Description
Delight in these charming Heart Jam Cookies, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Featuring buttery, tender cookies sandwiched with sweet raspberry or strawberry jam, these European-inspired treats combine a delicate texture with a burst of fruity flavor. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
Optional
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together using an electric mixer or by hand until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to ensure even distribution of the salt.
- Form the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a flat disc, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step firms up the dough and makes it easier to roll out.
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll and cut cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. For half of these cookies, use a smaller heart cutter to cut out the centers, creating “window” tops.
- Arrange and bake: Transfer all cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling.
- Assemble sandwich cookies: Spread a small spoonful of your chosen jam on the flat side of each whole cookie. Top with a cutout cookie to form a sandwich. If desired, dust the assembled cookies with extra powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Notes
- Chill the dough again if it becomes too soft to handle during rolling.
- Use any flavor of seedless jam you prefer; avoid jams that are too runny to prevent soggy cookies.
- Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
