A perfect buttery, mildly sweet shortbread cookie is one of the most underrated desserts in my mind. Although the classic recipe is incredible enough on its own, these paleo pecan shortbread cookies take shortbread cookies to the next level.
Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Pecans are one of those nuts that actually have a very distinct, complex flavor. Because of this, they’re one of the ingredients I reach for first when I’m looking to elevate a recipe a little bit without getting too crazy! Pecans pair well with both sweet and savory flavors so they have become something I like to always have a mini stash of in my pantry. I’m not on hoarder status yet but I’m dangerously close…
As I fell deeper in love with using pecans in some of my favorite healthier paleo recipes I came to discover more ways to use them. Now that pecan butter, pecan flour, & pre-chopped pecan pieces are common items on grocery store shelves, the options are truly endless!
This pecan shortbread cookie recipe uses both pecan butter and pecan flour to really bring out the full beauty of the flavor. If you don’t have either ingredient on hand, you can make pecan butter and pecan flour in the food processor (click HERE) but it’s SO much easier for us lazy girls to just run to the store and grab these!
A Healthier Paleo Cookie Recipe
Of all desserts to make with paleo-approved ingredients, cookies are by far the easiest. They don’t absolutely require butter for a perfect lamination or gluten for a perfectly fluffy, structured bread. Since paleo ingredients (think nuts, meats, coconut oil, eggs, honey, fruits, vegetable etc) are less refined & “heavier” when incorporated into recipes, cookies are the perfect choice for a healthier paleo dessert recipe!
Although I didn’t always love having to eat this way after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2020, I’ve come to find that I rarely miss my old favorite cookie recipes. It took more time and energy than I’d like to admit, but having a delicious library of healthier paleo cookie recipes I can rely on to satisfy my sweet tooth cravings has been a game-changer.
In all honesty, I would give paleo recipes a lot of credit in helping me heal during the hardest phases of life & I’m not sure I would ever want to go back! These paleo pecan shortbread cookies are truly a healthier paleo cookie recipe that is not only delicious but will also have you feeling incredible and energized after eating 3 or 4 or 5…
Pecan Health Benefits
Not only do pecans pack a unique perfectly toasted-yet-buttery flavor, but they also pack a nutrient punch. One serving of pecans is especially considered to be a good source of fiber, copper, thiamin, and zinc. Pecans are also full of healthy monounsaturated fats, which has been shown to improve heart health & brain function. The combination of healthy fat and fiber in pecans also stabilizes blood sugar- making the addition of pecans to a dessert recipe just that much sweeter!
What You’ll Need:
- Cookie Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Large Food Processor (or Electric Hand Mixer)
- Pecan Butter
- Pecan Flour
- Granulated Monk Fruit Sweetener
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- (Optional) Coconut Butter
How to Make Paleo Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a large food processor and pulse on High for about 45 seconds, until a thick cookie dough forms.
Step 3: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, rolling each ball of dough lightly between the palms of your hands before placing on to the prepared cookie sheet.
Step 4: Press each ball of dough down slightly with the back of a fork in a “criss-cross” pattern and bake for 12-15 minutes. Let them cool on the pan for at least 5 minutes & enjoy!
(Optional) Step 5: Drizzle melted coconut butter over each cookie as “icing” & for a little simple decoration!
More of My Favorite Paleo Cookie Recipes
- Paleo Strawberry Macadamia Nut Cookies
- Paleo Zebra Cookies
- Paleo Funfetti Cookies
- Paleo Toasted Almond Sugar Cookies
- Paleo Twix Thumbprint Cookies
Paleo Pecan Shortbread Cookies (Vegan, GF)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 13 cookies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A simple, healthier shortbread cookie recipe made with nourishing paleo ingredients and packed with pecan flavor! Not only will these sweet, buttery, nutty cookies have you coming back for several but they are also gluten-free, vegan, & low carb.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pecan Flour (80g)
- 1/2 cup Creamy Pecan Butter (120g)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Monk Fruit Sweetener (35g)
- 1 tsp. Baking Powder
- 1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
- (Optional) Melted Coconut Butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a large food processor and pulse on High for about 45 seconds until a thick cookie dough forms. Alternatively, the dough can also be mixed with an electric hand mixer or by hand if needed.
- Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, lightly rolling each cookie dough ball between the palms of your hands before placing on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Press each cookie dough ball down lightly with the back of a fork in a “criss-cross” pattern and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before removing. Enjoy!
- (Optional) Drizzle each cookie with melted coconut butter to decorate
- Category: something sweet
- Method: Bake
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0.5
- Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: paleo cookies, vegan, gluten-free, paleo diet, pecan recipe, pecan shortbread cookies, paleo recipe, gluten-free baking, vegan cookies, low carb, keto
