Jam Cookies Recipe That Melts Hearts

Soft, buttery cookies with homemade jam create sweet moments of pure delight.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen spark nostalgia for these delectable treats.

Baking these cookies feels like wrapping comfort around your heart.

Simple ingredients come together in a symphony of flavor and texture.

Rich, golden dough cradles vibrant jam centers that burst with fruity goodness.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of crumbly cookie and luscious jam.

Prepare to experience a mouthwatering journey that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Drinks and Treats That Match These Cookies

• A chilled glass of moscato wine complements the jam cookies' sweetness, creating a delightful dessert pairing that enhances the fruity jam flavors.
• A strong espresso or dark roast coffee balances the cookies' sugary profile, cutting through the richness and providing a bold counterpoint to the delicate treat.
• A smooth Earl Grey or chamomile tea highlights the buttery texture of the cookies, offering a soft, elegant accompaniment that doesn't overpower the subtle jam notes.
• A light port or late harvest riesling intensifies the jam's fruitiness, creating a harmonious blend that celebrates the cookie's delicate, sweet character.

Flavor Combos for Jam Cookie Fans

Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie sweetness.

Nut-Enhanced Version: Roll cookie dough balls in finely chopped almonds, pecans, or pistachios before baking for added crunch and nutty flavor profile.

Fruit Swap Alternative: Experiment with different jam varieties like raspberry, blackberry, or apricot preserves instead of traditional strawberry or grape jam to create unique flavor combinations.

Cookie Questions, Covered

• What type of jam works best for these cookies?

Any seedless jam works well, but raspberry, strawberry, and apricot are top choices that provide great flavor and vibrant color.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2-3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

• How do I prevent the jam from leaking during baking?

Make sure to create a deep, clean indentation and avoid overfilling. Leave a small rim around the edges to help contain the jam while baking.

• Are these cookies good for holiday baking?

Absolutely! These jam thumbprint cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, and gift-giving because they look elegant and taste delicious.

Jam Cookies That Feel Like Home

• Perfectly sized cookies that kids and adults will adore, making them ideal for after-school snacks or family gatherings.
• Takes just 30 minutes of chilling time and 15 minutes of baking, delivering delicious homemade cookies without consuming your entire day.
• Customize these cookies by switching jam flavors- strawberry, raspberry, or apricot work wonderfully, letting you create unique taste experiences with minimal effort.
• Simple ingredients and straightforward steps ensure even novice bakers can successfully create these delightful thumbprint cookies without stress or complicated techniques.

Ingredients for the Best Jam-Filled Treats

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie, providing structure and texture. Look for fresh, unbleached flour for best results.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter, Sugar: Key components for creating a rich, tender cookie with a delicate crumb. Choose unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
• Egg Yolk: Adds richness, moisture, and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, sweet flavor depth. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.

• Jam: The star filling that adds fruity sweetness and moisture to the cookie. Use high-quality, seedless jam for smooth texture.
• Chopped Nuts (Optional): Offers extra crunch and nutty flavor around the cookie exterior.
• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting adds a delicate sweetness and elegant finish to the cookies.

Steps to Make the Perfect Jam Cookie

Step 1: Whip Up Creamy Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and blend softened butter with sugar until the mixture becomes airy and cloud-like. Introduce egg yolk and vanilla extract, stirring until everything looks smooth and harmonious.

Step 2: Craft Dry Mixture

In a separate bowl, blend flour and salt by whisking them together thoroughly.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the creamy mixture, gently mixing until a tender dough emerges.

Step 4: Chill Dough

Wrap the dough securely in plastic wrap and nestle it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes until it firms up.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Station

Warm the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll dough into small round spheres. Optional: Roll balls in finely chopped nuts for extra crunch.

Step 7: Create Jam Pockets

Position dough balls on prepared sheets, spacing them comfortably apart. Use thumb or spoon handle to create gentle indentations in cookie centers.

Step 8: Fill With Jam

Carefully dollop jam into each cookie’s center pocket, avoiding overfilling.

Step 9: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide cookies into preheated oven, baking for 12-15 minutes until edges turn delicately golden.

Step 10: Cool And Finish

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling rack. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Step 11: Store Delightfully

Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Tips for Keeping Jam Centered and Neat

• Chill the Dough Properly: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and help cookies maintain their shape during baking.
• Prevent Jam Overflow: Use a small spoon or the back of a measuring spoon to create a precise, shallow indentation that stops jam from spilling over the cookie edges.
• Choose the Right Jam: Select thick, high-quality jam with minimal liquid to ensure a clean, neat filling that won't leak during baking.
• Customize with Nut Coatings: Roll cookie dough balls in finely chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts for added crunch and a delightful nutty flavor profile.
• Control Powdered Sugar: Dust cookies with powdered sugar just before serving to keep the coating crisp and prevent premature absorption into the cookie surface.

Storing Cookies for Lasting Softness

• Place cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for maximum 5 days.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm cookies gently in preheated oven at 300F (150C) for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwave to maintain cookie's delicate structure.
• Add small silica gel packet inside storage container to absorb excess humidity and keep cookies crisp and fresh.

The Best Jam Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Homemade Jam Cookies bring delightful sweetness to classic afternoon treats. Crisp buttery edges and fruity centers create irresistible moments of pure comfort for cookie enthusiasts seeking simple Mediterranean-style baking pleasures.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 grams)
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup fruit jam or preserves (e.g., raspberry, strawberry, apricot) (118 milliliters)

Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavor and Decoration Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Finely chopped nuts for rolling

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Instructions

1. Blend softened butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the cookies.
2. Incorporate egg yolk and vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to ensure complete integration of the rich, aromatic ingredients.
3. Prepare a separate mixing vessel and sift together flour and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, working carefully until a cohesive, tender dough emerges.
5. Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour, allowing the ingredients to rest and solidify.
6. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking trays with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
7. Craft uniform spherical dough portions, approximately one inch in diameter. Optional: Roll the dough balls in finely chopped nuts to enhance textural complexity.
8. Arrange the dough spheres on prepared baking sheets, maintaining generous spacing between each cookie.
9. Create a delicate indentation in the center of each dough ball using either your thumb or the curved edge of a small spoon.
10. Delicately spoon jam into the center of each cookie, ensuring precise filling without overflowing.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for a subtle golden hue along the cookie’s edges.
12. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
13. Once completely cooled, optionally dust with a light veil of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
14. Preserve the cookies in an airtight container, maintaining freshness for up to five days at room temperature.

Notes

• Customize jam flavors to match seasonal preferences or personal taste, experimenting with raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or even exotic options like lavender or passion fruit.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape, ensuring a perfect round texture with clean edges during baking.
• Prevent jam from leaking by creating a deeper indentation and using thick, high-quality preserves with less liquid content.
• Adjust texture for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, adding a small amount of xanthan gum for better binding.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg