Description
Heart Jam Cookies are a charming and delicious treat perfect for any special occasion. These buttery, shortbread-like cookies are shaped into hearts and filled with sweet, fruity jam for a pop of flavor and color. With their delicate texture and vibrant centers, they’re a delightful way to show love, whether for Valentine’s Day, a wedding favor, or simply to brighten someone’s day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup fruit jam (strawberry, raspberry, or your favorite flavor)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Ingredient Highlights
- Butter: The base of these cookies, butter gives them a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Jam: The star of the show! Choose a vibrant, flavorful jam for the filling to make your cookies stand out.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle sweetness and warmth to the dough.
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
Shape and Bake
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut Out Hearts: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. For half of the hearts, use a smaller heart cutter to create a “window” in the center.
- Bake: Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely.
Assemble the Cookies
- Add Jam: Spread a small amount of jam onto the full heart-shaped cookies.
- Top with Cut-Outs: Gently press the cookies with the heart-shaped windows on top of the jam-covered cookies.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly sprinkle powdered sugar over the assembled cookies for a decorative touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chilling Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 1g