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    Home >> Cookies

    Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan)

    Published: Mar 14, 2019 · Modified: Aug 9, 2022 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Secretly healthy buttery shortbread cookies flavored with aromatic rosemary and bright lemon! Gluten/Grain- Dairy- & Sugar-Free! (Keto, Paleo & Vegan) Jump to Recipe

    You asked for it.. MORE COOKIES!

    Honestly I was a little bit shocked to have such a huge response for more cookie recipes (94% said YES on my Instagram poll)

    -- Even though I've already published 14 (!!) other cookie recipes on the blog (omg! I didn't even realize until I counted)

    My One Carb Snickerdoodles have been crazy popular lately, as well as my Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

    I've been pretty crazy about cookies lately, too (they're so easy to make!), so I'm super excited to add a brand new cookie into the mix:

    LEMON ROSEMARY Shortbread. It's dense and chewy, it's buttery and full of flavor!

    Holy. Moly. you guys! This combination is ahhhmaaazing! 

    Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan) PrettyPies.comROSEMARY: Yay or Nay?

    My friend, Nicole, gave me a huge bunch of fresh rosemary from her garden (Thanks, Nicole!) And the aroma kept drawing me in every time I opened the fridge!

    I just knew it would be a WOW factor in a dessert. And dang, my whole family agreed after they tasted these cookies.

    My 9-year old son actually said these were the best cookies I've ever MADE. =O The same kid who will devour a whole box of candy any chance he gets lol! 

    If you're hesitant on the rosemary, I get it! It's different. But TRY it. Even on just a few of the cookies. It may just blow you away.

    Or if you just want LEMON shortbread, that's delicious, too! 🙂Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan) PrettyPies.com

    My Go-To Gluten/Grain-Free Flour

    We're flipping the script on traditional shortbread. No conventional flour, no refined sugar, and no dairy!

    So what ARE we using? Almond flour!

    As I talked about in my Grain-Free Baking Essentials post recently, almond flour is king! It helps give an incredible shortbread texture to these cookies.

    I recommend a finely ground, blanched almond flour for the best results. I buy my flour from Thrive Market (or Amazon in a pinch).

    Can't have almonds due to an allergy or dietary restriction? Use cashew flour or pumpkin seed flour! Most nuts and seeds have a similar makeup, so they can be a great 1:1 swap.

    You can make your own nut/seed flours by blending them in a food processor until finely ground (just don't overdo it because it will make butter!) Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan) PrettyPies.com

    BUTTERY goodness (without the butter!)

    Did you know almond flour already gives baked goods a buttery taste? YES.

    But when you use BUTTERY FLAVOR coconut oil, OMG. Next level GOOD.

    If you're dairy-free and missing butter (and *don't* wanna eat fake butter/highly processed alternatives) buttery coconut oil is PERFECT.

    I use Organic Buttery Flavor Coconut Oil from Thrive Market (such a great price! and you get 25% off your first order)

    If you don't have buttery flavor oil, I recommend refined coconut oil or Spectrum organic palm shortening. You can add a little butter extract for flavor, if you like (it's 100% vegan and dairy-free). Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan) PrettyPies.com

    THIS IS SUGAR-FREE?!

    Can't get over the taste! Lakanto Classic Monkfruit has been a Godsend! It's so dang delicious. ZERO CARB / NO-SUGAR!? Jaw dropping!!

    It makes baking 100% easier because it's a 1:1 replacement for white sugar.

    I have been getting it from Thrive Market to save money. I freaking love getting a discount! 

    Don't forget - you can use my referral link to save an extra 25% off your entire first order from Thrive Market! Woohoo!!Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan) PrettyPies.com

    NOT Deprived Anymore!

    I had NO idea that cookies without conventional flour, butter, eggs and sugar would be THIS good. Who says life with a special diet has to feel restrictive and deprived?! NOT ME.

    Have you ever tried fresh herbs in your desserts? If not, it's time!

    What cookie would you love to see get a healthy makeover? Let me know in the comments!

