These delightful Heart Jam Cookies are a sweet treat that brings warmth to any occasion. With the delight of raspberry jam nestled in a buttery cookie, they are both pretty and delicious. I love making these cookies, especially when I want to share something special with friends or family.
When I was little, my Dad, James, would help me make these cookies every Valentine’s Day. He’d let me shape the dough and fill them with jam while telling me stories. Those moments filled our kitchen with laughter and sweet scents that I cherish deeply.
Gathering Your Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
The Tools That Help
To make these Heart Jam Cookies, you will need:
- Two 13×9 baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Medium bowl
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Cookie scoop (1 tablespoon size)
- Cooling rack
The Step-by-Step Process
- Line two 13×9 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
- In the large bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the butter with the sugars. Start on medium speed and go higher for 2-3 minutes until light and creamy.
- Scrape down the bowl, then mix in the egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Set the mixer to low speed and add the dry ingredients slowly into the wet mixture. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Use a 1 tablespoon sized dough scoop to make dough balls. Roll them smoothly in your palms.
- Place each dough ball 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press a heart shape into the top of the cookie dough with your pinky finger.
- Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes or the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Pull the baking sheets from the freezer. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Put the raspberry jam into a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 10-15 seconds until it’s slightly runny.
- Using a 1/4 teaspoon or a very small spoon, fill the heart indent with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
- Bake each tray of cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.
Lighter, Healthier Touches
You can adjust this recipe for a lighter version by using less butter or substituting with a butter alternative. For a healthier jam option, look for low-sugar or no-added-sugar jam. Using whole-grain flour instead of all-purpose flour can also make these cookies a bit healthier.
Perfect Pairings
Heart Jam Cookies are great with a cup of tea or coffee. They also pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra special treat. Serve them on a pretty plate for any gathering or celebration.
Common Stumbles to Avoid
One common mistake is not chilling the dough before baking. This step helps the cookies keep their shape, so don’t skip it! Also, be careful not to overbake. Keep an eye on the edges for that perfect golden brown color.
Storing Your Creation
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep fresh for about a week. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them after baking. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together!
A Final Warm Word
Making Heart Jam Cookies is not just about the final product; it’s about creating lovely memories in the kitchen. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do and share the joy of baking with someone you love.
Answering Your Questions
What do I need to prepare Heart Jam Cookies?
To prepare Heart Jam Cookies, you need flour, cornstarch, butter, sugars, an egg yolk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and raspberry jam. Make sure to have baking sheets and parchment paper ready for baking.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
To prevent the cookies from spreading too much, make sure to chill the dough before baking. This helps the fats firm up, keeping the cookies from flattening out in the oven.
Can I use a different jam in Heart Jam Cookies?
Absolutely! You can use any jam you like, such as strawberry, blueberry, or apricot. Just make sure it complements the cookie flavors and is easy to spread. Enjoy experimenting with different tastes!
Print
Heart Jam Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful Heart Jam Cookies are a sweet treat with raspberry jam nestled in buttery cookies, perfect for sharing on any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Line two 13×9 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
- In the large bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the butter with the sugars for 2-3 minutes until light and creamy.
- Scrape down the bowl, then mix in the egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Set the mixer to low speed and add the dry ingredients slowly into the wet mixture.
- Use a 1 tablespoon sized dough scoop to make dough balls; roll them smoothly in your palms.
- Place each dough ball 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Press a heart shape into the top of the cookie dough with your pinky finger.
- Chill the baking sheets in the freezer for 30 minutes or the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Heat the raspberry jam in a microwave-safe bowl for 10-15 seconds until slightly runny.
- Fill the heart indent with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges start to turn golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.
Notes
For a lighter version, use less butter or a butter alternative. Experiment with different jams for varied flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cookies, dessert, baking, jam cookies, Valentine’s Day, sweet treat