Gluten-Free Greek Almond Cookies
Crisp on the outside, chewy in the middle, these gluten-free Greek almond cookies are a simple treat with big flavour. Made with just a handful of ingredients, they’re naturally gluten-free, perfect for holidays or everyday baking, and sure to become a favourite with coffee or tea.
My husband and I belong to a dinner club with eight other couples, and every 6-8 weeks we gather for a themed meal at someone’s home. The most recent get-together was Greek night, and lucky for me, it was my turn to bring dessert—always my favourite course!
We have two people in our group who eat gluten-free, and one more who doesn’t eat dairy with the exception of butter. It poses a few challenges when it comes to dessert, but I was able to find the perfect Greek-inspired cookie recipe (known as kourabiethes or kourabiedes) that met the dietary requirements.
Served with a mixed fruit platter and dip, these cookies turned out to be a huge hit!
Gluten-Free Cookies You’ll Crave Again and Again
This delicious cookie recipe is similar to traditional shortbread with the added factor of an almondy-crunch. I love the crispness of the outside combined with the softer middle. Totally divine and gluten-free!
They remind me of another tasty cookie I make around the holidays, Mexican Wedding Cakes. Have you tried them? So tasty!
Of course, I had to bake a few extras for sampling. I even popped a batch into the freezer to enjoy down the road when I’m craving a little something.
Now that I’m eating gluten-free, it’s nice to have cookies I can eat on hand (or is it? ha ha).
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Gluten-Free Almond Cookies
Ingredients
- butter
- confectioner’s sugar
- vanilla extract
- egg yolk
- brown rice flour
- white rice flour
- sorghum flour
- potato starch (or tapioca flour)
- finely ground almond flour
- xanthan gum
- baking powder
- pinch sea salt
- almonds, coarsely chopped
Not sure where to find some these ingredients? Many grocery stores have them in their specialty aisle. In Canada, Bulk Barn and Nutters are good sources. As well, you can order items on Amazon for home delivery.
The full list of ingredient measurements, plus baking details are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Directions
- Beat butter and confectioner’s sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg yolk, and beat one more minute.
- Mix in both rice flours, sorghum flour, potato starch, almond flour, xanthan gum, baking powder and sea salt until combined. Wrap and refrigerate dough for at least one hour.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and preheat oven to 350°F. Roll into balls (approximately 1¼”) and then roll in confectioner’s sugar, dusting off the excess. Place a small amount of almonds on top and press down lightly.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies begin to turn golden on the bottom and slightly around the edges. Cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.
Almond Cookie Revisions and Tips
Yes! You can substitute tapioca flour for potato starch with good results. For the rice flour, you can use all brown or all white, but keep in mind it will change the texture. A half-and-half mix of brown and white rice flour gives the best balance. (I have not tried these cookies with regular all-purpose flour.)
Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, place the cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Remove 15 minutes before you’re ready to bake. This makes entertaining or holiday prep much easier.
Know of any other gluten-free Greek desserts? I’d love to try another recipe out!
Pin these delicious gluten-free Greek almond cookies for later!
Gluten-Free Greek Almond Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1½ cups confectioner’s sugar plus more for rolling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ cup brown rice flour
- ½ cup white rice flour
- ½ cup sorghum flour
- ½ cup potato starch
- 1⅓ cups finely ground almond flour
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch sea salt
- ¼ cup almonds coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Beat butter and confectioner’s sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg yolk, and beat one more minute.
- Mix in both rice flours, sorghum flour, potato starch, almond flour, xanthan gum, baking powder and sea salt until combined. Wrap and refrigerate dough for at least one hour.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and preheat oven to 350°F. Roll into balls (approximately 1¼") and then roll in confectioner's sugar, dusting off the excess. Place a small amount of almonds on top and press down lightly.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies begin to turn golden on the bottom and slightly around the edges. Cool on baking sheet for about 2 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
Adapted from Girl Cooks World
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Happy baking!
This gluten-free Greek almond cookie recipe was originally posted March 2013. Updated with fresh ideas and photos.
Having celiac disease I’m always looking for new recipes! Thanks for sharing! looks yummy!
These look delicious!
Debbie :)
Your dinner club sounds like fun and your cookies look oh so good!
YUM! Where do you find Sorghum flour? A place like Planet Organic? Or can you buy it at the regular grocery store?
I found it at Bulk Barn, but it would be available at most health food or alternative food stores (along with many of the other ingredients in this recipe).
Look so good. they would go perfectly with the cup of tea I’m sipping!
My mom is gluten-free and would love these cookies.
i’ll definitely be passing this recipe on to my step-sister as she finds it a challenge to be creative in the kitchen with a 7-year old who can’t eat gluten.
Just got back last night from Mexico. Can’t wait to start my Kitchen Refresh “soon”. I’ll be in touch.
Besos Sarah, Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
So glad to hear you’re back! How was your winter? Can’t wait to see your kitchen facelift. Keep me posted for sure!
These look so delicious, and gluten free, even better! Think I better pin this one!! :-)
THEY look amazing, honestly my mouth was watering!!! I pinned to my group board, has about 11k followers, so you may just have a bit more traffic… ;) seriously they look amazing!
Laurie @ Vin’yet Etc.
Thanks for the share!
Thanks a bunch Laurie!
These sound delicious! thanks so much for sharing!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
They look yumilicious, I have never been into the watch of ‘gluten-free’ but this makes me wanna try them.