Description
Delightful Heart Thumbprint Cookies promise sweet romance for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Buttery shortbread nestles rich raspberry jam, creating charming little love messages you’ll adore sharing with cherished friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (226 grams)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Binding Ingredients:
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Filling:
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam (or your favorite flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture with smooth consistency.
- Incorporate egg yolk and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to create a unified base for the cookie dough.
- Gradually fold in flour, gently mixing until the ingredients form a cohesive, smooth dough that holds together easily.
- Craft delicate heart-shaped cookies by rolling small dough portions into compact balls, then gently flattening and pinching the top to create distinctive heart outlines.
- Create gentle indentations in the center of each heart-shaped cookie using your thumb or a small spoon, forming perfect wells for jam filling.
- Carefully spoon a small amount of jam into the center of each cookie, ensuring even distribution and aesthetic appeal.
- Transfer the prepared cookies to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet, enabling them to set and develop a delicate, crisp texture before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Customize Jam Selection experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, strawberry, or even marmalade to create unique flavor combinations that match personal preferences.
- Make Ahead Potential prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, allowing for convenient batch baking and stress-free preparation.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation swap traditional flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste or texture.
- Temperature Matters ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect dough consistency and maintain the cookie’s delicate structure during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg