Nothing says Christmas like Ginger Shortbread Cookies. This recipe for grain-free, Paleo Ginger Shortbread Cookies is as quick and easy as it gets. The cookie itself has only six ingredients. You can dip these gluten-free cookies in chocolate and sprinkles (as pictured above), or eat them straight up.
I want to thank all of you who chat with me over on my Facebook page for letting me know that you appreciate the simplicity of my grain-free recipes. Did you know that I’ve been grain-free and Paleo since 2001. I’m often asked why I follow a strict grain-free diet, if you’d like to know more about that I recommend taking a look at my post on creating a healing plan for yourself –diet is a big part of my self-care program.
Now back to cookies. And the fabulousness that is ginger. Ginger is not only a fantastic flavor, it is an extraordinary herb that we use for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Did you ever wonder how this came to be? According to both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine ginger has (among its many amazing benefits) warming properties; it’s also a detoxifying herb, but that’s a topic for another post entirely. In any event, given that the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays fall during some of the chilliest times of year, an herb that warms your constitution is not only delicious, it is functional. So there you have it, that’s why we have a tradition of eating ginger during the winter holidays.
I have lots of recipes that use ginger –here’s a recipe for Ginger Licorice Tea which will warm you to the bone on a chilly day. And here are my famous Ginger Shortbread Cookies. Well, at least they’re famous among the boys and their friends.
Ginger Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons palm shortening
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 ounces chocolate chips
- 1 package gluten-free sprinkles
Instructions
- In a food processor combine almond flour and salt
- Pulse in baking soda and ginger
- Pulse in shortening and honey until dough forms
- Scoop batter 1 tablespoon at a time onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Flatten dough with the palm of your hand
- Cut out (or trim) circles of dough with a 2 inch cookie cutter
- Bake at 350°F for 7-10 minutes until golden brown
- Let cool on the baking sheets
- Melt chocolate over very low heat
- Dip each ginger snap halfway into the chocolate
- Let excess chocolate drip off into pan
- Cover with sprinkles if desired
- Place cookies on baking sheet and let chocolate harden
- Serve
This month I’ve been doing quite a bit of grain-free baking for the holidays. My children and their friends are really enjoying the treats that I’ve been testing. And I’m enjoying that they’re eating real food without crazy ingredients and odd preservatives. Here’s to hoping the holidays are bringing happiness to your home as well!
Here are some other grain-free chocolate cookie recipes that are perfect for the holidays:
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April says
Can I use Earth Balance instead of Palm shortening?
Thanks again!
April
Elana says
April, I haven’t tried that :-)
Susie Wakefield says
This has become my new favorite! I have three friends who can’t have eggs and they ALL love these. I have yet to get to the chocolate part because the are super without it… This comimNg from a reformed chocolatic! These make an easy and tasty hostess gift too! As always, love your honesty, great talent and transparency. I love pointing people to your site, esp those with young children that have just been diagnosed. Hope and comfort as they learn to not just survive but thrive. Susie
Elana says
Thanks for you super sweet comment Susie! Here are some more egg-free cookie and dessert recipes for you and yours:
https://elanaspantry.com/special-diets/egg-free-dessert/
Enjoy!
Elana
emma says
these cookies where great
Elana says
Emma, so glad you enjoyed the cookies!