Try this Low carb raspberry Linzer cookie bars - gluten free recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Low carb raspberry Linzer cookie bars - gluten free recipe, or contribute your own.
Almond flour lacks gluten, meaning it has zero natural elasticity to hold structural shapes under pressure. Without a binding agent, the mixture crumbles completely when pressed into an eight-by-eight-inch baking pan. Adding xanthan gum bridges this structural gap by mimicking gluten's elasticity, though measuring it precisely prevents a gummy texture. Stirring melted butter thoroughly into the almond flour creates a paste that mimics traditional shortbread dough.
Sugar-free preserves contain higher moisture levels than traditional jams, threatening to turn the crust into mush. Whisking a quarter teaspoon of xanthan gum directly into the preserves thickens the fruit puree and prevents boiling over during the bake. Spreading this mixture evenly leaves a small border around the edges to prevent burning against the parchment paper.
Cutting warm almond flour bars results in structural collapse because fats remain melted and soft. Baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for thirty minutes achieves a deep golden brown perimeter, but cooling completely on a wire rack allows the butter and starches to solidify properly before slicing into two-inch squares.