There's nothing quite like the crumbly goodness of this traditional Scottish treat. But if you've recently started following a vegan diet by choice or for dietary restrictions, you may be wondering: is shortbread vegan? Well, we've got the answers you're after.
Thought to originate all the way back to the 1300s, we've been whipping up and baking shortbread for centuries. Traditionally, it's made with just three simple ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour.
But as our capabilities to cater to different dietary needs and preferences have evolved, so have our recipes.
While classic shortbread recipes still use butter, there are now plenty of vegan alternatives available as well – just like our Vegan Scottish Shortbread and chocolate chip version!
Is Shortbread Vegan?
So to answer the question – yes, shortbread can indeed be made vegan. With a few simple substitutions and tweaks to traditional recipes, you can enjoy this classic treat without sacrificing your dietary choices or intolerances.
It's important to look out for products that clearly state they are vegan-friendly, as regular shortbread is not suitable for those following a vegan diet.
Is it Suitable for Vegetarians?
'Normal' shortbread is typically suitable for vegetarians, as it does not contain any meat products.
However, some may include ingredients like lard or animal-derived butter, so it's important to check the label or recipe before consuming.
Does Shortbread Contain Dairy?
Since traditional recipes contain butter, they aren't dairy-free. Also, some biscuits may contain chocolate chips or other flavourings that contain dairy.
What is in Vegan Shortbread?
As to what makes vegan shortbread different from traditional shortbread, it's all about the ingredients. Instead of using butter derived from animal products, vegan shortbread recipes typically use plant-based butter or oils.
In our Vegan Scottish Shortbread recipe, we use rapeseed oil instead of butter and an emulsifier to help bind the ingredients together. It still has that same 'buttery', crumbly texture that you love in traditional shortbread, but it's completely plant-based and suitable for vegans.
We also use gluten-free oat flour as opposed to regular wheat flour, and everything is baked by our team on a nut-free site in our bespoke bakery.
Our Vegan Choc Chip Shortbread biscuits follow the same recipe, but we've added a scrummy twist with the addition of dairy-free Belgian dark chocolate chips.
Both of our shortbread cookies are also suitable for vegetarians, as they contain no animal products whatsoever.
Our Shortbread Ingredients
| Vegan Scottish Shortbread | Vegan Choc Chip Shortbread |
|---|---|
| Cornflour, Gluten Free Oat Flour, Sugar, Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Water, Dextrose, Salt, Flavourings, Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Colours (Carotenes, Annatto, Curcumin) | Cornflour, Gluten Free Oat Flour, Sugar, Palm Oil, Belgian Dark Chocolate Chips (11%) [Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithins), Flavouring], Rapeseed Oil, Water, Dextrose, Salt, Flavourings, Emulsifier (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Colours (Carotenes, Annatto, Curcumin) |
Where to Buy Vegan Shortbread
If you're looking to try out our delicious Vegan Scottish Shortbread and Vegan Choc Chip Shortbread, you can find them right here! They're available to purchase directly from our online shop with delivery straight to your home.
You'll also spot them in select garden centres and health stores across the UK!
We only use the best-quality ingredients, carefully sourced to ensure top-tasting, feel-good, free-from treats. Our bakers have worked hard to perfect the recipe so that each biscuit tastes just as good – if not even better – than the traditional version.
Choose our 150g sharing boxes (containing 8 cookies), or grab our individually wrapped pack of 12 38g cookies for a quick snack on the go. They're brilliant for tucking into lunchboxes for children and adults, taking on picnics or lunches out, and stacking up your biscuit cupboard at home.
We even have a Scottish Mini Shortbread Gift Tin containing miniature rounds of our Vegan Scottish Shortbread, making it the perfect gift for friends and loved ones.
All orders will be dispatched within 3 to 5 days from the date of purchase, so you can have your delicious treats in no time! Plus, we offer free UK delivery on orders over £34.
Order our vegan shortbread and try it for yourself – you won't be disappointed!
FAQs
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Shortbread is traditionally made using butter, sugar, and flour. Other ingredients and flavours can be added, like chocolate chips, vanilla, and caramel. Free-from shortbread biscuits are made using alternative ingredients, like the gluten-free oat flour and rapeseed oil in our recipes.
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Traditional shortbread recipes don't contain eggs, as they rely on butter or plant-based alternatives to bind the ingredients together.
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Yes! Our Vegan Scottish Shortbread and Choc Chip Shortbread is deliciously vegan, made using plant-based ingredients and free from dairy, eggs, and gluten. You can order our boxes of shortbread online and have them delivered straight to your door.
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Scottish shortbread biscuit recipes are 'unleavened', meaning they don't use any rising agents like yeast or baking powder. It also typically has a higher butter (or alternative) content, giving it a richer and crumblier texture. Normal shortbread, on the other hand, may use baking powder or other leavening agents and often has a lower butter content.
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Instead of using butter in shortbread, you can use plant-based oils like olive oil, rapeseed oil, vegetable oil and coconut oil, or vegan butter. They act as a great substitute for butter and still produce a delicious and crumbly shortbread.