I bet this is not the first keto shortbread cookies recipe you've run into. It is not even the only one that I have published. But I bet it is the most simple recipe for a low-carb version of shortbread cookies. At least the most simple that has worked for me. I wish I could say it is a three-ingredient recipe, but I can't because it uses four main ingredients. And a hint of vanilla and salt. Still doesn't sound too complicated, am I right?
Table of Contents
Simple and delicious
I love this simple four-ingredient shortbread cookies recipe mostly because I've been looking for a solution to specific recipes that require ground cookies as an ingredient. Who has time to bake two different desserts just to make one final keto dessert? Well, with this one recipe, you won't even know you've done any baking, it is that quick and simple.
Besides, these keto shortbread cookies do not only come in handy as an ingredient in other recipes. They taste perfect on their own, too. They are crunchy as you would expect shortbread to be because they contain no eggs. Add an egg for softness if desired. Deep a cookie in some melted chocolate, and it will be a perfect quick-to-make sweet snack for any guest!
Keto Shortbread Cookies look up to the traditional Scottish biscuit
I must admit that the best shortbread I have tried was in Scotland. No wonder since it is a traditional Scottish biscuit. Do you ever try an original recipe and forget all the low-carb "dogma" just to get the taste of the real, local delicacies? Well, we sometimes do. Don't hate us for that; we do it for the sake of our mental health. Especially when traveling.
How to make these simple Keto Shortbread Cookies
Instead of using plain white flour, we use a combination of almond flour and coconut flour in this recipe. I've tried these with only one of the flours but was not happy with the results. Of course, instead of using sugar, we use a keto-friendly sweetener. The choice is yours here. We usually use a blend of monk fruit and erythritol, which is as sweet as sugar. What I often do is blend ¼ tsp. of monk fruit extract or stevia extract with 1 cup erythritol.
Start with heating the oven and prepare a cookie sheet. You will need room temperature butter to mix it with powdered keto-friendly sweetener and vanilla until light and fluffy. Then, add in sifted flours-and salt, and mix until the dough comes together. Now gently roll the dough into a couple of two by two-inch logs. Wrapped in plastic wraps, allow the dough to firm up in the fridge for 30 minutes. In the end, slice the cookies into approximately 32 ¾ inch rounds.
Place the cookies on the cookie sheet, and bake for 15-18 minutes.
I've kept these in an airtight container on the counter for up to two weeks. Sometimes I need to do some hiding, so they don't disappear behind my back, and I end up lacking an essential ingredient for another recipe. But I cannot blame anyone. Despite the simplicity of the recipe, these cookies genuinely are a great treat!
Don't forget to leave a comment below if you make these. I'm also curious to hear about any keto shortbread cookie variation of yours.
Keto Shortbread Cookies (Most Simple Recipe!)
Equipment
- Rubber spatula
- Electric mixer
Ingredients
- 8 oz butter - room temperature
- 4 oz almond flour - approx. 1 heaped cup
- 1 oz coconut flour - approx. ¼ cup
- ½ cup sweetener - powdered
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a cookie sheet.
- Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl mix together the soft butter, powdered sweetener, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- Sift in the two flours mixed with salt. Mix with a rubber spatula until the dough just comes nicely together.
- Separate the dough in two halves and roll each half inside a plastic wrap into a two by two inch log. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- When the dough is firm, slice each log into approximately ¾-inch thick rounds. Place each cookie onto the cookie sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden in color.
- Allow the cookies to cool slightly before transferring to a cooling rack.
- The cookie can be stored in an airtight container on room temperature for at least a week. Consume as they are or use as an ingredient in another keto recipe.
Nutrition
MORE KETO FRIENDLY COOKIES TO TRY!
If you love this low-carb keto recipe, I recommend you also try:
Kim says
I followed your recipe 100% and they completely puddled into one large mass. Any idea what had gone wrong?
Tisa says
I'm so sorry, but without more specific information, I am lost about what might have gone wrong. I've tried the recipe many, many times and it worked. Might be that you're not using almond flour but finely groud almond meal?
Janna says
It seems to me that the recipe is calling for too much butter in relation to the amount of flour being used. If you check other recipes for keto shortbread the ratio is off.
Tisa says
Thank you, Janna. I think the problem is that we've got a brand of almond flour that was more deffated than most almond flour on the market. I am very sorry to realize this so late. Will work on modifying the recipe to work with ordinary finely ground almond flour.
Gwen Migliaccio says
Mine puddled. I can’t get them off the baking sheet. They crumble apart. In the description you said you use 1 cup of sweetener, but the ingredients state 1/2. I’ll use less butter next time.
Tisa says
Hi! I am sorry to hear you were not satisfied with the outcome! If there will be the next time, please make sure the cookies are cooled and hardened enough before getting them off baking sheet.
In the description, I only describe how I make me erythritol - monk fruit blend. I don't say you should use the whole cup. It is easier to measure if you mix 1 cup with 1/4 tsp, then 1/2 cup with 1/8 tsp (at least I don't have a 1/8 tsp measure), plus you get to store what's left for other desserts.
Rona says
So simple yet so delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Allison Bonato-Garcia says
Could I sub something non-dairy for the butter? Coconut oil, palm shortening, lard, etc?
Luka says
Try cocoa butter. Cocoa butter typically has a melting point of around 93–101 °F (34–38 °C ), so cookies will be solid at room temperature. Coconut oil would probably be ok as well. I can't imagine this recipe with lard. I would love to see the results in this case.
Sheila Dingle says
I've been looking for a shortbread cookie recipe like this for ages...one that I can bake for me, along with the recipe I have used for years for the rest of the family that have not yet gone over to Keto!
I avoid recipes that call for almond flour because of the cost but since this recipe uses so little of the almond flour, it may become a "keeper for me.
Thanks so much.
Luka says
Thank you, Sheila!
Marsha says
What if you dont like coconut ? Can I put m8re almond flour in.
Tisa says
Yes, but as I've mentioned the combination with coconut flour works best when trying to get as close to the shortbread texture as possible.
Ameeta says
Not sure what I did wrong here. But the cookies puddled....and I certainly did not get 32 pieces. Changes I made: reduced butter to 6 oz. Used 1/3 cup regular organic sugar powdered. (the substitutes haven't agreed with me.) I pressed chopped pecans under some of the cookies - and these ones didnt over brown, or puddle quite as much. Everything else as per the recipe. The ones that aren't too brown are delicious! Any tips would be helpful.
Susan M Ramani says
My batch is in the fridge right now. I noticed that your recipe ingredients include vanilla but the instructions don't indicate where to add it. I actually didnt catch that until I was almost finished. No worries though. I'm sure they'll be good!
Tisa says
Thank you Susan, I have now corrected the mistake. Hope you still liked the cookies.
Happy holidays!
Kathy Harlan says
...thank you...
Roni says
Just made them. Real simple to make and good taste. My grandkids finished the first batch LOL they're not on Keto yet they love the cookies.
Thanks for sharing!
Tisa says
Ha, that's so nice to hear! Thank you for the comment, Roni.
Happy Holidays!
Kathy Harlan says
How many cookies does this recipe make? thank you
Tisa says
Hi, Kathy.
It's 32 cookies.
Happy Holidays!