Heart Jam Cookies are a delightful treat that perfectly blends sweetness with a touch of nostalgia. These cookies are made soft and buttery and are adorned with a lovely heart shape filled with luscious raspberry jam. Not only are they a visual delight, but they also offer a burst of flavor that makes them a perfect addition to any gathering or as a comforting snack at home. Whether you bake them for special occasions or just to enjoy with your afternoon tea, they are sure to bring joy to everyone who takes a bite.
Why We Love This Heart Jam Cookies Recipe
There are many reasons to adore this Heart Jam Cookies recipe. First, its simplicity makes it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, you’ll find that the steps are straightforward and easy to follow. Second, these cookies have a wonderful balance of buttery richness and fruity brightness from the raspberry jam, making them incredibly satisfying. Additionally, their charming heart shape gives them a festive appeal that adds a personal touch—perfect for gifting or enjoying during holidays and celebrations. Essentially, baking these cookies is not just about creating a delicious snack, but also about making cherished memories in your kitchen.
Ingredients about Heart Jam Cookies
To make your very own Heart Jam Cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 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 teaspoons almond extract
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
These simple ingredients combine to create a cookie that is full of flavor and love.
How to Make Heart Jam Cookies Directions
Creating the heart-shaped cookies is a fun process that involves a few simple steps:
- Start by preparing your baking sheets. Line them with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. This step is crucial as it helps to ensure that your cookies have the right structure and texture, so set this mixture aside.
- Take a large bowl and cream together the unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer or a whisk to beat them until the mixture turns light and creamy.
- Next, add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter mixture. Combine all these ingredients thoroughly until they are well blended.
- Gradually, add the dry flour mixture into the wet butter mixture. Mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
- Once your dough is ready, shape it into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Gently press a heart shape into the top of each dough ball to create an indentation for the jam.
- Chill your cookies. You can either place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes or refrigerate them for 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps keep the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you wait for the dough to chill.
- Heat the raspberry jam in a small saucepan over low heat until it is slightly runny. This will make it easier to fill the heart-shaped indents in your cookies.
- Once your dough is chilled, take it out of the freezer or fridge and fill the heart indentations with the warm raspberry jam, being careful not to overfill them.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they are done when the edges turn golden brown.
- After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. Allow them to fully cool before serving.
These delightful Heart Jam Cookies are now ready for you to enjoy! They make the perfect dessert or snack, and you can even dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
How to Serve Heart Jam Cookies
Serving Heart Jam Cookies is as easy as enjoying them. You can present these cookies in a beautiful cookie jar or on a decorative plate, where their charming heart shapes can attract attention. They pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee, making them an ideal treat for your afternoon break or for sharing with friends during a gathering.
For special occasions such as Valentine’s Day or anniversaries, consider packaging them in a lovely box tied with a ribbon. This adds a personal touch and makes them a thoughtful gift. You can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar before serving for an added touch of elegance. If you want to make your serving a little more playful, you can serve them alongside additional raspberry jam or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert combo that everyone will love.
Expert Tips: Heart Jam Cookies
To ensure that your Heart Jam Cookies turn out perfectly, consider the following expert tips:
- Butter Consistency: Make sure your butter is at room temperature. This helps create a light and fluffy texture when creaming with the sugars. Cold butter will not mix well and can lead to dense cookies.
- Flour Measurement: Use the spoon-and-level method to measure your flour. This means spooning flour into your measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife to avoid packing too much flour, which can make your cookies dry.
- Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step. This is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and will help you achieve the perfect shape.
- Filling the Jam: When filling the heart indentations with jam, don’t overfill, as the jam can bubble over during baking. A teaspoon of jam should be just right.
- Watch for Doneness: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake, especially the first time you make them. They can quickly turn from perfect to overbaked if you’re not careful. Look for a light golden edge.
- Storage Tip: If you have leftover cookies, store them in an airtight container in a cool place. They are best enjoyed within a few days, but if you need to keep them longer, consider freezing them.
How to Store Heart Jam Cookies
To keep your Heart Jam Cookies fresh for as long as possible, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from getting stale and maintains their delightful texture. If you live in a warm or humid area, consider storing them in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life.
If you wish to freeze your cookies, let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Wrap them well to avoid freezer burn. When you are ready to enjoy them, simply take them out and let them thaw at room temperature. You can even warm them slightly in the oven for a few minutes to refresh their texture.
Variation of Heart Jam Cookies
Get creative with your Heart Jam Cookies by experimenting with different flavors and fillings. Here are a few variations you might want to try:
- Different Jams: While raspberry is a classic, feel free to substitute with other fruit jams like strawberry, apricot, or blueberry. Each jam adds a new flavor and color profile to your cookies.
- Add Nuts: Incorporate finely chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, into the dough for a delightful crunch and added nutrition.
- Spiced Cookies: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for warm spice notes that complement the sweet jam.
- Chocolate Drizzle: After the cookies have cooled, drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an indulgent touch.
- Colorful Sugar Sprinkles: Before baking, top the cookies with festive sugar crystals or sprinkles to make them even more visually appealing, especially for holidays or celebrations.
These variations ensure that you can adapt your Heart Jam Cookies to suit your tastes or the occasion, allowing every batch to feel unique and special.
FAQ
What are Heart Jam Cookies? Heart Jam Cookies are soft and buttery cookies filled with your choice of fruit jam, usually raspberry, and shaped like hearts. They’re perfect for any occasion.
How do I make Heart Jam Cookies? To make Heart Jam Cookies, you mix the butter and sugars, add an egg yolk and extracts, combine with the dry ingredients, shape, and fill them with jam before baking.
How long do Heart Jam Cookies last? In an airtight container, Heart Jam Cookies can last for up to a week at room temperature or longer if refrigerated or frozen.
Can I use other types of jam for this cookie recipe? Absolutely! You can use any fruit jam you prefer, such as strawberry, apricot, or cherry, to give the cookies a different flavor.
Can I freeze Heart Jam Cookies? Yes, you can freeze these cookies. Make sure they’re completely cooled, then store them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and thaw them when you want to enjoy them.
Are Heart Jam Cookies suitable for gifting? Yes! Their charming shape and delicious flavor make them perfect for gifting on special occasions, and you can dress them up with a beautiful presentation.
Heart Jam Cookies
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 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 teaspoons almond extract
Filling
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
Mixing
- In a large bowl, cream unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy.
- Add egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Shaping and Chilling
- Shape the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Gently press a heart shape into the top of each dough ball to create an indentation for the jam.
- Chill the cookies in the freezer for about 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Filling and Baking
- Heat raspberry jam in a small saucepan over low heat until slightly runny.
- Once dough is chilled, fill the heart indentations with warm raspberry jam, being careful not to overfill.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.
Cooling
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Allow them to fully cool before serving.
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