    Save this recipe on Pinterest:

     

    Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan) PrettyPies.com

    Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan)

    Buttery shortbread cookies - without the butter, flour or sugar! - Bright lemon and aromatic rosemary make an epic flavor combination.
    3.67 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 12 cookies
    Author: Emily

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric
    • 2 â…› cups fine almond flour - (2 cups + 2 Tbs)
    • ¼ cup monkfruit granules - or coconut sugar for non-keto
    • ¼ cup buttery coconut oil - or refined coconut oil
    • 2 Tbs ground flaxseed - + ¼ cup water or 1 large egg
    • 1 Tbs lemon zest - from one large lemon
    • 2 teaspoon fresh rosemary - chopped (optional)
    • â…› teaspoon pink salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
    • In a small bowl, stir together flax and water and set aside to thicken.
    • In a large glass mixing bowl, melt melt oil. Then stir in monkfruit and lemon zest (reserving 1 teaspoon zest for topping).
    • Add flax mixture, almond flour and salt and mix well.
    • Place dough on baking sheet, cover with parchment and roll to 1 cm (â…“") thickness (I made a 8.25" x 4.5" rectangle). Slice into 12 bars and place 1" apart.
    • Sprinkle bars with chopped rosemary and lemon zest and press in gently with a spatula.
    • Bake for 20-22 min until edges are firm.
    • Sprinkle with extra lemon zest and rosemary if you like. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. ENJOY!

    Notes

    To store: Stays fresh in an airtight glass container on the counter for about 3 days. Refrigerate for up to 7 days or freeze (tightly wrapped) for 1-2 months.
    Nutrition Facts
    Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    163
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    15
    g
    23
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    8.3
    g
    3
    %
    Fiber
     
    2.5
    g
    10
    %
    Sugar Alcohol
     
    4
    g
    Net Carbs
     
    1.8
    g
    Protein
     
    4.4
    g
    9
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @emily.likes.food #prettypies!

     

    Disclosure: As an Amazon, Lakanto and Thrive Market affiliate I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through referral links in this post.

    Buttery Flavor Coconut Oil from

    • Thrive Market  <- use my referral link to save an extra 25% on your first order
    • Amazon

    Lakanto Monkfruit from

    • Thrive Market  use my referral link to save an extra 25% on your first order
    • Amazon
    • Lakanto.com Click here {use code PRETTYPIES to save 20% on your order}

    Macros via Cronometer for 1 cookie: 

    • Cal 163.6
    • Fat 15
    • Total Carb 8.3
    • Fiber 2.5
    • Sugar Alcohol 4
    • Net Carb 1.72
    • Protein 4.4
    « Pantry Essentials: Top 5 Must-Haves for Paleo, Gluten-Free & Vegan Desserts
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    Filed Under: Cookies, Low-Carb Tagged With: almond flour, cookies, lemon, low carb, monkfruit

    About Emily

    Emily is the creative force behind the food blog, Pretty Pies, a destination for people interested in healthier eating, and for those with dietary restrictions and preferences, such as dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free.

    Emily specializes in healthy desserts that are low-carb, keto, and made with plant-based natural ingredients. She is the author of two cookbooks in the low-carb sweets niche, "PS It's Healthy," and "Yay It' Sugar-Free!"

    Her recipes have reached millions of people across the globe over a 7-year time span, and helped countless readers enjoy delicious desserts without detriment to their health.

    When she's not creating in the kitchen, she loves spending time with her family and petite Goldendoodle, Eevee, spending time in nature, and eating Tex-Mex.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cristal Schorn

      June 30, 2019 at 9:55 pm

      I am not dairy free, if I wanted to use butter instead, would I still use 1/4 cup?

      Reply
      • Emily

        June 30, 2019 at 10:36 pm

        Yes 🙂

        Reply
        • Bernadene Whitten

          April 13, 2022 at 5:03 pm

          5 stars
          I'm not vegan, but my friend is, and I've found some wonderful recipes I still use, this is definitely one of them. The sweet and savory is a craving I've had for a long time and this scratches that craving. Thank you.

          Reply
          • Emily

            April 13, 2022 at 5:25 pm

            So happy you enjoyed! Don’t you just love the flavor combo ! Thanks for taking the time to comment

            Reply

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