The Best Jam Cookies Recipe for Sweet Homemade Moments

Soft, buttery jam cookies dance with vibrant fruity swirls that promise pure delight.

Delicate crumbs melt effortlessly on your tongue, creating sweet moments of pure comfort.

Childhood memories flood back with each delightful bite of these classic treats.

Bakers love how simple ingredients combine into magical little desserts that spark joy.

Homemade warmth radiates from these delectable morsels, inviting everyone to gather around.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies irresistible for afternoon tea or midnight snacking.

Jump into this delightful recipe and let the magic begin!

FAQs

• What type of jam works best for these cookies?

Choose seedless, high-quality fruit jams like strawberry, raspberry, or apricot. Smooth jams with intense fruit flavor create the most delicious results.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 1 month.

• How do I prevent the jam from spreading too much during baking?

Make a deeper thumb indent and use thick, less runny jam. Chill the cookie dough for 15 minutes before adding jam and baking to help maintain the shape.

• Are these cookies good for kids?

Absolutely! These cookies are kid-friendly, with a soft texture and sweet fruity center. Children often enjoy helping to make the thumb indentations and choose their favorite jam flavor.

Jam Cookies: Why These Fruity Delights Never Disappoint

• Prepare these delightful cookies in under an hour, making them ideal for spontaneous gatherings or last-minute dessert cravings.
• Experiment with different jam flavors like strawberry, raspberry, or apricot to match your mood and surprise taste buds with each batch.
• Enjoy a nostalgic twist on classic cookies that brings warmth and sweet memories to your table, appealing to both kids and adults.

The Essentials for Fruity Jam Cookies

• Butter: Essential for creating a rich, tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the cookie's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the cookie.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and soft.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Jam: Adds a fruity burst of flavor and creates a colorful center for the cookies.

How to Bake the Best Jam Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a perfect non-stick surface for your cookies.

Step 2: Whip Up the Sweet Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Cream these ingredients together until they become light, fluffy, and irresistibly smooth.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

Crack the eggs into the mixture one at a time, stirring after each addition.

Pour in the vanilla extract and blend until the mixture looks silky and uniform.

Step 4: Create the Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until everything is combined.

Don’t overmix!

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Scoop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart.

Use your thumb to create a cute little well in the center of each cookie.

Step 6: Fill with Fruity Goodness

Carefully spoon your favorite jam into the thumb-pressed centers of the cookies.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown while the centers remain soft and tender.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy these fruity, melt-in-your-mouth treats with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea!

Handy Tips for Perfect Fruity Jam Cookies

• Select high-quality, homemade or premium store-bought jam for the most vibrant flavor and best texture in your cookies.
• Gently press your thumb into cookie dough to create a shallow well, ensuring jam won't overflow during baking.
• Use a small spoon to carefully add jam, avoiding overfilling and potential burning at cookie edges.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round shape.
• Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry to create unique flavor combinations.

Storing Jam Cookies to Keep Them Soft

• Place cooled jam cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Store in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring cookies remain crisp and enjoyable in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes, restoring their original crisp edges and soft centers with minimal effort.

Top Pairings for Fruity Jam Cookies

• Pair Sweet Dessert Wines: Select late-harvest Riesling or Moscato to complement the jam cookies' fruity sweetness, enhancing the delicate flavor profile with their light, sugary notes.
• Create Creamy Coffee Companions: Brew a smooth cappuccino or latte with a hint of vanilla to balance the cookies' richness, providing a warm and comforting contrast to the jammy centers.
• Match Herbal Tea Elegance: Choose chamomile or lavender tea to refresh the palate, offering a subtle floral backdrop that harmonizes beautifully with the cookie's buttery texture and fruity jam.
• Serve Sparkling Fruit Mocktails: Mix elderflower cordial with sparkling water and fresh berries, creating a vibrant non-alcoholic beverage that echoes the jam's fruity essence and cleanses the taste buds.

Creative Jam Cookie Flavors to Explore

• Gluten-Free Jam Cookies: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and rice flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains a soft, tender texture.
• Vegan Jam Alternatives: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs, and select plant-based jam like chia seed or fruit preserves without gelatin.
• Low-Sugar Jam Cookies: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and choose low-sugar fruit spreads to reduce overall sugar content while keeping rich flavor.
• Nutty Jam Cookies: Incorporate finely chopped almonds or pecans into the dough for added crunch and nutty complexity, complementing the sweet jam center.

The Best Jam Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

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

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Description

Sweet, buttery jam cookies bring delightful memories of grandma’s kitchen, where her legendary Jam Cookies delighted family gatherings. Crisp edges, tender centers, and dollops of fruity jam create a nostalgic treat you’ll want to share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Dairy and Protein):

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar, packed

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavor and Filling:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup (240 grams) your favorite fruit jam (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Blend butter and sugars in a mixing bowl until creamy and aerated.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract until mixture becomes uniform.
4. Sift together dry ingredients in a separate container, then gently fold into the wet mixture until just incorporated.
5. Arrange dough portions on prepared sheets, spacing them evenly, and create a gentle well in each cookie’s center using your thumb.
6. Carefully fill each indentation with vibrant jam, ensuring even distribution.
7. Place in preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for golden edges and soft centers.
8. Remove from oven and let cookies rest momentarily before transferring to cooling racks, allowing them to set and develop a delicate texture.

Notes

• Choose jam with intense fruit flavors like raspberry or strawberry for a more vibrant taste experience.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• Experiment with different jam types like apricot or mixed berry to create unique flavor combinations.
• Use a small spoon or the back of a measuring spoon to create precise, uniform indentations in cookie centers.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg