Shortbread vs Gingerbread: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Shortbread has 4.9 g of protein and 542 calories, while Gingerbread has 3.9 g of protein and 356 calories. Therefore, Shortbread is higher in protein and calories.

Shortbread and Gingerbread are popular baked goods with unique flavors and textures. This comparison highlights their nutritional differences to inform dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Shortbread and Gingerbread?

Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit made primarily from butter, sugar, and flour. It is known for its rich, buttery flavor and crumbly texture. Gingerbread is a spiced cookie or cake typically made with ginger, molasses, and various spices. It is often associated with holiday baking and has a soft, chewy texture.

Shortbread vs Gingerbread: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Shortbread and Gingerbread, detailing their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Shortbread	Gingerbread
Calories	542 kcal	356 kcal
Protein	4.9 g	3.9 g
Carbs	58.3 g	49.2 g
Sugar	22 g	30 g
Fat	32.5 g	16.4 g
Fiber	1.8 g	0.9 g
Sodium	281 mg	327 mg

Which Is Better, Shortbread or Gingerbread?

For weight loss: Gingerbread has 356 calories, which is 186 calories less than Shortbread's 542 calories, making it a better option for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Shortbread contains 4.9 g of protein, which is 1 g more than Gingerbread's 3.9 g, making it a better choice for muscle support.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Shortbread has 58.3 g of carbs and 22 g of sugar, while Gingerbread has 49.2 g of carbs and 30 g of sugar, making Gingerbread lower in both categories.

How to Track Shortbread and Gingerbread Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easy to misjudge, impacting dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Shortbread has 4.9 g of protein, while Gingerbread has 3.9 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Gingerbread has 356 calories, while Shortbread has 542 calories.

What is the sugar content in Shortbread?

Shortbread contains 22 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the fat content in Gingerbread?

Gingerbread contains 16.4 g of fat per 100 g.

How much fiber is in Shortbread?

Shortbread contains 1.8 g of fiber per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in both?

Shortbread has 281 mg of sodium, while Gingerbread has 327 mg of sodium.

Key Takeaways

• Shortbread has 542 calories per 100 g.
• Gingerbread has 356 calories per 100 g.
• Shortbread contains 4.9 g of protein per 100 g.
• Gingerbread contains 3.9 g of protein per 100 g.
• Shortbread has 58.3 g of carbs per 100 g.
• Gingerbread has 49.2 g of carbs per 100 g.