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  • Prep-time: / Ready In:
  • Makes 24 cookies

These scrumptious gluten-free cookies are a plant-based take on the classic shortbread cookies you enjoyed growing up. Naturally sweetened with dates, the dough gets an upgrade with cinnamon and chopped pecans for a warm and nutty flavor. When you’re craving a sweet snack to accompany a warm cup of tea, these enticing treats hit the spot. 

Tip: Make batches of the dough ahead of time to store in the freezer. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough soften a few minutes at room temperature, then slice and bake as directed.

Recipe from plants-rule.com

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon flaxseed meal
  • ¾ cup pitted Deglet Noor dates
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups brown rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon regular or sodium-free baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl stir together flaxseed meal and ¼ cup warm water. Let stand 5 minutes.
  2. In a blender or food processor combine dates, vanilla, and ½ cup water. Cover and blend until smooth, scraping sides of blender as needed. Add flaxseed mixture. Cover and blend to combine.
  3. In a medium bowl whisk together rice flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Add date mixture and pecans to flour mixture. Stir to combine.
  4. Cut an 18-inch piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Transfer dough to plastic wrap. Roll dough into a 12-inch long log (2-inch diameter). Wrap with the plastic wrap and freeze at least 30 minutes.
  5. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 425°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Cut dough log into 1/2-inch-thick slices (you should have 24). Arrange slices ½ inch apart on prepared cookie sheet.
  6. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are golden brown on bottoms, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking. Cool 10 minutes on cookie sheet. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
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Comments (12)

(4 from 2 votes)
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Tamita1 year ago
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These are great little gems ! I increased the cinnamon and used light millet flour instead. A little bit dry but hey ….they are cookies and totally healthy. Thanks for the recipe 🙂

VB2 years ago
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Mystifying as to why it is called a shortbread.

Robert2 years ago
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Since this recipe currently has no rating I’ll give it one. These cookies need some help with flavor. I followed the recipe to a ‘T’ – the recipe is easy to make – which is why I will continue to experiment with it for flavors. The texture came out fine – better than I originally thought actually, and they are definitely not a sweet cookie. However, the finished cookie is mostly just baked dough with a very faint flavor of cinnamon.
I think either almond, orange or lemon extracts, or other flavor sources would make this cookie a lot tastier.

Missy2 years ago
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Can I use GF flour and omit baking powder?

Barb M.2 years ago
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Is there a substitute for brown rice flour?

lily2 years ago
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if there is a baking powder in the mix

Sabrina2 years ago
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Can any other flour be used eg. spelt?

Elisha12 months ago
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Sure

Shellie2 years ago
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Can I use medjool dates in place of the Deglet Noor? If so, would I use less?

Curious2 years ago
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What was the texture like?

Audrey Nehmer2 years ago
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I used Medjool dates and they taste fine. I don’t think they are overly sweet. I used 3/4 cup, but I may try adding more next time. I’m not real thrilled with the brown rice flour, so next time I am subbing with chickpea flour.

Donna Reeves2 years ago
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Use 3/4 cups of dates with this recipe. Once you make them you can decide if the recipe is too sweet for you.

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about the author

Katie Simmons

Chef Katie Simmons is a personal chef based in Chicago. She specializes in creating delicious, healthy recipes for those with special concerns including gluten-free, oil-free, plant-based, and low-residue diets. Outside of the kitchen, she is a fitness instructor for Equinox, with over 13 years experience in the fitness industry. Learn more at her Plants-Rule website, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

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