• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Keep calm and eat ice cream
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Other Desserts / Gluten free shortbread

    Gluten free shortbread

    Published: Dec 13, 2020 · Modified: Oct 31, 2022 by Sarah Brooks

    718 shares
    • Share271
    • Yummly
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe
    Close up side view of stack of gluten free short bread with text overlay, gluten free short bread and KCAEIC.

    These buttery sweet gluten free shortbread cookies are a delicious update on traditional shortbread cookies. Made with gluten free flour that are perfect for those who can't have gluten.

    side view of stack of gluten free short bread with fresh lavender behind it.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make gluten free short bread
    • See the full recipe card at the end of the post for ingredient amounts and instructions.
    • How to serve
    • How to store
    • Looking for more yummy dessert recipes?
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Shortbread cookies are such a simple dessert, usually eaten at Christmas time but enjoyed other times of the year as as well. This gluten free version is made with xanthan gum, a natural product used in a range of baking and cooking. The xanthan gum helps hold the shortbread together in the absence of gluten.

    Does shortbread contain gluten?

    Regular shortbread is made with plain flour, which does contain gluten and is therefore not suitable for people who eat a gluten free diet.
    These gluten free shortbread cookies are made with gluten free flour so are suitable for people who are gluten free.

    Ingredients

    Gluten free shortbread ingredients, unsalted butter, xanthan gum, plain gluten free flour, icing sugar, rice flour.

    Gluten free plain flour: is best for this recipe. The shortbread is not meant to puff up so don't be tempted to use gluten free self raising flour. You can also use gluten free all purpose flour.

    Rice flour: helps with the fine texture of these cookies and keep them nice and short.

    Icing sugar: also called powdered sugar. Icing sugar works better than white sugar or castor sugar as it mixes into the dough better and helps keep these cookies short and crisp. Remember to sift it well or your shortbread maybe lumpy.

    Butter: unsalted butter works best for this recipe. Its really important its a room temperature, if it's too cold or too hot your dough won't come together.

    Xanthan gum – sometimes called vegetable gum, is a fermented by-product. It’s used in gluten free baking and a huge variety of other products to thicken and stabilize food. In this case it will help bind the shortbread without the gluten. It is available from some supermarkets, health food stores and online.

    How to make gluten free short bread

    See the full recipe card at the end of the post for ingredient amounts and instructions.

    greasing baking trays

    Pre heat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Grease two large baking trays or line it with baking paper.

    Hot tip: This recipe was made in a fan forced oven at sea level.  All oven can vary, so adjust them temperature and baking time as needed for your oven and location.

    adding gluten free flour to bowl.
    adding rice flour.
    sifting icing sugar into mix in bowl.
    adding xanthan gum.

    Sift the gluten free plain flour, rice flour, icing sugar and xanthan gum together into a bowl.

    adding room temperature, cubed butter to shortbread mix.
    rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients with your hands.

    Cut the room temperature butter into cubes. Add the butter to the sifted ingredients. Rub the butter into the flour and kneed gently in the bowl, gently pushing it together with your hands, until a soft dough forms and you can form a bowl with your hands.

    read to roll dough on floured surface, with flour dusting on top.
    rolling out dough
    top down view view cutting out dough with round, crimped cookie cutter, with rolling pin on the side.
    dough scraps ready to re-roll.

    Turn dough onto a floured surface. Roll out and cut into into shapes. Once you have finished cutting out the first batch, carefully re ball and re roll the scraps. Continue to roll and cut until all the dough is used up.

    Transfer to baking tray and prick with fork if desired.

    Hot tip: you can chill this dough on the baking trays in the fridge for fifteen minutes before baking if you like. I have made it both ways, and personally prefer the non chilled dough. Chilling the dough gives the shortbread a grainer texture and I personally prefered the texture of the unchilled dough.

    Baking in oven for thirty minutes until just starting to color around the edges.

    How to serve

    Side view of gluten free shortbread propped up against a teal mug, with fresh lavender on the side.

    These delicious shortbread biscuits are perfect to serve after a Christmas feast, as part of a festive dessert bar or when friends and family pop over during the festive season. They also make great homemade Christmas gifts.

    How to store

    This gluten free shortbread will store well in a sealed airtight container lined with baking paper for up to four weeks.

    Have you made this recipe? Tell me how it went in the comments below and tag me on instagram so I can see your delicious creations! @keep_calm_and_eat_icecream

    Looking for more yummy dessert recipes?

    Why not try making

    • Old fashioned fruit cake
    • Gingerbread men
    • White Christmas
    • Gingerbread ice cream
    • Christmas pudding ice cream

    Follow me on Facebook or Pinterest for many more delicious recipes.

    top down view gluten free shortbread in a biscuit tin, with a cup of tea and fresh lavender on the side.

    📋 Recipe

    Close up side view of stack of gluten free short bread with fresh lavender in the background.

