If you’re looking for a delightful treat that combines buttery richness with a burst of fruity sweetness, then this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe is absolutely for you. These charming little sandwich cookies feature delicate, tender dough baked to golden perfection, hosting a luscious layer of raspberry or strawberry jam at their center. Perfect for sharing at Valentine’s Day, cozy afternoons with tea, or whenever the craving for something sweet hits, these cookies bring warmth and joy in every bite. Trust me, once you try this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe, you’ll keep coming back for more!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started on this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe is a breeze with just a handful of simple ingredients. Each plays a crucial role: the butter and powdered sugar create a luxuriously soft dough, while the jam adds that irresistible fruity pop of flavor and color that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Ensures the dough is tender and rich without adding extra saltiness.
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve the perfect crumbly texture.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together for structure and moisture.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic depth to the cookie dough.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough, providing body and density.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- 1/2 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam: Offers the star ingredient’s sweet-tart filling without seeds for smoothness.
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting (optional): Adds a pretty, snow-kissed finish to the cookies.
How to Make Heart Jam Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Begin by creaming the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture in the final cookie. The sugar helps aerate the butter, giving the dough a delicate crumb that will bake up beautifully.
Step 2: Incorporate Egg and Vanilla
Next, beat in the egg along with the vanilla extract until everything is fully blended. The egg adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together, while vanilla enhances all those warm buttery notes that make these cookies truly delightful.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour and salt together. Mixing the dry ingredients before adding them to the wet ensures an even distribution of salt and prevents clumps, which means your dough will be smooth and uniform.
Step 4: Form the Dough
Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be gentle here to avoid overworking it — the goal is a tender, delicate dough ready to be chilled and rolled out.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide your dough in half, shape each into a disc, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut clean shapes without sticking or losing definition.
Step 6: Prepare and Cut Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your cookies. For half of these, employ a smaller heart cutter to create a cute “window” in the center, which will show off the jam inside beautifully.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Place all the cookie shapes on your prepared pans and bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake — you want a slight crunch on the edges but a tender bite overall. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Step 8: Assemble the Heart Jam Cookies
Once cooled, spread a small spoonful of your choice of seedless jam on the flat side of each whole cookie and gently sandwich with the window-cut cookies. For an optional final touch, dust the cookie tops with powdered sugar to evoke a charming, festive look.
How to Serve Heart Jam Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies look stunning with just a light dusting of powdered sugar, but for extra flair, you can place edible flower petals or a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios around the edges. This adds a pop of color and an elegant touch to your presentation that friends and family will adore.
Side Dishes
Heart Jam Cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea, a rich coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a playful dessert experience. If it’s the holidays, serve them alongside mulled wine or cider for an elevated seasonal treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging these cookie sandwiches in a layered glass jar or a vintage tin tied with a rustic ribbon—perfect for gifting. Alternatively, serve them on a charming wooden board with scattered fresh berries to complement the jam’s flavors and add that “wow” factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The great thing about this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe is they keep nicely at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. This gives you enough time to enjoy them fresh without worrying about them drying out or losing their tender texture.
Freezing
If you want to savor these treats a bit later, freeze the fully assembled cookies by layering them between parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to a month. When you’re ready, let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.
Reheating
Heart Jam Cookies are best enjoyed fresh or at room temperature, but if you like them slightly warmed, pop them in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes to bring back that just-baked feel. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the jam overly hot and the cookies chewy.
FAQs
Can I use other types of jam in this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While raspberry and strawberry are classic choices, you’re welcome to experiment with apricot, blackberry, or even mixed berry jams. Just ensure the jam isn’t too runny to prevent soggy cookies.
How thick should I roll out the dough?
Rolling the dough to approximately 1/8 inch thick strikes the perfect balance—thin enough to bake into delicate, tender cookies that hold their shape but thick enough to support the jam filling without breaking.
What if I don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter?
No worries! You can use any cookie cutters you love—circles, stars, or flowers. The heart shapes are just festive and perfect for gifting or Valentine’s Day, but the taste remains just as wonderful with any shape.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can try swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, but be mindful that the texture might vary slightly. Adding a bit of xanthan gum can help maintain cookie structure. It’s a fun twist worth experimenting with!
How do I prevent the jam from leaking during baking?
In this recipe, the jam is added only after baking, which prevents leaking entirely. If you try baking with jam inside, make sure to use a thick, seedless jam and avoid overfilling the cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably heartwarming about making and sharing this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe. From the tender buttery dough to the sweet, vibrant jam center, these little treats embody joy in every bite. Whether baking for loved ones, special occasions, or just because, these cookies are a beautiful expression of care and sweetness. Give them a try—you’ll soon find they become one of your favorite go-to recipes for a cozy, delicious homemade dessert.
Print
Heart Jam Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 sandwich cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Heart Jam Cookies are delightful Linzer-style sandwich cookies featuring buttery, tender heart-shaped cookies filled with sweet seedless raspberry or strawberry jam. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, these cookies combine a delicate texture with a burst of fruity flavor, dusted optionally with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Ingredients
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 & Topping
- 1/2 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, creating a homogenous batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms, careful not to overwork the dough.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie transfer and cleanup.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Use a large heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Then, use a smaller heart cutter to cut out the centers from half of these cookies, creating the ‘window’ tops.
- Transfer to Baking Sheets: Place all the cut cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just beginning to turn golden, to achieve a tender texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they hold their shape.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread a small spoonful of seedless jam on the flat side of each whole cookie, then top with a cutout cookie to form a charming sandwich.
- Optional Dusting: Dust the finished sandwich cookies with powdered sugar if desired, adding a sweet and festive finish.
Notes
- Chill the dough again if it becomes too soft to handle during rolling to maintain shape consistency.
- Choose any flavor of jam you prefer, but ensure it is thick and not too runny to avoid sogginess.
- Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them fresh.
