The Best Jam Cookies Recipe

Homemade Jam Cookies Recipe: Sweet Treats from Your Oven

Sweet memories often dance around a jam cookies recipe that sparks childhood nostalgia.

Grandma’s kitchen would smell incredible with these delectable treats cooling on wire racks.

Soft, buttery dough perfectly cradles vibrant fruit preserves in each delightful bite.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a magical contrast that makes these cookies irresistible.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, promising a delightful baking experience for anyone who loves homemade sweets.

Baking these treats connects you with generations of home cooks who cherished sharing love through simple, delicious moments.

We promise these jam cookies will become your new favorite comfort food.

Why The Best Jam Cookies Are A Hit

Why The Best Jam Cookies Are A Hit
  • Craft Delightful Sandwich Cookies: Create charming jam-filled treats that look professional and taste incredible, perfect for impressing family and friends with minimal baking skills.
  • Customize with Endless Variations: Switch up jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or blueberry to match personal preferences or seasonal ingredients, making these cookies adaptable and exciting.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engage children in the fun process of cutting cookie shapes, filling with colorful jam, and decorating with powdered sugar, turning baking into a memorable family activity.
  • Versatile Party Dessert: Serve these elegant cookies at afternoon tea, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or as a sweet gift, adding a touch of homemade charm to any occasion.

All You Need For The Best Jam Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A classic baking ingredient that provides structure to the cookie dough.
  • Butter: Softened butter creates a rich and tender texture for the cookies.
  • Icing Sugar: A fine sugar that adds sweetness and helps create a delicate cookie texture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: A classic flavoring that adds warmth and depth to the cookie's taste.
  • Salt: A small amount that balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the cookies.
Filling and Topping:
  • Strawberry Jam: A sweet and fruity filling that adds vibrant flavor and color to the center of the cookies.
  • Extra Icing Sugar: A light dusting that provides a beautiful finishing touch and extra sweetness.

Making The Best Jam Cookies Easily

Making The Best Jam Cookies Easily

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab a baking sheet and dress it up with parchment paper for a smooth non-stick surface.

Step 2: Whip Up the Butter Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and transform softened butter and powdered sugar into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture. Beat them together until they look light and dreamy.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

Sprinkle in salt and vanilla extract. Stir everything until the ingredients become best friends and blend perfectly.

Step 4: Create the Dough Magic

Slowly fold in all-purpose flour. Keep mixing until the ingredients come together and form a smooth, touchable dough.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Dust your counter with a light flour blanket. Roll out the dough until it’s thin and even, about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Pull out your cookie cutters and start creating circular shapes. For half the cookies, make a cute little window in the center using a smaller cutter.

Step 7: Prepare for Jammy Goodness

Place your cookie shapes on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Get ready for the delicious next step!

Step 8: Jam It Up

Carefully dollop strawberry jam right in the center of the solid cookie bases. Be generous but neat.

Step 9: Create Cookie Sandwiches

Gently place the window-cut cookies on top of the jam-covered bases. Press the edges softly to seal in the fruity surprise.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 11: Cool Down

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack. Let them chill and cool completely – patience is key!

Step 12: Final Sweet Touch

Once cooled, dust the tops with a snowfall of powdered sugar. Make them look as delightful as they taste.

Step 13: Serve and Celebrate

Arrange on a pretty plate and enjoy these jam-packed delights with friends and family!

Simple Tips For The Best Jam Cookies

Simple Tips For The Best Jam Cookies
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent sticking and ensure cleaner cookie cuts.
  • Choose high-quality strawberry jam with minimal added sugars for the best flavor profile.
  • Experiment with different jam varieties like raspberry, apricot, or mixed berry for unique taste combinations.
  • Use a silicone baking mat instead of parchment paper for more even heat distribution and crisp edges.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their delicate texture and freshness.

Try These Styles Of The Best Jam Cookies

  • Citrus Burst Cookies: Replace strawberry jam with lemon or orange marmalade for a zesty flavor profile.
  • Nutty Comfort Cookies: Mix ground almonds or hazelnuts into the dough for added texture and richness.
  • Chocolate Linzer Cookies: Swap half the flour with cocoa powder and use raspberry or cherry jam for a decadent version.
  • Spiced Winter Cookies: Add ground cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough, using fig or apricot jam for a warm, seasonal touch.

Good Matches With The Best Jam Cookies

  • Pair with Creamy Earl Grey Tea: Smooth, fragrant Earl Grey complements the sweet strawberry jam cookies perfectly, balancing their buttery richness with delicate bergamot notes.
  • Combine with Chilled Rosé Wine: Light, fruity rosé wine offers a crisp contrast to the cookies' sweetness, creating a delightful afternoon treat that feels elegantly indulgent.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Gelato: Smooth, rich vanilla gelato enhances the cookies' texture, providing a cool, creamy counterpoint to the warm, jam-filled pastry.
  • Serve with Lavender Lemonade: Refreshing lavender lemonade cuts through the cookie's sweetness, adding a bright, aromatic dimension that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Keeping The Best Jam Cookies Fresh

  • Store jam cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep container sealed to prevent moisture absorption.
  • Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies maintain quality for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent texture changes.
  • Add small silica gel packet inside storage container to absorb excess humidity and maintain cookie crispness.

Answers About The Best Jam Cookies

  • What type of jam works best for this recipe?

Strawberry jam is recommended, but you can use any seedless or smooth jam like raspberry, apricot, or blackberry for delicious variations.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from spreading during baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before cutting and baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

  • Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the unbaked cookie shapes for up to 2 weeks.

  • How do I get a clean, neat jam window in the cookies?

Use small cookie cutters or a sharp knife to create precise center holes. Ensure the dough is chilled and you have a clean, sharp cutting tool for the best results.

Print
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The Best Jam Cookies Recipe

The Best Jam Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 30-32 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Irresistible jam cookies blend sweet nostalgia with homemade comfort, offering a delightful twist on classic desserts. Buttery, crumbly shortbread meets fruity jam centers, creating a perfect balance of flavors that will transport you to grandmother’s kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup strawberry jam

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

  • 3/4 cup icing sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasoning:

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie baking.
  2. Cream the softened butter and icing sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
  3. Incorporate salt and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
  4. Sift flour gradually into the butter mixture, gently folding until a cohesive dough forms.
  5. Lightly flour the work surface and roll out the dough to a uniform 1/4 inch thickness.
  6. Create cookie bases using a round cutter, then craft matching tops with a smaller cutter to create decorative jam windows.
  7. Arrange cookie bases on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing between each piece.
  8. Carefully dollop strawberry jam into the center of each solid cookie base.
  9. Delicately position the windowed cookie tops over the jam-filled bases, softly pressing edges to seal.
  10. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookie edges transform into a golden-brown hue.
  11. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling for optimal texture and flavor development.
  12. Finish by elegantly dusting the cooled cookies with a light layer of powdered sugar.
  13. Present and savor these delightful jam-filled treats.

Notes

  • Precision matters when rolling dough; use spacers or ruler to ensure consistent 1/4 inch thickness for uniform baking.
  • Chill the dough for 15-30 minutes before cutting to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes.
  • Select high-quality jam with intense fruit flavor for maximum taste impact; homemade preserves work wonderfully.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, adding xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 110 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 30 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 0.3 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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