Holiday Spiced Almond Shortbread Cookies
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These almond shortbread cookies are buttery, soft, and naturally gluten-free. They're made with almond flour and real butter and topped with a festive holiday spice mix. It's a quick and easy recipe that's perfect for the holiday baking season!
If you're a big fan of shortbread cookies (like we are), also try our melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies, our Scottish shortbread cookies, and our gluten-free shortbread cookies!
These almond flour shortbread cookies are a healthier twist on a Christmas classic. They've got that familiar buttery shortbread flavor that just melts in your mouth, but they're made with less sugar and they're naturally gluten-free.
It's a really simple recipe you'll find yourself making again and again. All you have to do is stir all the ingredients together in a bowl, scoop them into even-sized balls, roll them in powdered sugar, and pop 'em in the oven.
Wrap them up in a cookie tin or box with some ribbon, and spread the love this holiday season. These almond shortbread cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges because they're gluten-free and easy to make vegan. We always double or triple the batch to have some on hand throughout the holidays. They taste especially delicious dipped in hot chocolate or alongside a warm cup of tea, and kids will love them, too!
With only a short list of ingredients, you may not even need to go to the store to make these holiday shortbread cookies. Here's everything you need:
- Almond flour ā make sure to use almond flour, not almond meal, which can be more coarse and not ideal for baking. Unlike all-purpose flour, almond flour contains (healthy) fat resulting in cookies that are moist with great texture.
- Powdered sugar ā powdered sugar gives that delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture we're after. Plus, we use a little for rolling the cookies in to make them look like snowballs.
- Butter ā unsalted butter is ideal because it allows you to control how much salt you add. If using salted butter, omit it from the holiday spice mix. You can easily make these cookies vegan by using a vegan butter alternative.
- Vanilla extract ā for a subtle vanilla flavor.
- Holiday spice mix ā for a little added festivity.
Here are the holiday spice mix ingredients:
- Granulated sugar ā for a little added sweetness.
- Pumpkin pie spice ā we use our easy homemade pumpkin pie spice but feel free to use a mix of warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Or use a store-bought pumpkin pie spice blend.
- Sea salt ā to enhance all the other flavors (omit if using salted butter).
These almond shortbread cookies are the perfect holiday cookies, and they're easy to make. Here's how we make them in a few simple steps:
- While your oven preheats, get your baking sheet ready with parchment paper and mix the holiday spice mix ingredients in a small bowl.
- Add all the cookie ingredients to a large bowl and mix them together. So easy!
- Divide the dough into 12 equal balls (we like to use a cookie scoop or tablespoon). Dip each ball in some powdered sugar to coat.
- Place them on your prepared baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes. Allow them to cool then top them with a bit of the holiday spice mix.
These almond flour shortbread cookies are perfect as-is, but you can easily add different flavors to mix it up. Here are a few of our favorite swaps or add-ins:
- Grate in some fresh orange or lemon zest.
- Swap the vanilla extract for almond extract for a more nutty flavor.
- Gently press a whole almond into the top for a decorative crunch!
- Toss in a handful of chopped dried cranberries.
- Add some fresh finely minced herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Recipe FAQs
How long do almond shortbread cookies keep on the counter?
These cookies will keep their taste and texture for 3 days. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container.
Should I store these cookies in the fridge?
We don't recommend storing them in the fridge because they may become soggy.
Can I freeze them?
Definitely! Store them in a sealed container or reusable silicone bag in your freezer for up to a month. That said, wait to roll them in powdered sugar until just before serving them. Thaw them at room temperature.
Are these shortbread cookies healthy?
This shortbread cookie recipe contains butter and sugar, so we can't exactly call them healthy. We use almond flour, which is a great source of protein. And we use a reduced amount of powdered sugar and they're naturally gluten-free so we classify them in the āhealthy-ish' cookie category.
Can I make them without an electric mixer?
You can absolutely make this cookie dough with a fork or the back of a wooden spoon. It will just require a bit more elbow grease and take longer than an electric alternative.
Almond Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Holiday Spice Mix
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or ground cinnamon)
- Ā½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make the Holiday Spice Mix by mixing the ingredients together in a small bowl.1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, Ā½ teaspoon sea salt
- Add all the cookie ingredients to a large mixing bowl. (See notes.) Using electric beaters, mix until the dough sticks together. This will take about 6-7 minutes and will look dry and crumbly until the last second when it finally comes together.1 Ā¼ cups almond flour, Ā¼ cup powdered sugar, Ā¼ cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, Ā½ teaspoon Holiday Spice Mix (recipe below)
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the dough into 12 portions. Roll into balls then dip each ball in powdered sugar.2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Place the cookies onto the baking sheet. They don't spread so you can place them quite close together. Bake for 10 minutes, until they have puffed up slightly. Let them cool completely then top them with a little extra holiday spice mix.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more holiday baking inspiration, make sure to check out all of our cookie recipes!
I love a little Bailey’s around the holidays! š
Me too! We always start our Christmas morning with Bailey’s and coffee. š
i love christmas cookies and eggnog
Eggnog is so good, isn’t it?!!
My son’s partner has just discovered she is gluten intolerant and I’m casting around for recipes she can enjoy eating (I’ve just started, at 75, to bake bread) and this just fits the bill. She is a going concern, teaching fitness and healthy living; an avid and accomplished mountain biker, along with my son. and has run mountain bike camps for first nations kids in Kamloops BC Canada. A batch of these will be part of her Christmas present this year. She has earned it!
This really is the perfect recipe for her! And wow … does she ever sound like she deserves it. What a busy woman!
This looks amazing – and I love that it’s for 12 cookies and not 48. š
Yes! Although I have to admit I’ve made about 48 of them in the past week lol. š
My favorite holiday treat are candy canes and chocolate. Thank you!
I love candy canes, too! They’re so special since this is the only time of year we get them. š
My favorite Christmas treats are the yummy cinnamon rolls that I make for Christmas Eve and the Creme Brulee that I make for our Christmas dinner dessert!
Wow … I’m coming to your place for Christmas!
This will be my first grain-free holiday, so I’m looking for new favorites.
You’re going to love this one!
Looks delicious!
Thank you so much!
what would be alternative recipe if I don’t have a vitamix?
You could mix these by hand, they just take a little longer.
I don’t have a vita mix ,if I did would love to make these cookies,they look so yummy..
I’ll cross my fingers you win! You can mix the batter by hand, it just takes a little muscle to blend everything.
This cookie is by far my favorite holiday treat!!love the almond taste!!??ā¤
So good, aren’t they?!!
My favorite holiday treat making and eating seitan roasts. Oh and vegan eggnog! ?
Sounds yummy!
My favorite holiday treat is Hot Buttered Rum! Now I need to figure out how to make it with less sugar.
I like the way you think! Love hot buttered rum!!
Can’t wait to add this to my Christmas baking list!
You’re going to love them!
My favorite is pumpkin pie, but soo many good things to eat this time of year!
It’s hard to choose, isn’t it? Pumpkin pie is a solid choice!
These look delicious! I cannot wait to try them!!
I hope you love them as much as I do!