Spirited and Then Some

A food blog with hundreds of delicious gluten-free and dairy-free recipes.

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
  • Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Photography Resources
    • Teacher Resources
  • Blog
  • RSS
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Christmas Desserts Recipes

Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Soft, buttery, and soy-free, these vegan Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars are made with just six base ingredients and are ready in 30 minutes! Add your own flavorings or enjoy as is! These bars are a popular treat in our house, and we suspect they’ll be popular in yours, too! {Gluten-Free + Soy-Free + Vegan}

Hold the phone and shut the front door! Because today in the Spirited kitchen we have Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars. Unlike some shortbread recipes that turn out dry and flaky, these shortbreads turn out soft and buttery and downright satisfying. They are made with allergen-friendly butter, gluten-free baking flour, and your choice of flavorings. I was surprised by how delicious Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars turned out, given how simple the ingredient list is. There’s nothing parched, bland, or boring about them!

In fact, this recipe is so easy, we’ve made several batches inside of three days. The girls go absolutely nuts for them. So much so, we make these Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars for holidays, special occasions, and because we’re in the mood for a snack.

Here’s the thing about these shortbread bars: You know how sometimes you make cookies and once you’ve prepped the batter, you’re too tired to bake it and would rather eat it instead? Well, shortbread bars are so easy to make, there’s no mid-recipe fatigue. First, blend everything together, next spread the dough into the pan, and then bake. After that, set them on the counter to cool. Last, but certainly not least, enjoy! The recipe is as simple as that. 

Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars are

  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Soy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Quick prep and quick baking times
  • Easy to customize for a variety of flavors

This simple baked good recipe is super-easy to make on a short timeframe! It’s frequently my go-to recipe, not only during the holidays but throughout the year as well.

If you’re ready to make your own Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars, then keep on reading and get ready for some deliciousness! 

Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars ingredients

  • Allergen-friendly buttery spread. I use Earth Balance Soy-Free Buttery Spread (in the tub). I have not tried this recipe with ghee, however that’s another option.
  • Confectioners’ sugar. In addition to the amount added to the dough, reserve extra for sprinkling on the top of the baked bars, if desired.
  • Gluten-free flour. The key to baking with gluten-free flour is to select a brand with a flavor you like. Since not all gluten-free flours taste the same, this process can be trial and error. I like Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour (not a paid mention).
  • Baking powder and sea salt
  • Water. Add a tablespoon at a time, blending in between each addition, if the dough is too crumbly.
  • Optional: Add your favorite flavors. Vanilla, lemon, and almond extracts complement the sweet cookie flavor. If only adding a splash of flavoring (a teaspoon or less), then you shouldn’t need to adjust the other ingredients.
  • Toppings: If the bars are still warm, consider adding a few pieces of frozen fruit to each serving. The warm-frozen combo is delightful to the tastebuds. Additionally, consider drizzling melted chocolate over the top of the bars once they are done baking. For a thinner chocolate that’s easy to drizzle, add a small dollop of coconut oil to the chocolate chips before melting them.

These shortbreads are sweet and delicious just as they are. But there are lots of ways to change up your shortbread bars, if you’re in the mood to try! Fresh fruit is an excellent option and perfect for savoring seasonal flavors no matter when you bake a batch!

Variations and troubleshooting

  • Add flavors. Vanilla, lemon, or almond extracts boost the flavor of these shortbread bars. If adding a teaspoon or less, you shouldn’t need to adjust the other ingredients.
  • When the dough comes out crumbly: Add a splash of water.
  • When the dough comes out to soft: Sprinkle in more flour and cream the ingredients together again.

NOTE: The dough will not spread during the baking process. The way it goes into the oven is most likely the way it will come out. So it’s a good idea to try to spread the dough as evenly around the pan as possible. The dough will also continue to cook even after it comes out of the oven. I find the 20-minute mark is almost perfect. 

Bars, bars, and more bars!

  • Cranberry Pecan Cookie Bars
  • Chocolate Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars
  • Mixed Berry Fruit Bars
  • Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
  • No-Bake Paleo Chocolate Chip Coconut Bars

This recipe is adapted from Jane Hodge’s Scotch Shortbread Bars in Best of Country Cookies (1999).

