Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate cookies are always a hit, and these Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are flourless, sugar-free, and gluten-free. And these tasty shortbread cookies have only 2 net carbs per cookie, and they’re great any time of year!
PIN the Chocolate Shortbread Cookies cookies to try them later!
If you’ve followed my blog for a while it’s probably obvious that I’m definitely more of a savory cook than a baker, but I do have a few sugar-free cookie recipes that I like to make. And for those who are baking for the holidays, these Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are flourless and sugar-free. And this is a tasty cookie that’s easy to make so I’m reminding you about them for my Friday Favorites pick this week.
When I tested these cookies with my niece Kara, I put some in the freezer to have later. And then I’d enjoy grabbing one of the low-carb chocolate shortbread cookies occasionally to enjoy with my coffee in the morning. If you like the idea of a sugar-free almond flour cookie that’s loaded with chocolate flavor, I hope you’ll try this recipe.
What ingredients do you need?
(This is ONLY a list of ingredients for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- butter
- Monkfruit Sweetener (affiliate link) or other sweetener of your choice
- salt
- Vanilla (affiliate link)
- Cocoa Powder (affiliate link)
- Almond Flour (affiliate link)
What sweeteners could you use?
I first made these sugar-free chocolate shortbread cookies with Golden Monkfruit Sweetener (affiliate link) which I’m liking for a sugar-free sweetener with brown sugar flavor. But now that I’ve become a huge fan of Monkfruit Sweetener I’m realizing that classic Monkfruit Sweetener (affiliate link) will dissolve a bit better in recipes where there’s not much liquid. But if there’s one thing I know about sweeteners, it’s that they don’t taste the same to everyone, so if you have a preferred no-calorie sweetener, go ahead and use that in these cookies!
Can you make the chocolate shortbread cookies with almond meal?
I first used the coarser-ground almond meal for these cookies, but now I’d prefer the finer-ground blanched almond flour.
Want more flourless sugar-free cookie recipes?
Check out My Favorite Flourless Sugar-Free Cookies to see more ideas for cookies to bake during the holidays! Or take a look at 20 Low-Carb Chocolate Desserts for a round-up of sugar-free chocolate desserts from blogs around the web.
How to Make Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies:
(This is ONLY a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- Put butter in a plastic bowl and let it soften for a while before you start the cookies.
- Preheat the oven to 300F/150C. We used parchment paper sheets (affiliate link) to bake these on.
- You can make these cookies with a hand mixer (affiliate link) but we used a KitchenAid Stand Mixer (affiliate link) to combine the softened butter, Monkfruit Sweetener, salt, and vanilla.
- Then add cocoa powder and almond flour and continue to mix until they’re well combined with the other ingredients.
- We scooped out the dough with a metal tablespoon measuring spoon, which made 20 cookies.
- Use a fork to mash down the balls and make the cookies the same size.
- Bake Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies 30-35 minutes, or until the cookies feel slightly firm to the touch when you press with a finger.
- Cool a few minutes on the baking sheet, then slide the parchment paper off onto a cooling rack and let them cool longer, about 30 minutes total cooling time. They will be somewhat soft until they cool.
- You can keep these in the freezer like I do if you want to keep from eating them all right away!
Want more sugar-free desserts?
- Low-Carb Cheesecake with Cherry Topping
- Flourless Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
- Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies
- Almond Flour Brownies
- Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies just might become your favorite Christmas cookie! And WAAAY back in my early days of blogging, these cookies were featured on Oprah.com!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (one stick) softened butter
- 1/2 cup + 2 T Monkfruit sweetener (see notes)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 3 T dark cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
Instructions
- Put the butter in a plastic bowl on the counter and let it soften for a while before you start the cookies.
- Preheat the oven to 300F/150C. Put parchment paper sheets (affiliate link) on to a large baking sheet.
- Use a stand mixer (affiliate link) or a hand mixer (affiliate link) to combine the softened butter, Monkfruit Sweetener or sweeteners of your choice, salt, and vanilla.
- Then add the cocoa powder and almond flour and continue to mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Scoop out the dough with a metal tablespoon measuring spoon and roll with your hands to make 20 balls.
- Use a fork to mash down the balls and make the cookies the same size.
- Bake cookies for 30-35 minutes, or until the cookies feel lightly firm to the touch when you press with a finger. They will be somewhat soft until they cool.
- Cool a few minutes on the baking sheet, then slide the parchment paper off onto a cooling rack and let them cool longer, about 30 minutes total cooling time.
Notes
I have made this with Golden Monkfruit Sweetener and Classic Monkfruit Sweetener. I feel like Classic Monkfruit will dissolve a bit better in a recipe without much liquid, but either will work.
Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies were adapted from a cookie recipe from 500 More Low-Carb Recipes by Dana Carpender.
