These accidentally-vegan maple pecan shortbread cookies are wonderfully buttery and crisp, and they don’t even have any butter in them! Gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and 100% good, real food ingredients, they’re still snarfed down lightning-quick by butter-loving folk. They couldn’t be simpler to make, too!
*Note: You can also make these with stevia extract for a completely sugar-free treat. Just add a gelatin egg to the dough to help everything hold together.
Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Maple Pecan Shortbread Cookies
2 cups almond flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup maple syrup (or 45-50 drops stevia extract + gelatin egg*)
1/2 cup rolled oats (optional)
1 cup pecans (chopped, if not using a food processor)
(*If using stevia instead of maple syrup, make a gelatin egg by sprinkling 1 Tbs. gelatin over 3 Tbs. cold water, stir and let sit for 5 minutes, then heat in microwave for a few seconds or on stove until just melted. Add to dough with wet ingredients.)
Preheat oven to 350° F
Combine almond flour, salt, and vanilla in food processor or large bowl. Add coconut oil and maple syrup and pulse or mix until soft dough forms. Then add pecans and oats and pulse until mixed and nuts are chopped to desired fineness.
Scoop onto lined cookie sheets with cookie scoop (or spoon) and flatten with fingers.
Bake at 350° F for 8-12 minutes until bottoms and edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
Let cool, and enjoy! These go wonderfully with a hot cup of tea and a classic movie!
Makes about 2 dozen cookies. Freeze in an airtight container, and they will be just like fresh-baked for months!
Recipe notes:
*These have a flavor and texture reminiscent of those lovely little Pecan Sandies. If you brown them more, they have more of a peanut-butter-cookie-flavor.
**Adding the gelatin egg does change the texture slightly, but it is necessary to help the cookies hold together without the maple syrup. The gelatin/stevia version is the one photographed.
Let us know if you have any questions, and if you try making some, we’d love to hear what you think! 🙂