If you’re on the lookout for a charming, melt-in-your-mouth treat to brighten any afternoon or festive gathering, the Jam Heart Butter Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delightful cookies boast a tender, buttery crumb that perfectly balances a burst of sweet, fruity jam nestled in the middle. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or craving a comforting homemade snack, this recipe brings together simple ingredients in a way that feels both nostalgic and special, making every bite a little moment of joy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows several white bowls arranged on a white marbled surface, each containing baking ingredients. Starting from the top right, there is a white bowl filled with white flour, next to it a slightly smaller white bowl filled with white sugar placed below. To the left of the sugar, there is another white bowl holding three pale yellow sticks of butter stacked together. Below the butter, a tiny light wood bowl has some fine pink salt. Beside the salt bowl, a small white bowl contains two bright orange egg yolks. Above all the bowls, two brown glass bottles without caps stand side by side, and to their left, there is a square glass jar filled with red jam with a silver spoon inside. A white cloth and a round metal cookie cutter are partially visible behind the bowls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting your ingredients ready for the Jam Heart Butter Cookies Recipe is wonderfully straightforward. Each component plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect texture, rich flavor, and that irresistible golden color you’ll love.

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides the luscious, creamy base that makes these cookies irresistibly tender.
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create that delicate crispness on the edges.
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt: Enhances the butter’s flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • 2 egg yolks: Add richness and help bind the dough for just the right crumb.
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Brings warm, inviting aroma and depth to the cookie’s flavor.
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract: Offers a subtle nutty note that complements the fruit filling beautifully.
  • 2¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough providing structure and softness.
  • 6 ounces raspberry jam (or strawberry): The star of the show—bright, sweet, and tart jam makes that heart center sing.

How to Make Jam Heart Butter Cookies Recipe

The image shows rolled out dough on a white marbled surface dusted with white flour. There are nine round shapes cut with scalloped edges, evenly spaced in one layer on the dough. The dough is a light yellow color and looks soft and smooth. To the right side of the dough, there is a round metal cutter with a scalloped edge placed on some flour. The scene shows a close-up view from above, focusing on the dough pieces and the cutter. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Begin by setting your oven to 350℉ (or 180℃). Proper oven heat ensures your cookies bake evenly with that perfect golden finish. Meanwhile, line a rimmed metal baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Salt

In a mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine softened butter, sugar, and salt. Cream these ingredients together on low to medium-low speed until the mix becomes light and fluffy. This step is critical—it incorporates air into the butter which translates to tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Extracts

Blend in the egg yolks along with vanilla and almond extracts until just combined. The egg yolks lend richness and help the dough come together smoothly, while the extracts lend unmistakable warmth and depth of flavor.

Step 4: Incorporate the Flour

Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough forms but is still soft and pliable. It’s important not to over-mix here to keep the cookies tender instead of tough.

Step 5: Roll and Cut the Dough

Lightly flour your workspace before rolling out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to stamp out 12 cookies from the dough. Don’t throw away scraps—you’ll use these for the next batch! Place the cookies onto your prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Create Heart Indentions

With the rounded end of a spoon, gently press into the center of each cookie to form little heart-shaped wells. This is where the magic happens—it’s the perfect pocket for your jam! Be careful not to press too hard or the cookies might lose their shape.

Step 7: Fill with Jam and Bake

Fill a resealable plastic bag with jam and snip off a tiny corner to pipe jam neatly into each heart indentation. Fill just enough to cover the well without overflow. Bake the cookies on the middle oven rack for about 12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to bake evenly. Allow them to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Step 8: Repeat for Second Batch

Roll out the remaining dough scraps, stamp, create heart indentions, fill with jam, and bake as you did with the first batch. This recipe yields 24 perfectly charming cookies overall.

How to Serve Jam Heart Butter Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For an extra festive touch, sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar just before serving. A few fresh raspberries or edible flowers around the plate can elevate presentation and highlight the jam’s flavor.

Side Dishes

These butter cookiesPair delightfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. For brunch or dessert, serve alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream to add freshness and creaminess that contrast beautifully with the rich cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging the cookies in a heart-shaped pattern on a platter to match their cute jam centers — perfect for Valentine’s Day or special occasions. Gift them in decorative tins or wrap individually with cellophane and ribbon for charming homemade presents.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tasty and soft for up to one week, making them great for enjoying over several days or sharing with friends.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough or the baked cookies! Wrap cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, layer them between parchment paper inside an airtight container and freeze similarly. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you prefer your cookies warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300℉ for 5 minutes or microwave for about 10 seconds. This simple step will revive their buttery softness and enhance the gooey jam center beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of jam?

Absolutely! While raspberry or strawberry jam works wonderfully, feel free to use apricot, blueberry, or your favorite preserves. Just make sure it’s not too runny to avoid soggy cookies.

Is it necessary to use almond extract?

Almond extract adds a lovely subtle nutty note that complements the fruit jam perfectly, but if you’re allergic or don’t have it on hand, you can omit it or replace it with a touch more vanilla extract.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

With a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup for cup like regular flour, you can make these cookies gluten-free. Just keep an eye on the dough’s consistency as some blends absorb moisture differently.

Why do I need to use egg yolks only?

Egg yolks provide richness and tenderness without adding the extra liquid and protein from egg whites, which can make cookies tougher. Using yolks helps create that soft, buttery crumb you want.

Can I skip the creaming step?

Creaming the butter and sugar introduces air, which is essential for a tender, light texture in these cookies. Skipping it could result in a denser, less airy cookie, so it’s worth the extra minute or two!

Final Thoughts

Making the Jam Heart Butter Cookies Recipe is such a rewarding experience—from the joyful process of rolling, cutting, and filling dough to the heavenly scent that fills your kitchen as they bake. These cookies are perfect for sharing or savoring anytime you need a little sweet comfort. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become one of your favorite go-to recipes!

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Jam Heart Butter Cookies Recipe

Jam Heart Butter Cookies Recipe

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3.9 from 151 reviews

These Jam Heart Butter Cookies are delightful buttery treats with a sweet twist of raspberry or strawberry jam nestled in charming heart-shaped indentations. Perfectly soft with a slight crisp on the edges, they make for a lovely dessert or gift for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Filling

  • 6 ounces raspberry jam (or strawberry jam)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃) to prepare for baking the cookies.
  2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a rimmed metal baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and to ensure even baking.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine the softened butter, sugar, and salt. Cream together on low to medium-low speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
  4. Add Egg Yolks and Extracts: Mix in the egg yolks, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully incorporated into the creamed mixture.
  5. Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form a dough.
  6. Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out 12 cookies, reserving dough scraps for the next batch.
  7. Create Heart Indentions: Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet. Using the rounded end of a spoon, gently press into the center of each cookie to create heart-shaped indentations.
  8. Fill with Jam: Place the jam in a resealable plastic bag, cut a small corner off, and carefully squeeze some jam into each heart indentation. Avoid overfilling to prevent spilling during baking.
  9. Bake Cookies: Bake on the middle rack for 12 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even cooking. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Repeat: Roll out the reserved dough scraps and repeat the process to bake the remaining 12 cookies.

Notes

  • Use softened butter for easier mixing and better texture.
  • Ensure jam is not too runny to prevent cookie sogginess.
  • Rolling dough evenly to 1/4-inch thickness helps cookies bake uniformly.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
  • Substitute jam flavors as desired for variety.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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