Strawberry jam cookies are classic shortbread cookies filled with strawberry jam. These strawberry jam cookies are also called heart jam thumbprint cookies.
The strawberry jelly filled center can be formed by pressing your thumb into the center of the shortbread dough. The center is then filled with strawberry jam. You can even create strawberry filled heart shaped thumbprint cookies by using your thumb or the tip of a butter knife to create a heart shape.
In fact, heart shaped jam cookies are a viral food trend on places like TikTok. Heart jam thumbprint cookies are perfect for holidays like Valentine's Day or Christmas.
Why you’ll love this Strawberry Jam Cookie Recipe
- The combination of the sweet and slightly tart flavor of strawberry jam with the rich, buttery shortbread cookie base can create a unique cookie that is perfect for holidays like Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas - or really any time of the year!
- The simple shortbread cookie base is easy to make and doesn't require any refrigeration time. The shortbread can easily be formed into a heart shape using your thumbs or the tip of a butter knife.
Strawberry Jam Cookie Ingredients
- Butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla Extract
- Flour
- Salt
- Strawberry jam or jelly
Ingredient Notes
Butter: Salted or unsalted butter can be used. Some avid bakers prefer to use unsalted butter when baking since it is easier to control how salty the finished recipe turns out.
Granulated sugar: Granulated white sugar is a versatile ingredient and is a staple in most pantries.
Egg yolk: In this strawberry jam shortbread cookie recipe only the egg yolk is used. Using only the egg yolk creates a softer cookie.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is a consistent ingredient in shortbread cookies. If possible, use real vanilla extract instead of imitation vanilla extract.
Flour: All-purpose flour is also a staple ingredient in most home pantries and is a versatile flour widely used in homemade baked goods.
Salt: The addition of salt adds a nice balance to the sweetness of the jam filled cookie centers.
Strawberry jam or jelly: Either strawberry jam or strawberry jelly can be used to fill the heart shaped jam thumbprint cookies.
How to Make Strawberry Jam Cookies: Step by Step Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Next, mix in the flour and salt. Blend until the dough comes together into a ball.
Roll the dough into 1-inch sized round balls. Place them onto the prepared cookie sheet.
To create the heart-shaped centers, use your thumbs to create each half of the heart, angling the bottom of your thumb toward the center. Alternatively, use the top of a dull butter knife to create the tops of of the heart, angling the bottom of the knife toward the center before rotating the knife to create the other heart top.
Carefully place enough strawberry jam into each newly created heart-shaped divot. Use just enough jam to fill the crater without it overflowing.
Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven when the shortbread holds it shape when it is touched, but is still soft.
Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes. Move the cookies to a wire rack to continue cooling.
Strawberry Jam Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- ⅔ cup granulated white sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup strawberry jam or jelly
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract.
- Next, mix in the flour and salt. Blend until the dough comes together into a ball.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch sized round balls. Place them onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- To create the heart-shaped centers, use your thumbs to create each half of the heart, angling the bottom of your thumb toward the center. Alternatively, use the top of a dull butter knife to create the tops of of the heart, angling the bottom of the knife toward the center before rotating the knife to create the other heart top.
- Carefully place enough strawberry jam into each newly created heart-shaped divot. Use just enough jam to fill the crater without it overflowing.
- Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven when the shortbread holds it shape when it is touched, but is still soft.
- Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes. Move the cookies to a wire rack to continue cooling.
What are thumbprint cookies?
Thumbprint cookies are a type of cookie that have a small indent in the middle. The indent is traditionally formed with the baker's thumb - thus the name thumbprint cookie. They are also sometimes called fingerprint cookies. The center is then filled with jam/jelly or another type of filling like frosting.
Thumbprint cookies are a common festive cookie served during holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Thumbprint cookies can even be shaped into hearts, which is especially fitting for Valentine's Day.
What are thumbprint cookies made of?
Thumbprint cookies are made with either a traditional sugar cookie recipe or a traditional shortbread cookie recipe. This strawberry jam cookie recipe is made using a traditional homemade shortbread cookie recipe. Shortbread usually has a higher portion of butter to flour. It does not contain l leavening ingredients like baking soda or baking powder. The texture turns out soft and buttery - a perfect combination with the tart strawberry jam.
Do thumbprint cookies need to be refrigerated?
No, thumbprint cookies do not need to be refrigerated. However, refrigerating thumbprint cookies can extend the shelf life.
How do you store thumbprint cookies?
Store the thumbprint cookies in an air-tight container. Make sure to keep the strawberry jam thumbprint cookies away from heat or direct sunlight since the extra heat may cause the jam filling to melt.
The strawberry jam thumbprint cookies can also be stored in the freezer for up to a month. Make sure the cookies have completely cooled before storing them in an air-tight freezer bag.
Lauren
One of my new favorite cookies.