These grain-free butter cookies are tender with a light vanilla-almond scent and moist crumb. Plan ahead – you let the dough sit overnight to hydrate for the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies!
I realized we’re only two weeks away from Christmas, and I hadn’t gotten a cookie recipe on the website. What kind of half-arse food blogger do I think I am?
When it comes to Christmas cookies, I always enjoy the classics the most. Something about the nostalgia and simplicity – the many childhood occasions and the many people who all magically know all the same recipes. I just find a tray of Peanut Butter Blossoms around the holiday so very comforting.
These grain-free butter cookies are absolutely divine! The crumb is so moist, tender, and buttery – you’ll actually be able to stop at just one, they’re that satisfying and rich – but not overly sweet.
You need to plan ahead for these cookies – I allow the dough to sit in the fridge overnight to hydrate. Hydrating cookie dough allows the delicious softened butter to be absorbed into the almond flour and coconut flour for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Need these cookies for Christmas morning? Just whip up this easy, low-ingredient dough in the afternoon or evening on Christmas Eve, and quickly roll the dough and bake in the morning!
What’s in these Grain-Free Butter Cookies:
- Unsalted Butter – I like to use pastured or grass-fed butter for nutrient density. Vital Farms and Kerrygold are both easy to find!
- Powdered Organic Sugar – No substitutions here! You need this finely milled powdered sugar for the correct cookie texture. I use Wholesome Brand, which you can find in the baking aisle of many grocery stores. It uses organic powdered sugar and organic tapioca starch (instead of corn starch) to keep these cookies corn-free.
- Fine Almond Flour – Bob’s Red Mill is always my go-to and almond flour’s sweetness and nuttiness lend well to Christmas Cookie making! Do NOT use almond meal or your cookies will be gritty.
- Coconut Flour – usually coconut flour creates a very dry, crumble cookie but by hydrating it overnight with all that wonderful butter, you avoid this! Always measure coconut flour with a light hand and do not pack it into your measuring spoon.
- Vanilla and Almond Extract – for a richer, sweeter flavor – don’t leave these out!
- Salt
If you’re looking for a couple other Grain-Free Christmas Cookie options, check out the following:
Tigernut Chocolate Chip Cookies (taste like Nestle Tollhouse)
Soft Sugar Cookies made with almond flour
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Cookies
Maple Butter Cranberry Bark – not a cookie but allergen-free
Happy Holidays to you all – I hope these cookies make it to your family’s festivities this year!
Grain-Free Butter Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 13 min
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 20 to 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
8 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons powdered organic sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups fine almond flour, sifted
2 tablespoons coconut flour, sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine softened butter with sugar and extracts. Blend until whipped and smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add almond flour, coconut flour and salt to food processor. Combine until a smooth dough forms. It will not be as firm as typical cookie dough.
- Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula, cover, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. This allows the flour to absorb the moisture from the butter and sugar and create a tender, buttery cookie.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove dough from refrigerator.
- Using a food scale to measure, roll 1-ounce portions (about 2 tablespoons) of cookie dough vigorously in your hands to form even balls. Place on cookie sheet 2-inches apart to allow room for the cookies to spread. Do not press the cookies down. They will spread and flatten in the oven.
- Bake for 13 minutes until the edges are a very light golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool until firm enough to pick up. Store covered for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days – bringing to room temperature to enjoy.
7 Responses
Just made these, and so happy I did!! Every year I look for a Christmas cookie to make that reminds me of the flavors of Danish butter cookies and meet my dietary needs. These are PERFECT! Soooo buttery and delicious!
I am so so happy to hear that, Katie! I love when grain-free still feels nostalgic 🙂
Do you have a sub you can recommend for the almond flour?
I am wondering this too! Nuts are a no over here 🙁
I made these today. The taste wonderful and the texture (although not like a regular cookie) is moist and slightly crunchy on the outside. The only problem is – they didn’t spread. They went on the cookie sheet like little balls and cooked up like ever-so-slightly flatter little balls. Any advice you can offer?
It sounds like a couple things could have happened: liquid measurements were low, your oven temperature may not be accurate, or your cookies/house were very cold when you put them in. Every time I’ve made them, they have spread in the last 4-5 minutes of bake time! You can try pressing them flat and baking, for a thinner cookie than your first attempt!
These look yummy. I am no baker but I might be able to pull these off.