Why did my cookies spread and lose their shape?

The dough was most likely not cold enough when it went into the oven. Always refrigerate for the full 30 minutes and make sure your oven is fully preheated before the tray goes in. Chilled dough in a hot oven is the formula for cookies that hold their shape beautifully.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Let it soften at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling so it is pliable and easy to cut.

What jam works best for the filling?

Any good quality berry jam works beautifully here. Strawberry is our favorite but raspberry, mixed berry, and even apricot are all lovely. Just make sure the jam is not too runny or it will slide out of the sandwich instead of staying neatly in place.

Heart Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies You Will Adore

Name: Heart Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies The Most Beautiful Valentine Bake
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4.8 oz Unsalted Butter, softened and cubed; 2.1 oz Sugar; 1.25 tsp Vanilla Extract; 6.5 oz All-Purpose Flour 1/4 tsp Salt; 4.2 oz Powdered Sugar, sifted; 2.5 tbsp Strawberry Puree 1 tsp Butter 1 fl oz Milk 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice 6 oz Strawberry Jam

Description

Buttery, tender, and filled with strawberry jam and a gorgeous pink strawberry glaze, these Heart Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are the most beautiful and delicious cookies you will ever bake.

Ingredients

Scale

4.8 oz Unsalted Butter, softened and cubed

2.1 oz Sugar

1.25 tsp Vanilla Extract

6.5 oz All-Purpose Flour

1/4 tsp Salt

4.2 oz Powdered Sugar, sifted

2.5 tbsp Strawberry Puree

1 tsp Butter

1 fl oz Milk

1/2 tsp Lemon Juice

6 oz Strawberry Jam

Instructions

1. Sift powdered sugar and set aside. Cube butter and bring to room temperature.

2. Whisk flour and salt together in a medium bowl.

3. Cream butter and sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add vanilla and mix.

4. Add flour mixture and mix on low just until dough comes together. Do not overmix.

5. Roll dough between parchment paper to half a centimeter thick. Cut out heart shapes.

6. Transfer to lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.

7. Preheat oven to 335°F. Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes until just set and pale golden at edges.

8. Cool on tray 2 to 3 minutes then transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

9. Combine sifted powdered sugar, strawberry puree, butter, milk, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth.

10. Separate cookies into two equal groups. Dip one group into glaze, set on rack to dry.

11. Spread 1 tsp strawberry jam on each cookie from second group.

12. Press a glazed cookie and a jam cookie together to form sandwiches. Rest 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Never skip the refrigeration step for cookies that hold their shape.

Mix dough only until it just comes together to keep shortbread tender.

Always cool completely before glazing.

Use about 1 tsp jam per cookie for a neat sandwich.

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 96
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 20mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 13mg

Keywords: heart shaped strawberry shortbread cookies, strawberry shortbread, valentines day cookies, shortbread sandwich cookies