Shortbread Cookies with Cranberries and Chocolate Drizzle (Almond Flour)

almondflourshortbreadcranberrylemon These Cranberry Lemon Almond Shortbread Cookies have hints of holiday flavours. This gluten-free shortbread recipe can be made ahead and frozen. Use for either slice-and-bake or cut-out cookies. Add another layer of flavour with a drizzle of chocolate.

2 cups blanched superfine almond flour
6 Tbsp. butter, softened
6 Tbsp. Monk Fruit Sweetener with Erythritol (Powdered)
¼ tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
¼ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
1 tsp. lemon zest, freshly grated
3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). If you plan to bake the cookies right away. If using the slice-and-bake method, wait until the dough has been chilled to preheat the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, cream softened butter and sugar together.

Add remaining ingredients (except chocolate) and stir until well combined.

At this point, you can roll small balls of dough in the palm of your hand, then flatten slightly on the baking sheet.

To make slice and bake cookies, place the dough on a sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a log approximately 8" long. Roll in the wrap to make it round. Chill for 2 hours or longer. You can freeze the dough at this point.

Slice the chilled log into cookies ¼" thick or roll the dough into a disc ¼" thick and use cookie cutters to cut holiday shapes.

Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and chill the cookies in the fridge while you preheat the oven.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until very lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes until firm, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Melt chocolate over, not in, hot water. To make tempered chocolate, melt 2 oz of the chocolate, then remove from heat and stir in the remaining ounce.

Using a piping bag fitted with a narrow tip, drizzle the chocolate over the cookies.

Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Makes 20 cookies.