Imagine sinking your teeth into a delightful cookie that combines the crispness of a perfectly baked treat with the sweet surprise of fruity jam at its center. Heart Jam Cookies are a perfect choice for any occasion, from casual afternoon snacks to your next party’s star dessert. These charming, heart-shaped cookies not only taste divine but also add a special touch of love to your cookie tray or gift basket. Preparing them is easier than you might think, and as you read on, you’ll discover every step to create these delightful morsels.
Why We Love This Heart Jam Cookies Recipe
Heart Jam Cookies are a favorite among cookie lovers for several reasons. First, they are incredibly versatile—you can use different flavors of jam, like strawberry or apricot, to change things up according to your personal taste. They also have a beautiful presentation, making them perfect for gifting or displaying at celebrations. Moreover, the rich butter flavor combined with the nutty undertones of vanilla and almond creates a delectable taste that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re baking these cookies for a loved one or simply indulging in a sweet treat yourself, the joy of Heart Jam Cookies will surely brighten your day!
Ingredients about Heart Jam Cookies
To whip up these delightful Heart Jam Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
List of ingredients with measurements
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
How to Make Heart Jam Cookies Directions
Making Heart Jam Cookies is a fun and rewarding process that will fill your kitchen with delightful aromas. Here’s how you can prepare them step by step:
- Prepare Your Baking Sheets: Start by lining two 13×9 inch baking sheets with parchment paper. This will help ensure your cookies don’t stick and make for easier cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first helps evenly distribute the cornstarch and salt into the flour. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to cream the room-temperature unsalted butter with both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Begin on medium speed and gradually increase to medium-high, mixing for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and creamy. Scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally ensures everything is well mixed.
- Incorporate the Egg Yolks and Flavorings: Once your butter-sugar mixture is light and fluffy, add the large egg yolk along with the vanilla and almond extracts. Mix on low speed just until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing at low speed to prevent any mess. Scrape down the bowl as needed. This step will create the dough for your cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon-sized dough scoop, form dough balls and roll them smoothly between your palms. Place each cookie 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Take your pinky finger and gently press a heart shape into the top of each cookie dough ball.
- Chill the Dough: Once your cookies are shaped, place the cookie sheet into the freezer for about 30 minutes or refrigerate for 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps maintain its shape while baking.
- Prepare to Bake: After chilling, remove the baking sheets from the freezer and preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Add the Jam: In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the raspberry jam for about 10-15 seconds until it becomes slightly runny. Using a teaspoon or a small spoon, fill the heart indentations with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cookie trays in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies remain soft but are ready when the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool Down: After baking, let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This will help them hold their shape better.
How to Serve Heart Jam Cookies
Once your Heart Jam Cookies are cooled, it’s time to enjoy them! You can serve these cookies as a delightful dessert to finish a meal or as a lovely afternoon snack alongside a cup of tea or coffee. They make fantastic additions to a cookie platter and can even bring a touch of sweetness to celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, or Valentine’s Day. If you’re feeling extra festive, consider dusting the cookies with powdered sugar before serving for visual appeal. Whether enjoyed immediately or shared with friends, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and joy.
Expert Tips: Heart Jam Cookies
To ensure that your Heart Jam Cookies turn out perfect every time, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Chilling is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much while baking.
- Jam Varieties: Feel free to experiment with different flavors of jam for variety. Strawberry, peach, or even citrus jams can introduce unique flavors and colors to your cookies.
- Sifting Flour: For an even lighter texture, you can sift the flour before measuring. This helps to aerate the flour, leading to a softer cookie.
- Butter Temperature: Ensure your unsalted butter is at room temperature before creaming. Cold butter will not incorporate air properly, resulting in dense cookies.
- Watch Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the cookies as they bake. Depending on your oven and the size of the cookies, baking times may vary slightly.
- Give Them Space: Make sure to leave enough space between each cookie on the baking sheet to allow for spreading.
How to Store Heart Jam Cookies
To keep your Heart Jam Cookies fresh and delicious, proper storage is essential. Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’d like to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Simply place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature.
Variation of Heart Jam Cookies
If you’re looking to switch things up, there are numerous variations of Heart Jam Cookies you can try:
- Different Shapes: Instead of hearts, why not use cookie cutters to create different shapes? Stars, circles, or flowers can add a fun twist to your cookie assortment.
- Fillings: Instead of jam, you can fill the center with chocolate ganache, Nutella, or even lemon curd for an unexpected flavor burst.
- Frosting: After baking and cooling the cookies, you could top them with a light drizzle of icing for added sweetness. A simple lemon or vanilla glaze works beautifully.
- Nutty Addition: Add some chopped nuts such as almonds or walnuts to the cookie dough for extra texture and flavor.
- Dried Fruits: Incorporating bits of dried fruits, such as cranberries or cherries, into the dough can enhance both the taste and the nutritional value of your cookies.
FAQ
What are Heart Jam Cookies?
Heart Jam Cookies are delightful cookies made with a buttery base and a sweet jam filling, shaped like hearts, making them perfect for gifting or special occasions.
How do I achieve a perfect dough consistency for Heart Jam Cookies?
To achieve the right dough consistency, ensure your butter is at room temperature and mix until creamy. Gradually add the dry ingredients to prevent over-mixing.
Can I use different types of jam for Heart Jam Cookies?
Absolutely! You can use any flavor of jam you prefer, such as strawberry, apricot, or even mixed berry.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Chilling the cookie dough before baking helps to prevent spreading. Make sure the dough balls are well-formed and maintain sufficient space on the baking sheet.
How should I store Heart Jam Cookies?
Store Heart Jam Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for up to three months.
Heart Jam Cookies
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature) Must be at room temperature
- 1/3 cup 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
Filling
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup raspberry jam Can substitute with other jam varieties
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line two 13x9 inch baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the room-temperature butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing at low speed to create the dough.
- Using a tablespoon-sized dough scoop, form dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, pressing a heart shape into each ball.
- Chill the shaped cookie dough in the freezer for about 30 minutes or refrigerate for 1 hour.
Baking
- Remove the cookie sheets from the freezer and add about 1/2 teaspoon of heated raspberry jam into the heart indentations.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
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