Introduction:
If you’re craving a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treat, Jam-Filled Butter Cookies are the perfect solution. These delectable cookies boast a buttery, tender texture and are filled with a burst of fruity jam in the center. They’re perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a holiday celebration, a casual afternoon tea, or just a moment of indulgence during your day. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Keep reading to discover how to make these delightful cookies, which are both simple and elegant!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Timeless Appeal: These buttery cookies, with their sweet fruit jam center, are a true classic.
- Endlessly Customizable: Choose from a variety of jams or fruit preserves to suit your taste.
- Simple and Quick: Minimal effort is needed to create these delightful cookies.
- Fun for Kids: A fantastic recipe for getting children involved in baking.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are not only delicious but also make an eye-catching gift.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Softened unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Your favorite fruit jam (such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
Begin by creaming together softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Once combined, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until they’re fully incorporated into the dough. Gradually add in the flour and salt, continuing to mix until the dough becomes soft and cohesive. - Chill the Dough:
Once the dough is prepared, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. - Shape the Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Once the dough is chilled, roll it into 1-inch balls and arrange them on the baking sheets, ensuring they’re spaced about 2 inches apart. To create the signature indentation, press gently in the center of each dough ball using your thumb or the back of a spoon. - Fill with Jam:
Using a small spoon, carefully add a dollop of jam into each indentation. Be cautious not to overfill, as the jam can spill over during baking. - Bake the Cookies:
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Optional Decoration:
For a delicate finish, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar, adding an elegant touch to these already beautiful treats.
Servings and Timing:
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
Variations:
- Nutty Flavor: For an extra layer of flavor, try adding finely ground almonds or hazelnuts to the dough.
- Gluten-Free Version: Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free alternative.
- Chocolate Twist: For chocolate lovers, replace the jam with Nutella or a decadent chocolate ganache.
- Citrus Infusion: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough for a refreshing citrus flavor.
- Spiced Version: For a cozy, spiced twist, incorporate a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough.
Storage/Reheating:
- Storage: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the unbaked dough balls (without jam) for up to 3 months. Thaw them, press the indentations, and fill with jam before baking.
- Reheating: These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, and they do not need to be reheated.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use store-bought jam?
Yes, store-bought jam works perfectly for this recipe. You can choose any flavor you like, making this recipe as convenient as it is delicious. - How can I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?
To maintain the shape of your cookies, ensure the dough is chilled thoroughly before baking. This step is essential for the cookies to hold their shape. - Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but be sure to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe to keep the flavor balanced. - What’s the best way to fill the cookies neatly with jam?
For precise filling, use a small spoon or a piping bag to control the amount of jam you add to each cookie. This will help avoid overfilling and prevent any jam from spilling over. - Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough the day before you plan to bake and refrigerate it until you’re ready to shape and bake the cookies. - How do I stop the jam from bubbling over during baking?
To prevent the jam from spilling over, be careful not to overfill the indentations in the dough. Additionally, using thicker jam or preserves can help reduce the chances of bubbling over. - Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Yes! Adding a few drops of food coloring can create festive cookies, perfect for holidays or special occasions. - What’s the best way to shape the indentations in the dough?
Use your thumb, a teaspoon, or a small measuring spoon to create uniform indentations. This will ensure that the cookies bake evenly and look professional. - Can I double the recipe to make more cookies?
Absolutely! If you want to make a larger batch, simply double the ingredients. However, be sure to bake the cookies in separate batches to prevent overcrowding the oven. - Are these cookies good for gifting?
Yes, these Jam-Filled Butter Cookies make a wonderful gift. Pack them in decorative tins or boxes for a thoughtful and delicious present.
Conclusion:
The Jam-Filled Butter Cookies are the perfect combination of buttery goodness and fruity sweetness. They’re easy to make, highly customizable, and are sure to be a hit at any occasion. Whether you’re baking them for a special event, as a treat to share with loved ones, or just as a sweet indulgence for yourself, these cookies are an absolute delight. Give this recipe a try and create a batch of these irresistible cookies today! You’ll be glad you did.
By following these detailed steps, you’ll end up with delicious, melt-in-your-mouth jam-filled cookies that everyone will love. Happy baking!
Jam-Filled Butter Cookies
These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are filled with your favorite fruit jam. Simple to make and perfect for any occasion, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser that can easily be customized with different jams or even chocolate!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup your favorite fruit jam (e.g., raspberry, strawberry, apricot)
- powdered sugar optional for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to press an indentation into the center of each ball.
- Spoon a small amount of jam into each indentation, being careful not to overfill.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a decorative finish.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookiesCalories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 30mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6g
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