Nutrition Information
Yield
20Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 88Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 1mgSodium 32mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 2gSugar 1gProtein 3g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations. Sweetener is calculated as zero net carbs for nutritional information.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
The updated version of Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies with almond flour and Monkfruit Sweetener should be suitable for all low-carb diets. Cookies made with butter aren’t really approved for the original South Beach Diet (and almond flour is only for phases two or three) but I bet you could get a good result making these with an approved margarine if you’re strictly following South Beach. (Even if you use butter I don’t think this is that much of a splurge compared to other holiday cookies!)
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Desserts and Baking to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
A version of this chocolate shortbread cookie was posted in 2009! Since then the cookies have been update and improved several times when I discovered new sweeteners or switched from almond meal to almond flour. The recipe was last updated with more information in 2023.
51 Comments on “Flourless Sugar-Free Chocolate Shortbread Cookies”
Please don’t say things are flourless when they have flour in them. These may be gluten-free, but they have almond flour in them, hence calling them flourless is misleading.Â
Almond Flour is NOT flour. It is made of ground almonds. The name is meant to convey that it’s used the same as wheat flour in some recipes but it’s definitely not flour.
hello making cookies and reading comments. Has anyone added ground up or chopped pecans that low in carbs to recipe?
I have heard from readers who have put pecans into the Shortbread cookies. That sounds really good to me.
The T…is that teaspoon or tablespoons?
On all my recipe T = tablespoon and tsp. = teaspoon.
I can’t find the amounts of the ingredients anywhere. I looked at the video also. Help!
 This is for the Keto Shortbread cookies.
I promise you they ARE in every recipe post. These day Google wants recipe to have a list of ingredients and tips for making the recipe at the beginning (and if you want your recipe to be found by Google you have to do what they want, I am sorry to say.)
That is why almost every food blog now has a link that says JUMP TO RECIPE at the very top of the post, usually right under the title. All my recipes have that, and if you click that link it takes you directly to the complete recipe. I hope that helps, and that you enjoy the recipe.
If you’re looking for the Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies (without chocolate) just enter that title into the search bar on my site.
Love this recipe, I did half ground pecans and half ground almonds
And added a dollop of peanut butter
This recipe is a keeper  thank you so much
SerainaÂ
Thank you so much! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I discovered monkfruit sweetener about 2 years ago and have been converting recipes as my disabilities allow me time in the kitchen!
I’m looking for a couple of cookie doughs that are low carb, use monk fruit as the only sweetener and are sturdy enough to build 3D scenes with (but, still edible, ) for the holidays.
Do you think this recipe would work for that? I have used almond flour, also coconut flour, as well as mixing these with regular flour in breads and cakes, but have not ventured into cookies, yet.
I’ve also seen psyllium used as an ingredient to make almond flour “hold together” better; have you tried this? Thanks in advance for any advice you have time to share with me:)
Best,
April
Sorry I am slow to reply. I have houseguests this weekend so I am a bit distracted.
Unfortunately I am not that great at baking so I really can’t answer these questions for you. I haven’t used psyllium in baking or ever tried baking anything like you’re describing. I would recommend using Google to find a recipe like that.
I found the shortbread way too dry. Not sure why. However, I added a tablespoon or two of sugar free applesauce to the mixture! They turned out great and my boys loved them!
I am surprised, because we loved this cookie when we tested it. But glad you were able to make it work.
Interesting recipe. Can this be made without the chocolate poweder, I am not a fan of chocolate?
Truthfully I have no idea how that will turn out. I’d probably look for a different cookie, but it might just taste like a shortbread cookie. I just don’t know.
These look delicious! Great for a cookie swap, too.
Thanks Lydia!
Hi Kalyn
Happy Birthday from Canada. Â Will you please tell me the number of carbs in you delish chocolate cookies. Thanks loads and have a great birthday.
JoyceE
Hi Joyce,
I first posted this on my birthday years ago but it’s not until Saturday this year!
Since I switched my blog to WordPress I have spent over a year (with three assistants) inputting recipes by hand into the recipe plug-in format that is preferred by Google. Although I would eventually like to calculate nutritional information I can’t possibly start that until this project is finished.
There are numerous reasons I’m not easily able to provide nutritional information for the recipes. First, I already spend hours and hours on every recipe by the time I have tested it several times, taken photos, edited photos, and written the recipe. Second calculating that information accurately is difficult because it’s hard to tell what specific ingredients people will use or exactly how much they will eat. Third, (and the biggest consideration for me) there are over 2,000 recipes on this site. I know that once I do it on one recipe, people will expect to see it on every recipe, and I can’t possibly do that at this time. I give two links after the recipe itself (where it says “Nutritional Information”) for suggestion of how to get it. That’s all I can do at this time. Thanks for understanding.
I wish I were more of a cook than a baker. I think I would be a lot healthier! These cookies look delicious! I would definitely be grabbing them from the freezer every day!
Thanks Karen! I’ll never have the baking gene, I know that! But sometimes I do get a winner and then i have a hard time resisting them!
Did you notice that the temperature is only 300F? I haven't made these for quite a while but I looked back in my notebook where I jot down the recipe and it does say 40 minutes. Maybe start checking them a bit sooner than that if you're worried!
Tried this recipe and it was great! The almond flour gave the cookie a nice nutty flavor. The only trouble with this cookie is that I eat too many!
Amy, good to know that I'm not the only one who indulges in a little butter once in a while. I also don't eat it often, but in cookies I think it makes a lot of difference.
Susan, thanks! I do think your Christmas Cookies event is so fun!
Yumma-Yum-Yum! Delicious, chocolate-y, and good for you? Thank you, Kalyn! You have just made many people very happy! Thanks for the kind words about my event too! 🙂
Happy Birthday!! These cookies look fabulous.
I know South Beach isn't big on butter but I eat it with no problem at all. I don't eat tons of it but I do use it in my baking and cooking. I'm with you – enjoy it!!
Chelsea – I think you could sub flour for the almond flour. Instead of playing the guessing game (which takes some time!) I'd search for a sugar-free shortbread cookie. Just my two cents!
Chelsea, I don't have any idea how substituting flour for the almond meal would work, so I can't really answer that. All I can suggest is try it and see how it turns out.
Kalyn, these sound good, but I have a question. I found Almond meal at our Walmart but it costs over $9 for a small bag, so I was wondering if I used flour (these would be made for a diabetic, so just looking for low-sugar, not gluten-free), would I still use 2 cups? Thanks!
Happy Birthday Kalyn ! And congrats on the Oprah gig…the cookies sound like a great way to celebrate 🙂
Wow your birthday cookies look fantastic Kalyn, I'm very keen to give them a try. Many birthdays hugs to you and some for your Dad too! xx
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. My dad has been having a rather bad day today, so I actually haven't done too much birthday celebrating yet, but I've got a birthday lunch tomorrow and a birthday dinner on Thursday, so I'm definitely not being neglected!
My cookies, are gone, but they were really good!
Happy Birthday, Kalyn! Here's wishing you much laughter and love, friendship and good food in the coming year.
Your flourless cookies all look so good. I'm struggling to figure out which one to make.
These look great: I'll be trying them for sure. Congratulations on both the birthday and the Kitchen Aid! And, as always, thanks for these recipes. Your blog has become a real "go-to" source for me (and I'm sure, others). Oh – and congrats on the Oprah gig. Very nice!
Happy Birthday Kalyn! And how nice of you to give us a present with this recipe. 😉
Happiest of Birthdays to You!
Your food and you are both so delightful – so glad to have met you this year.
I wish you many more joyful years to come!
— Donna
Those look great! I have a lot of patients that will enjoy a sugar-free/gluten-free cookie recipe!
Oh happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!! and here you are giving US another gift! I appreciate you so much. 🙂 The cookies look faboulous and the plate does them justice. Can't wait to try them. Have a wonderful day!!!
happy birthday! and that plate is gorgeous! i can't wait to pass this and the pistachio cookie recipe on to my Celiac friend 🙂
Happy Birthday! What a great sugar free cookie! Wow – Oprah!
Happy Birthday, Kalyn! I'm so glad you are enjoying the plate. I am amazed that gluten-free shortbread cookies can look and sound so delicious. I am definitely going to make these for my mostly gluten-free dad.
I am still so excited for your Oprah gig, you are a superstar! The cookies look wonderful. I hope you have a happy happy birthday.
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and Oprah congratulations too. I woke up to tons of snow on my birthday, so now I'm trying to decide whether to go out in it, or just lay low and postpone the plans to another day! So wonderful to have the option though!
those look delicious! I'm excited to try them.
Happy birthday!
Oh, these look so yummy!
Happy Bday Kalyn! Treat yourself to an extra cookie….they look great!
Oprah.com… you hot hot thing you! And to say I knew you when…
Read the title, and I was reminded of a story… I got married in Jamaica. One of those resorts that takes care of everything, including the wedding cake. there is a three day waiting period that you have to be on the island prior to getting married. We kept seeing these beautiful wedding cakes, in the trash barely touched after people who arrived before us had their nuptuals.
Long story short, local custom is good luck to serve a flourless cake for a wedding…
There was a reason all those cakes were in the trash…
BUT, as a cookie, these sound wonderful. I think it was more the expectation (they looked wonderful) of the cake.
And OPRAH… you ROCK!
kalyn ,I hope your birthday was as good as your cookies…thank you for all your great recipes I'm enjoying them one at a time!!!
I want to give these cookies a try- but I'm frightened I might eat them all!
Georgie Fear RD
www.askgeorgie.com
Whoa! Christmas cookies WILL be mine after all! THANK YOU. This looks fantastic.
And birthday cheers!
— Anne
Kalyn, these cookies sound like a *wonderful* present for yourself and everyone who reads this recipe. Happy happy birthday to you!
Maura in Charlotte, NC