Description
These Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. With a buttery shortbread base, a sweet strawberry jam filling, and a charming heart-shaped design, these cookies are as adorable as they are delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed
- pink or red sanding sugar (optional)
Filling:
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Prepare Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two portions, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. For half the cookies, cut a smaller heart in the center to create a window. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Bake: Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just barely golden. Let cool completely.
- Assemble: Spread a small amount of strawberry jam on the flat side of each whole cookie. Top with a cut-out cookie and gently press to sandwich. Optionally, sprinkle with sanding sugar or dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- You can substitute raspberry jam or lemon curd for a fun twist.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
