simplequietmodern

Santa has been making his annual rounds for centuries with each stop providing a few carrots for the reindeer and a plate of festive cookies for the big guy. That’s a lot of sugar and a lot of carbs. Would Santa appreciate a treat that was a bit healthier? I think he would. Enter the Three Ingredient Shortbread , gluten free with no refined sugar. Tossed together quickly with butter, almond flour and maple syrup they will be done by the time that last favorite ornament is hung and your first Christmas Eve Manhattan is poured. Santa’s going to push you to the top of the Nice List for sure.

G’s Three Ingredient Shortbread

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix together 1 1/2 cups of fine almond flour and 1/2 stick of softened unsalted butter. Add 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, a couple good pinches of kosher salt and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Cream all together with a wooden spoon until a dough comes together. If the dough seems dry, add an additional bit of maple syrup and if too moist, add a bit of almond flour. Roll a tablespoon of dough into a ball and place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Sprinkle the tops with a pinch of turbinado sugar if desired and flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass. Bake on center rack of oven for 12-15 minutes. Check the bottom of a cookie at 12 minutes. If it’s browning, take them out. The cookies will be pale even if the bottoms have color. Cool on the tray for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack to avoid breaking. Makes 10 cookies.

photos: gp