Celebrate St. Valentine’s Day with a sweet treat that’s both romantic and allergy-friendly!
These gluten-free shortbread cookies are perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy Valentine’s festivities without worrying about dietary restrictions.
Made with almond flour instead of wheat, these Valentine’s shortbread cookies deliver all the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of traditional shortbread in a completely gluten-free package.
Whether baking for a loved one or treating yourself, these cookies are a delicious way to show love. You can even make them vegan by using vegan butter—just make sure your vegan butter is certified gluten-free!
Gather your ingredients and let’s create some Valentine’s Day magic that everyone can enjoy!
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Medium bowl
- Small grater or spice grater
- Rolling pin
- Large pan
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack (optional)
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup cold regular butter or vegan, gluten-free-certified butter (150 g)
- ½ cup brown sugar (75g)
- 2 ½ cups almond flour (230 g)
- ½ cup brown rice flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 orange, zest only
Instructions (Video at the End)
- Cut butter into pieces to make it easier to mix with the sugar.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using a handheld electric mixer (or stand mixer). If using electrical mixer, first use the bitters for dough to break down the pieces of butter. And then use the more refined beaters to mix it better together You want the mixture to look fluffy and a bit paler than you started out.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, rice flour, salt, cinnamon and orange zest
- Add the flour mixture, bit by bit, to the butter mixture, mixing after each addition until well combined (you can’t overmix!)
- Mix with your hand it very well. Try to break the pieces of butter that may appear there.
- Chill the dough in the freezer for about half an hour. This will allow to roll and shape the dough after.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Soften the dough with your hands a bit.
- Roll it flat with the rolling pin to 1/2 inch thickness.
- Using cookie cutters, cut out various shapes.
- Place them 1 inch apart on a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes (the time depends on your oven). You want them golden on bottom – you’ll see it at the edge.
- After baking, the cookies will be extremely soft and fragile. Do not try to take them out of the pan right away; let them chill for half an hour before transferring anywhere. If it’s still cold outside in your area, put the pan outside!
- Gently slide the parchment and cookies onto a cooling rack and let them cool fully so they firm up.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container on a flat surface in the fridge.
I made similar cookies for Easter and recorded the process. So if you like following a video recipe, check it out:
How To Store The Cookies
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or keep them in the fridge if you prefer a firmer texture.
You can also store the dough in the fridge for 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months! I tried freezing the dough and I can tell you that the dough came out as good as the fresh one.
Make a Meaningful Preset
The cookies make wonderful gifts when wrapped in clear cellophane and tied with a ribbon, showing your loved ones that you care about both their hearts and their health.
Final Words
These heart-shaped cookies are perfect for sharing with someone special or enjoying as a sweet reminder that Valentine’s Day indulgence doesn’t have to compromise your health.
What makes these Valentine’s shortbread cookies extra special is that they’re completely gluten-free, low FODMAP and vegetarian/vegan, so everyone can enjoy them without worry.
Whether you’re baking for yourself or a loved one with dietary restrictions, these cookies prove that Valentine’s Day treats can be both delicious and thoughtful.
Share them at a Valentine’s gathering, pack them in a lunch box as a sweet surprise, or simply enjoy them with a cup of tea while celebrating the day of love. However you choose to enjoy these gluten-free Valentine’s shortbread cookies, they’re sure to make the day a little sweeter.
Happy Valentine’s Day, and happy baking!