Description
Heart Jam Cookies: Buttery shortbread cookies filled with sweet jam, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any time you need a delicious treat! Delivery: Focus on key ingredients and cooking style to attract readers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup (135g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ⅓ cup (110g) fruit jam of choice (raspberry and strawberry work beautifully)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (about 2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough Begin by combining the flour and salt in a medium bowl, whisking briefly to integrate. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Don’t rush this step—proper creaming incorporates air that gives your **Heart Jam Cookies** their tender texture. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and beat until completely incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Gradually add the flour mixture on low speed, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Step 2: Chill the Dough Divide the dough into two equal portions and form each into a flat disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. This chilling time is crucial for developing flavor and ensuring your **Heart Jam Cookies** hold their shape during baking. If you’re in a hurry, you can place the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes, but refrigeration yields better results.
- Step 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove one dough disc from the refrigerator and let it stand for 5-10 minutes until slightly softened. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 2½ inches wide), cut out as many hearts as possible. Transfer these hearts to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Gather and re-roll scraps once to cut additional cookies.
- Step 4: Create Centers and Fill with Jam Using a smaller heart-shaped cutter (about 1 inch wide), cut centers from half of the cookies to create frames. If you don’t have a smaller cutter, you can use a knife to carefully cut out a heart shape. Return the cut-out cookies to the baking sheet. Place about ½ teaspoon of your chosen jam in the center of each solid heart cookie, spreading it slightly but leaving a ¼-inch border around the edge. Don’t overfill, as the jam will spread during baking.
- Step 5: Bake and Finish Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown. The cookies should remain mostly pale. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust the cut-out cookies with powdered sugar, then gently place them on top of the jam-filled cookies to create your beautiful **Heart Jam Cookies**. Let them set for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the jam to fully set.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg