Description
Make these Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies with buttery shortbread and sweet jam for a festive, melt-in-your-mouth treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar plum jam (or your favorite fruit jam)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and salt, and mix until combined. Gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft to handle, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to firm it up.
- Roll the Dough: Once the dough is chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into your desired shapes. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Add the Jam: Using a small spoon or offset spatula, add a small dollop of sugar plum jam in the center of each cookie. Be sure not to overfill, as the jam may spread during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Once cooled, serve the cookies immediately or store them in an airtight container. They make a wonderful gift or a special treat for any occasion.