Description
Creamy butter meets pure vanilla powder for the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth shortbread hearts. A perfect winter treat! Full mixing instructions and nutrition breakdown inside.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla powder
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam (seedless recommended)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk and alcohol-free vanilla extract until well combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Step 3: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. To create the heart indentation, use the rounded end of a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to press down firmly in the center of each ball, slightly angling the spoon to create a gentle V-shape at the top of the indentation to mimic the curve of a heart.
- Step 4: Bake the cookies for 8 minutes. Remove the sheets from the oven and carefully fill each heart indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam. Return the cookies to the oven and bake for an additional 4 to 6 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the jam is bubbling slightly.
- Step 5: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Once completely cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar for a winter effect before serving.
Notes
- To prevent the cookies from spreading and losing their heart shape, chill the rolled dough balls for 15 minutes before the initial bake.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, using parchment between layers if you’ve applied the final powdered sugar dusting.
- Serve immediately after the powdered sugar dusting alongside a warm mug of spiced tea or rich hot chocolate to complete the cozy winter theme.
- If the cookies seem a bit stale, warm them for 3-5 minutes in a 250°F (120°C) oven to refresh the buttery base, taking care not to let the jam scorch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 25g)
- Calories: 135
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Protein: 12g