Friends, I hope this recipe finds you well. Take care of yourselves, stay safe, and know, as always, I’m glad you’re here. ❤️

Print

Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars

Print Recipe

Soft, buttery, and soy-free, these vegan Gluten-Free Shortbread Bars are made with just six based ingredients and are ready in 30 minutes! Add your own flavorings or enjoy as is! These bars are a popular treat in our house, and we suspect they’ll be popular in yours, too! {Gluten-Free + Soy-Free + Vegan}

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Category: Baked Goods
  • Method: Baking
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup allergen-friendly spread (I like Earth Balance Soy-Free Buttery Spread – tub version)
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 cups gluten-free baking flour (I like Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour)
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1–2 tablespoons water
  • Vanilla, almond, or lemon extracts, optional

Instructions

  1. Set oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×9 baking dish and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside.
  3. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream the butter for 30 seconds on a LOW to MEDIUM speed. Add the confectioners’ sugar to the butter and blend until combined. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, continuing to blend on a LOW to MEDIUM speed. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water, blending in between each addition, and then add any flavorings, as desired. Spread the dough into the greased pan.
  4. Bake for about 18-22 minutes or until desired level of doneness is achieved.
  5. Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for two to three days.

    Notes

    • Add flavors. Think vanilla, lemon, or almond extracts to change the flavor. If adding a teaspoon or less, you shouldn’t need to adjust the other ingredients. Drizzle with melted chocolate or add fresh or (if the bars are still warm) frozen fruit. So delicious!
    • When the dough comes out crumbly: Add a splash of water.
    • When the dough comes out to soft: Sprinkle in more flour and cream the ingredients together again.
    • The dough will not spread during the baking process. So it’s a good idea to spread the dough in the pan as evenly as possible. 

      Did you make this recipe?

      Tag @SpiritedMorgan on Instagram and hashtag it #SpiritedRecipes

      Hodge, Jane. “Scotch Shortbread Bars.” Recipe. Best of Country Cookies. Ed. Julie Schnittka. Greendale, WI:Reiman Publications, LLC., 1999. 86. Print.

      You May Also Enjoy These Posts...

      Caper Spinach Salad
      Blackberry Lemon Sparkling Water
      Loaded Apple Breakfast Nachos
      Paleo Pumpkin Pie Dip

      Christmas Desserts Recipes


      Leave a Comment

      About Spirited and then Some

      I'm Morgan. A spirited, social chatterbox, small biz owner, and teacher. Lover of all things food. Think dip. Lover of all things family. Think K-Hubs, Toodlebug, and Twinkleberry. I'm so glad you found our spirited community.... Click Here to Read More

      « 2019 Spirited Thanksgiving Menu
      Cinnamon Orange Tea »

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      Greetings!

      I'm Morgan. A spirited, social chatterbox, small biz owner, and teacher. Lover of all things food. Think dip. Lover of all things family. Think K-Hubs, Toodlebug, and Twinkleberry. I'm so glad you found our spirited community. Learn more…

      Take a Stroll

      my foodgawker gallery  my finding vegan gallery  
      View my Tasty Kitchen Profile

      Recent Posts

      • Rustic Farmhouse Classroom Decor
      • Apple Slice Charcuterie Board
      • Chocolate-Drizzled Matcha Energy Bites
      • How to Make Cauliflower Rice
      • Creamy Avocado Garlic Quinoa Bowls
      • Matcha Mango Smoothie

      Categories

      As Seen On

      Pure Wow logo
      Red Tricycle Logo
      Yahoo! Lifestyle logo
      Mom and daughters in front of Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas! | spiritedandthensome.com

      Family

      How to make 3-ingredient Fluffy Slime without borax! | spiritedandthensome.com

      Kids’ Activities

      Spirited Learning

      • About Us
      • Blog
      • Recipes
      • Family
      • Kids’ Activities
      • Resources
      • Photography Tips
      • Blogging Tips
      • Free Course
      • Privacy Policy

      Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

      This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
      Privacy & Cookies Policy

      Privacy Overview

      This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
      Necessary
      Always Enabled
      Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
      Non-necessary
      Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
      SAVE & ACCEPT