Description
These luscious buttery shortbread cookies with raspberry jam combine the rich, tender crumb of classic shortbread with a sweet and tangy raspberry center. Perfect for holiday celebrations or everyday indulgence, these cookies are easy to make, baked to golden perfection, and can be customized with your favorite fruit preserves.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important for the texture of the cookies.
- Add Vanilla: Mix in the pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated, adding flavor depth to the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture. Stir gently and mix just until a soft dough forms; avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
- Create Indentations: Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball to hold the raspberry jam.
- Fill with Jam: Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of seedless raspberry jam into each indentation, filling gently without overfilling.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating the cookies are done.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up nicely.
- Optional Dusting: Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar if desired for added sweetness and decoration before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute raspberry jam with other fruit preserves such as strawberry, apricot, or blackberry for a different flavor.
- For extra flavor, try adding 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
