you could also add 1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips to these and have another keto shortbread cookie option.

If you’re a fan of shortbread cookies, I’ve also created these keto brownie shortbread cookies you would also enjoy. It’s a shortbread brownie combo.

I always encourage you to feel free to customize my recipes once you have mastered them. But follow the steps exactly before you attempt to customize for the best results.

Tag Us

low carb shortbread cookies almond flour on a white napkin
low-carb shortbread cookies with almond flour on a white napkin

I sure hope you will give this recipe a try. Once you do, make sure you remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook. It’s what keeps this girl encouraged to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.

Be sure to also check out our Amazon Store for recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.

Grab Our Books!

In case you don’t know, we have authored two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years. It’s my prayer these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.

Join Our Jesus And Keto Movement 

Looking for an online support system to help you stay on keto? As a family, we came to the keto diet, looking at it from a Christian perspective. As believers, we live our lives supported by God’s grace.

So when the Holy Spirit led us to combine our Christian faith and the keto diet, we did so in hopes of finding lasting transformation.

When we followed the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we got on the path to real transformation. 

Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group that is using the keto diet to transform their lives.  We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it’s not the key you have been missing.

Be sure to request our FREE Jesus and Keto E-Book (First 7 Days). We hope it blesses you.

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The app is loaded with hundreds of yummy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even desserts!

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low carb shortbread cookies almond flour on white plate

Keto Shortbread Cookies

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

These keto shortbread cookies are rich, buttery, and flat-out delicious. It's an almond flour cookie recipe that uses simple ingredients. 

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Measure, then sift the almond flour. Then, combine the almond flour, sugar substitute, salt, and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl. If you are adding the finely chopped pecans to your recipe, add them now to your dry ingredients.
  2. Take the butter out of the refrigerator and then slice it into about 30 slices.
  3. In a medium-sized bowl, distribute the butter and vanilla extract into the flour mixture with your fingers. Using your fingers, rub the pieces of butter into the flour mixture and work into the mix for about 5 minutes until the dough forms together. (note: this recipe should be done by hand for best results).
  4. Press the dough into a 12x12 un-greased square pan or line two cookie sheets with parchment paper, or leave them un-greased if you are slicing and baking instead of pressing the dough into a baking pan.
  5. Place the baking pan into the refrigerator to cool for at least 45 minutes. This will ensure that the cookie has the traditional crisp texture of the shortbread. Don't skip this step.
  6. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  7. If you bake your shortbread cookies individually, form a cookie roll, wrap it in wax paper, and allow the dough to chill for an hour before attempting to slice and bake.
  8. I score the tops of the shortbread with the tines of a fork before baking.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are lightly golden brown, about 35-40 minutes.
  10. Allow the baked shortbread cookies to cool in the pan completely before slicing and serving. You should store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for up to three weeks.

Notes

For best results, follow the recipe exactly and use your fingers to form the dough.

If you opt to slice and bake, the cookies will cook a little sooner and they will be done in about 20-25 minutes versus the 35-40 minutes if baked in the pan. 

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Total Fat: 18.7gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 110mgCarbohydrates: 1.8gNet Carbohydrates: 1.1gFiber: 0.7gSugar: 0.3gProtein: 1.5g

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