    Gluten free shortbread

    Author: Sarah Brooks
    These buttery sweet gluten free shortbread cookies are a delicious update on traditional shortbread cookies. Made with gluten free flour that are perfect for those who can't have gluten.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 40 shortbreads, approx.
    Calories 104 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 and ½ cups (225gms) gluten free plain flour
    • ⅔ cup (115gms) rice flour
    • 1 cup (120gms) icing sugar or powdered sugar
    • 2 sticks plus 1 tablespoon (250gms) butter at room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon (2.5gms) xanthan gum

    Instructions
     

    • Pre heat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
    • Sift the flour, rice flour, icing sugar and xanthan gum together.
    • Chop the butter into cubes. Rub into flour mix with your fingers.
    • Mix should come together and form a dough.
    • Turn onto a floured surface and kneed lightly.
    • Roll out to ¼ cm thick. Cut into shapes and transfer to lined baking tray.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until just starting to change color around the edges.
    • Remove from oven, cool and enjoy!

    Notes

    This recipe was made in a fan forced oven at sea level.  All oven can vary, so adjust them temperature and baking time as needed for your oven and location.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 40mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 141IUCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.3mg

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate based on an online database. The nutritional content of ingredients may vary by brand. If you require accurate nutritional information, you should calculate this based on the specific brands and products you are using.

    Keywords: Gluten free
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Join the community!

    Like Keep Calm and Eat Ice Cream on Facebook for more great recipes

    Close up side view of stack of gluten free short bread with text overlay, gluten free short bread and KCAEIC.

    Pin it for later!

    718 shares
    • Share271
    • Yummly
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bec

      December 13, 2020 at 10:59 pm

      5 stars
      These look great, just like the gluten-filled real deal! I’m looking forward to making them for my GF sister in law.

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks

        December 14, 2020 at 11:40 am

        Thanks Bec, I'm sure your sister in law would love them 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sylvie

      December 14, 2020 at 12:24 am

      5 stars
      It's always great to find an easy gluten-free alternative to classic treats like shortbreads - will definitely give it a try next time I am baking for gluten-free friends!

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks

        December 14, 2020 at 11:41 am

        Thanks Sylvie, good to have some good easy gluten free recipes up your sleeve for gluten free friends 🙂

        Reply
    3. julian

      December 09, 2021 at 7:43 pm

      great recipe! i didn't have xanthum gum so i substituted an equal amount of ground flax and it came out perfectly, albeit lightly speckled. thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks

        December 09, 2021 at 10:47 pm

        Hi Julian, I'm so glad you loved it! Good to know the ground flax worked to, I might update the post to include this as a possible substitute for the xantham gum 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sarah and Damian eating ice cream

    Ice cream from my favourite ice cream shop on our wedding - we even gave the guests gift vouchers for ice cream!

    Hi I’m Sarah and welcome to Keep Calm and Eat Ice-cream.

    I’ll be sharing all the things I love about ice-cream, eating it, making it, reviewing it, bathing it in (kidding) and all the things in between. So sit back, grab a scoop and come on a delicious journey with me

    Recipe of the month
    Biscoff Cheesecake

    Cheesecake on a serving board with serving wear, jar of Biscoff and Biscoff cookies and slice of cake in background.

    Latest ice cream recipes

    Close up peanut butter ice cream in a bowl with roasted peanuts.

    Peanut Butter Ice Cream

    Close up three scoops dulce de leche ice cream with drizzle.

    Dulce De Leche Ice Cream

    Close up of three scoops of ice cream in a bowl.

    Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

    More ice cream recipes

    Latest popsicle recipes

    Close up popsicles surrounded by fresh pineapple, cherries and cherry leaves.

    Pineapple Cherry Popsicles

    Close up Popsicles surrounded by fresh cherries and mango.

    Cherry Mango Popsicles

    Close up of strawberry jello popsicle with mini strawberry jello molds.

    Jello popsicles

    More popsicle recipes

    Latest dessert recipes

    Close up Oreo turkey cookies

    Oreo Turkey Cookies

    Milkshake in a mason jar with a straw, whipped cream, banana chip crumbs and a cherry on top.

    Banana Milkshake

    Group of three sundaes, classic, strawberry and caramel, with whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, wafers and cherry, on a plate with spoons, nuts and sprinkles.

    Ice Cream Sundae

    More dessert recipes

    Short on time? - Check out our recipes and collections as web stories.

    Web Stories

    Check out more tasty recipes

    Most shared posts

    Cheesecake on a serving board with serving wear, jar of Biscoff and Biscoff cookies and slice of cake in background.

    Biscoff Cheesecake

    Shares: 2011

    Close up slice of caramilk cheesecake on a plate with a fork with rest of cake and caramilk chocolate in the background.

    Caramilk cheesecake

    Shares: 2461

    Close up passion fruit cheesecake with passion fruit coulis, a vintage fork in front, fresh passion fruit and passion fruit leave on the side.

    Passion fruit cheesecake

    Shares: 969

    Passion fruit coulis in a glass jar with a vintage spoon in front and fresh, cut open passion fruit and passion fruit leaves on the side, on a wooden chopping board.

    Passion fruit coulis

    Shares: 836

    Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles with fresh lemon and limes.

    Lemon, lime and bitters popsicles

    Shares: 797

    Footer

    About

    • About
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms and Conditions

    Newsletter





    Social Media

    Follow me on your favorite social media and recipe sharing channels

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Copyright © 2022 Sarah Brooks