Bake Joy: Irresistible Jam Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Soft, buttery cookies studded with vibrant jam create a delightful treat that sparks joy in every bite.

These jam-filled cookies bring a burst of sweetness to your favorite afternoon snack.

Baking these delectable morsels fills the kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma that draws everyone closer.

The simple yet elegant recipe combines basic pantry ingredients into something truly magical.

Each cookie offers a perfect balance of tender crumb and fruity jam center.

Crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture meets bright, colorful jam for a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these irresistible cookies that promise pure baking bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 24

Jam Cookie Ingredient Lineup

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and tender texture for cookies.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, crisp edges.
• Egg Yolk: Binds ingredients, adds moisture and luxurious richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.

• Flour: Creates structure and gives cookies delicate, crumbly consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.

• Jam: Adds burst of fruity sweetness and colorful center.
• Chopped Nuts: Optional topping for extra crunch and nutty dimension.
• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting provides elegant finishing touch.

Tools You’ll Use for Jam Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creating light, fluffy butter mixture.
• Separate mixing bowl: Used for combining dry ingredients like flour and salt.
• Plastic wrap: Helps chill and rest the cookie dough.
• Baking sheets: Provide surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Small spoon or thumb: Creates indentations for jam filling.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Bake the Best Jam Cookies at Home

• Whip Up the Butter Base

Grab your mixing bowl and blend butter with sugar until it becomes super fluffy and clouds of sweetness emerge.

• Mix in the Liquid Gold

Splash in egg yolk and vanilla, stirring until everything looks smooth and inviting.

• Create the Cookie Dough

Gently fold flour and salt into your buttery mixture, stirring until a soft, tender dough forms.

• Chill and Relax

Wrap your dough in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for half an hour, allowing flavors to mingle.

• Prepare the Baking Stage

Heat your oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Shape Your Cookies

Roll dough into small spheres, optional: roll in chopped nuts for extra crunch.

• Create Jam Pockets

Place cookie balls on baking sheets, press a gentle dent in each center using your thumb.

• Jam It Up

Fill each cookie’s center with a dollop of your favorite jam, being careful not to overflow.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide cookies into the oven, baking 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

• Cool and Garnish

Let cookies rest on baking sheets briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

• Store and Enjoy

Keep cookies in an airtight container, ready to delight for up to 5 days.

Smart Tips for Jam Cookie Flavor

• Jam-Packed Flavor Tricks: Learn how to make these delightful cookies even more amazing!
• Chill Dough Magic: Refrigerating the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more tender cookie texture. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but overnight chilling works wonders for deeper flavor development.
• Jam Selection Secrets: Choose high-quality, thick fruit preserves that won't run during baking. Raspberry, strawberry, and apricot jams work beautifully, but feel free to experiment with unique flavor combinations.
• Nutty Texture Boost: Roll cookie dough balls in finely chopped almonds, pecans, or pistachios for an extra crunch and rich nutty undertone. Toast nuts lightly beforehand to enhance their natural flavors.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies celiac-safe. Add a pinch of xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients and maintain a perfect texture.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place frozen dough directly on baking sheets and add 2-3 extra minutes to baking time for perfectly golden results.

How to Share and Serve Jam Cookies

• Tea Time Delight: Pair these jam cookies with a warm cup of Earl Grey tea for a classic afternoon treat that melts in your mouth.
• Holiday Gift Charm: Package these cookies in a festive tin with parchment paper, perfect for homemade edible gifts during Christmas or birthdays.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate alongside fresh berries and a small dollop of whipped cream for an elegant dessert presentation.
• Flavor Fusion Fun: Experiment with different jam varieties like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry to create unique taste combinations that surprise and delight guests.

Save and Store Jam Cookies the Right Way

• Smart Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes to help cookies maintain shape and enhance flavor development, preventing excessive spreading during baking.
• Layering Technique: When storing cookies, place parchment paper or wax paper between cookie layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate jam-filled centers.
• Freshness Extension: Keep cookies in a sealed ceramic or glass container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, to maintain their crisp texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezing Option: Wrap unbaked dough balls individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking, adding 1-2 extra minutes to baking time.

Irresistible Jam Cookies

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Classic jam thumbprint cookies combine buttery shortbread with sweet raspberry preserves for a delightful treat. German bakers perfected these delicate cookies, offering a perfect balance of rich pastry and fruity filling that you’ll savor with afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g)
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup fruit jam or preserves (e.g., raspberry, strawberry, apricot) (118 ml)
• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Finely chopped nuts for rolling

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Whip softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
2. Enriching: Blend egg yolk and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, ensuring complete and even incorporation of flavors.
3. Dry Mixture: Sift flour and salt together in a separate bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
4. Dough Formation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until a tender, cohesive dough develops.
5. Chilling: Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to set and flavors to meld.
6. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Shaping: Roll dough into 1-inch balls, optionally coating with finely chopped nuts for added texture and crunch.
8. Positioning: Place dough spheres on prepared baking sheets, leaving ample space between each cookie.
9. Forming Wells: Create a gentle indentation in the center of each dough ball using a thumb or small spoon.
10. Filling: Carefully spoon jam into the center of each cookie, ensuring precise and neat placement.
11. Baking: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown.
12. Cooling: Rest cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Finishing: Optionally dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
14. Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, maintaining freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Chill the Dough: Refrigeration helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookie’s shape, creating a more compact and refined texture.
• Control Jam Quantity: Use a small spoon or piping bag to add just enough jam, preventing overflow and ensuring a neat, professional appearance.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or weigh dough portions to guarantee consistent size and even baking across the entire batch.
• Experiment with Jam Varieties: Explore different fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or mixed berry to add unique flavor profiles and personalize the recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg