Delightfully buttery and sweet, these jam-filled cookies are perfect for any occasion. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture pairs beautifully with the bright burst of your favourite jam, making them irresistibly enjoyable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies combine simple pantry ingredients with a soft, rich dough and a vibrant swirl of jam—all without complicated steps. Whether you’re baking for a gathering or just craving a classic treat, they deliver comfort and flavor in every bite.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
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1 cup (225 g / 7.9 oz) unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) powdered sugar
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1 large egg, room temperature
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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1¾ cups (220 g / 7.8 oz) all-purpose flour, sifted
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¼ teaspoon salt
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¼ cup (60 ml) milk or heavy cream
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½ cup jam (your favourite – strawberry, raspberry, apricot, etc.)
directions
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Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
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Cream butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.
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Whisk flour and salt together; add to butter mixture alternately with milk until a soft dough forms.
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Shape dough into 1‑inch balls and space them about 2 inches apart on sheets.
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Press each ball gently in the centre to create an indentation for the jam.
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Fill each well with ~½ teaspoon of jam.
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Bake 12–15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden simplyrecipes.com+15theranchtable.com+15en.christinesrecipes.com+15allrecipes.compeople.comtheguardian.comfoodnetwork.com.
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Cool cookies on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack.
Servings and timing
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Yield: Makes approximately 36 cookies (about 3 dozen) allrecipes.com.
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Prep time: ~15 minutes;
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Bake time: 12–15 minutes;
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Total time: ~40–50 minutes, depending on batch size en.christinesrecipes.com+15allrecipes.com+15foodnetwork.com+15seriouseats.com+10theranchtable.com+10allrecipes.com+10.
storage/reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days biggerbolderbaking.com+3foodnetwork.com+3bhg.com+3. To enjoy them warm, gently heat in a low oven (300 °F / 150 °C) for a few minutes.
Variations
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Sparkling sugar cookies: Roll dough balls in granulated sugar before baking for a pretty, sparkly finish simplyscratch.com+6cloudykitchen.com+6facebook.com+6bhg.com+4theranchtable.com+4cloudykitchen.com+4.
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Mixed jam selection: Use different flavoured jams—strawberry, raspberry, apricot—for variety and color contrast simplyrecipes.com+2theranchtable.com+2cloudykitchen.com+2.
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No-chill quick cookies: Dough requires no chilling—bake straightaway! cloudykitchen.com.
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Sandwich style: Bake cookies plain then sandwich two together with a teaspoon of jam between, like jammy dodgers theguardian.com.
FAQs
Can I use other types of jam?
Yes—apricot, raspberry, strawberry, even fig or plum jam all work beautifully.
Should I chill the dough before baking?
No—this dough is soft and works well without chilling, though a brief chill in a warm environment won’t hurt bhg.com+10theranchtable.com+10simplyscratch.com+10.
What makes the cookie soft and buttery?
Creaming butter and powdered sugar thoroughly creates airiness and tenderness in the crumb .
How do I prevent jam from leaking?
Use only about ½ teaspoon jam per cookie and press indentations evenly. Rotate baking trays halfway through for even baking reddit.com.
Can I substitute almond extract?
Yes—adding ¼ tsp almond extract complements the butter flavor nicely (see jam heart cookie notes) simplyscratch.com.
Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?
Yes—bake-ready dough balls can be frozen and baked later; baked cookies freeze well too. Thaw at room temperature before serving .
Do I need to sift the flour?
Sifting helps with tender texture, but whisking after measuring works fine too.
Can I make sandwich-style cookies?
Absolutely—sandwich two baked cookies together with a bit of jam for a thicker, more indulgent treat .
Are these cookies suitable for children to bake?
Yes—the steps are straightforward and fun for kids, especially shaping and filling .
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes—substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, though texture may differ slightly.
Conclusion
These buttery jam cookies strike the perfect balance of simplicity, flavor, and charm. Soft, golden, and sweet with every spoonful of jam, they’re a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Whether you bake them straight or try sandwich versions, these cookies are sure to become a beloved classic.
Print
Butter Jam Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These butter jam cookies are the perfect balance of buttery richness and fruity sweetness. With their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a center filled with your favorite jam, they’re an easy, elegant treat for tea time or holiday baking.
Ingredients
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Unsalted butter – 1 cup (225g / 7.9oz), softened
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Powdered sugar – 1/2 cup (100g / 3.5oz)
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Egg – 1 large, room temperature
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Pure vanilla extract – 1 tsp
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All-purpose flour – 1 3/4 cups (220g / 7.8oz), sifted
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Salt – 1/4 tsp
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Milk or heavy cream – 1/4 cup (60ml)
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Jam – 1/2 cup (your favorite flavor: strawberry, raspberry, apricot, etc.)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
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Gradually mix in the sifted flour and salt, then add milk or cream to form a soft, pliable dough.
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Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
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Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in the center of each cookie.
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Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen jam.
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Bake for 12–15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
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Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
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You can use any jam flavor, or mix a few for a colorful batch.
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Cookies can be dusted with powdered sugar after baking for an extra touch.
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Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western