I absolutely adore making and sharing this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe whenever I want to brighten someone’s day or just treat myself to something truly delightful. These cookies have this irresistible buttery, tender base with a sweet, fruity jam center nestled in a perfect heart shape—it’s like little bites of love! I love how the simple ingredients come together effortlessly to create a charming, classic treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll instantly become one of your favorite go-to cookie recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Heart Jam Cookies Recipe
What really draws me to this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe is the beautiful contrast of flavors and textures. The cookie itself is beautifully buttery and tender thanks to the cornstarch mixed in with the flour, giving it that melt-in-your-mouth feel. Then there’s the pop of bright, sweet jam right in the center—like a surprise waiting for you with every bite. The vanilla and rich egg yolks add a lovely depth that makes these cookies stand out from your average jam-filled treat.
Another thing I love is how straightforward this recipe is. If I’m honest, sometimes I avoid baking when a recipe seems complicated or too time-consuming, but this one strikes the perfect balance. The dough is easy to handle, chilling it helps with shaping those perfect heart indentations, and the baking time is quick. Plus, these cookies are incredibly versatile and work beautifully for holidays, parties, or simple weekday treats. I always get compliments whenever I bring a batch along!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this recipe are delightfully simple but essential for achieving that perfect heart jam cookie texture and flavor. Each component plays a distinct role, whether it’s for softness, sweetness, or that golden color.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for our cookies while keeping them tender.
- Cornstarch: This little addition is a game changer for ultra-soft, delicate texture.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts the overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds richness and a buttery flavor essential for these cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create that lovely lightness when creamed with butter.
- Egg yolks (large): Bring moisture and contribute to the cookie’s tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warm, aromatic notes that elevate the flavor.
- Strawberry or raspberry jam/preserves: The star filling—choose your favorite for a bright, fruity center.
Directions
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and kosher salt until they are completely combined. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed for a consistent dough texture.
Step 2: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Then add the granulated sugar and continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this is key for a tender cookie.
Step 3: Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix on medium speed until all the ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a smooth batter.
Step 4: On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture a little at a time, mixing just until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure the flour is fully incorporated but avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Cover the mixer bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour. This chill time helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and helps the cookies keep their shape during baking.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Preparing the baking sheets now means you’re ready once your dough is shaped.
Step 7: Using a medium cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, scoop out the dough and roll each portion into a smooth ball with your hands. Flatten the balls slightly and place them about one inch apart on the cookie sheets—12 per sheet works perfectly.
Step 8: Using the end of a small spoon or your thumb, gently press a heart shape into the center of each cookie ball. Be delicate so you don’t break the dough, but make a nice cavity for the jam. Fill each heart indentation with approximately half a teaspoon of your chosen jam or preserves. Be careful not to overfill to avoid spilling during baking.
Step 9: Pop your trays of cookies into the freezer for 10 minutes to chill again. This extra chill helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. If your cookie sheets don’t fit in the freezer, transfer the cookies carefully to parchment-lined plates, then back to the cookie trays before baking.
Step 10: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are a lovely golden brown. Once baked, transfer the sheets to cooling racks and let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes on the pans before moving them completely to the racks to cool.
Servings and Timing
This Heart Jam Cookies Recipe yields approximately 24 delightful cookies—perfect for sharing with friends or family. The prep time, including chilling the dough, takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, but the active time spent mixing and shaping is about 20 minutes. Baking the cookies takes around 12 to 14 minutes per batch, and including cooling time, you’re looking at just under 40 minutes of actual hands-on cooking time. The resting phases are essential for the perfect texture, so I don’t skip them!
How to Serve This Heart Jam Cookies Recipe
When I serve these jam-filled treats, I like to keep the presentation as sweet and simple as the cookies themselves. I often arrange them on a pretty platter, making sure the heart-shaped jam centers are facing up for that extra visual charm. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add a lovely touch if I’m feeling festive. They’re perfect served at room temperature, which allows the cookie’s tender crumb and the jam’s burst of flavor to shine through beautifully.
For pairing, I find these cookies are simply irresistible alongside a cup of tea or a fresh fruit-infused water—the fruity jam centers complement herbal and floral teas exceptionally well. If I’m in the mood for a richer pairing, a light dessert wine like a Moscato or a sparkling rosé can make the occasion feel extra special. I also love bringing these to holiday gatherings, baby showers, or even a casual weekend brunch because they bring a lovely pop of homemade charm to any table.
Since these cookies are moderately delicate, I recommend portioning them out as individual servings—one or two cookies per person is just right to enjoy that perfect combination of buttery dough and sweet jam. They’re great as an afternoon pick-me-up or wrapped in a little cellophane as sweet gifts for friends and neighbors.
Variations
One of the things I love most about this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe is how adaptable it is. If you want to try something different, swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend works surprisingly well to keep the cookies tender while making them safe for gluten-sensitive friends. Just remember to check that your cornstarch is gluten-free too.
If you’re after a vegan take, replacing the butter with a high-quality vegan butter and swapping the egg yolks for a flax egg or commercially available egg replacer can work. I recommend using a vegan-friendly vanilla extract and double-checking your jam is made without gelatin. The texture changes slightly but the flavor stays just as lovely.
For flavor twists, I sometimes substitute the strawberry or raspberry jam with apricot preserves or even a tangy lemon curd for something punchier. You can also experiment with adding a hint of almond extract in the dough for an extra nutty sweetness, which pairs beautifully with the fruit filling. While the classic bake is the best way to achieve the perfect tender texture, I’ve also tried chilling the shaped cookies longer and even refrigerating overnight before baking to deepen the flavors and firmness a bit.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers, I store these heart jam cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I like to layer them between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together or lose their beautiful shape. Stored this way, they generally stay fresh for about 4 to 5 days. If your kitchen is very warm, the jam can soften a bit, so keeping them in a cooler spot helps maintain the best texture.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze these cookies! To do so, I recommend freezing them unbaked after shaping and filling with jam, as they hold together better that way. Place the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined tray in the freezer until firm, about 1 to 2 hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen this way, they keep wonderfully for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, just bake from frozen adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
If you want to refresh baked cookies, I gently warm them in a low oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This helps revive their tenderness without drying them out. Avoid using the microwave for reheating as it can cause the jam to heat unevenly and make the cookie soggy or overly hot in spots. Warming them just a bit brings back that freshly baked feeling I love.
FAQs
Can I use any type of jam for this cookie recipe?
Absolutely! I find strawberry and raspberry classics work beautifully, but you can use any thick jam or preserves you love. Just avoid very runny jams as they may spread too much during baking.
Why do you add cornstarch to the flour?
Cornstarch helps give the cookies a tender, delicate texture by softening the protein structure in the flour. It’s a small addition that makes a noticeable difference to the crumb.
Can I make these cookies vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, with ingredient swaps! Use gluten-free flour blends for gluten-free versions, and vegan butter plus egg replacers for a vegan-friendly batch. Just expect a slight change in texture but still delicious results.
How do I create the heart indentations without breaking the dough?
I suggest using the end of a small spoon or your thumb gently pressed just enough to create a shallow heart-shaped cavity. Don’t press too hard—chilling the dough first helps it hold shape without cracking.
Can I prepare these cookies in advance?
Definitely! The dough chills well and can be held in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before shaping, or frozen unbaked as explained above. This makes them great for prepping ahead for special events.
Conclusion
I truly hope you enjoy making and savoring this Heart Jam Cookies Recipe as much as I do. It’s a heartwarming treat that’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat, perfect for sharing with loved ones or indulging on a cozy afternoon. Give it a try—I’m confident these little hearts will quickly win a special place in your baking repertoire!
