Description
These adorable shortbread cookies capture both the heart and taste buds, making them the perfect addition to any celebration—especially Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup butter (about 170 g), softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ~1/4 cup jam of your choice (raspberry, strawberry, cherry, etc.) for filling
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 175 °C (350 °F). While the oven is heating, gather all your ingredients and tools to create a smooth workflow while baking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and the light brown sugar. Use a hand or stand mixer to cream them together until the mixture appears light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it helps incorporate air, making your cookies tender and delicious.
- Next, crack the egg into the bowl and add the vanilla extract. Mix these ingredients until they are well combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavors throughout the cookie dough. The wet ingredients should meld together to create a smooth mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could lead to tougher cookies. The dough should be cohesive and slightly sticky.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough into balls roughly the size of a tablespoon. Place them on your lined baking sheet, leaving some space between each dough ball to allow for spreading.
- Now it’s time to create that signature “thumbprint.” Use your finger or the back of a spoon to gently press down in the center of each dough ball. This will create a small indentation to hold your jam filling later.
- Carefully spoon a small amount of jam into each indentation. Be sure not to overfill; too much jam can overflow during baking and create a mess. A teaspoon or small dollop should be just perfect!
- Place your baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on the cookies; they should have lightly golden edges when they are done. This baking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the jam to bubble slightly.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps them set perfectly and enhances their flavor.
Notes
Ensure your butter is softened but not melted for optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Protein: 1 g