Ingredients
Cookies
- 200 g unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g castor sugar
- 1 extra-large egg
- 1 extra-large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 350 g cake flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 100 g strawberry jam
Finishing
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and castor sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the extra-large egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough to maintain tenderness.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up, making it easier to roll and cut.
- Roll out and cut shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 3-5 mm thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out an even number of cookies. On half of the hearts, use a smaller heart cutter to create a window in the center.
- Assemble cookies: Place the whole heart cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spoon a small amount of strawberry jam onto each whole heart, then cover with the heart cookies with the small heart window cut out, pressing gently around the edges to seal.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Bake the assembled cookies for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and dust: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar to finish.
Notes
- Use cake flour for a lighter, more tender cookie texture.
- Chilling the dough prevents spreading and makes cutting easier.
- Feel free to substitute strawberry jam with raspberry or apricot jam for different flavors.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
