Cardamom Orange Paleo Shortbread Cookies
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
2 hrs 10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs 25 mins
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Servings
15 cookies
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Calories
172 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Cardamom Orange Paleo Shortbread Cookies
Description
The Cardamom Orange Paleo Shortbread Cookies are crafted from almond flour, coconut sugar, and coconut oil, giving a naturally grain-free and mildly sweet base. The addition of freshly grated orange zest and juice along with ground cardamom infuses subtle citrus and spice flavors. The dough is chilled into a firm cylinder, then sliced and baked until the edges turn golden brown, ensuring a delicately crumbly shortbread texture that holds together well after a brief cooling period.
These cookies take on further richness when coated with a spiced chocolate layer. Depending on dietary preference, either dark chocolate chips with cardamom and orange extract or a paleo chocolate coating made from cocoa powder, coconut oil, and maple syrup is used to finish the cookies with a smooth, slightly spiced glaze. This adds a contrasting texture and enhances the flavor complexity.
The method emphasizes chilling the dough to make slicing easier and allowing baked cookies to cool fully so they set properly. These shortbread cookies pair nicely as a snack or a lightly sweet treat to accompany tea or coffee.
The recipe provides flexibility with chocolate options and encourages using pure vanilla and fresh orange components to maximize flavor quality.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp salt sea salt
- 1/3 cup coconut oil melted and cooled
- 1 tsp vanilla extract pure
- navel orange about 2 to 3 tsp, zest of 1
- 1 Tbsp orange juice fresh
Chocolate Coating (Chocolate Chip Option):
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil or butter
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp orange extract optional, pure
Chocolate Coating (Paleo Option):
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder or raw cacao powder, unsweetened
- 1/3 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or liquid sweetener of choice, pure
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp orange extract optional, pure
Instructions
- Stir together all of the ingredients for the shortbread cookies in a mixing bowl until well combined and a thick, sticky dough forms. Use your hands to form a cylinder out of the cookie dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least two hours, until dough hardens.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly spray a large baking sheet with cooking oil. Remove the plastic wrap from the shortbread dough and place on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut dough into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick rounds. Place dough rounds on the prepared baking sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes, until cookies are golden-brown around the edges.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to sit untouched at least 15 minutes - this process ensures the cookies will set up and hold together (If you don't allow cookies to cool, they will fall apart).
- While cookies are cooling, prepare the chocolate coating (use either recipe depending on your dietary restrictions). Add the ingredients for the chocolate coating to a small skillet and heat to medium, stirring frequently, until chocolate chips have melted completely. (Note: if you choose to prepare the paleo chocolate coating, allow the mixture to cool 5 to 10 minutes, stirring every couple minutes, until mixture thickens.). Use a spoon to drizzle chocolate over 1/2 the surface of each cookie. Place bake on the cookie sheet until chocolate has hardened. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use vegan chocolate chips if you want to keep the recipe dairy-free.
- Ensure the dough is well chilled before slicing to achieve neat cookie rounds.
- Allow cookies to cool fully after baking to help them firm up and prevent crumbling.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 15cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 172 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Cookie | |
| Calories | 172kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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