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Heart-shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are a delightful and visually charming treat, perfect for special occasions like Valentine's Day or as a sweet surprise for loved ones. With their buttery shortbread base, strawberry glaze, and jam filling, these cookies are as tasty as they are beautiful.
Let’s start by exploring the key ingredients that come together to create these delicious cookies.
Ingredients
- Flour: The base of the shortbread dough, providing structure and a crumbly texture.
- Butter: Softened unsalted butter is the key to creating a tender and rich shortbread dough.
- Caster Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and helps create the perfect balance of flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor, adding warmth and depth to the cookies.
- Strawberry Jam: A sweet and fruity filling that adds a pop of flavor between the shortbread cookies.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are used to make a deliciously tangy glaze, giving the cookies a burst of flavor and color.
- Icing Sugar: Used to make the glaze, providing a smooth, sweet finish.
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together 125 g unsalted butter (softened), 60 g caster sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 180 g all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to form a dough.
- Step 3: Roll and Shape the Cookies
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 cm thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out heart shapes and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Step 4: Bake the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 170°C (335°F). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before decorating.
- Step 5: Make the Strawberry Glaze
- In a small bowl, mix together 110 g icing sugar, 2 hulled and mashed strawberries, and 1 teaspoon melted butter until smooth. The glaze should have a thick but pourable consistency.
- Step 6: Assemble the Cookies
- Dip half of each heart-shaped cookie into the strawberry glaze and allow it to set. Once the glaze is dry, spread 170 g strawberry jam between two cookies to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving Suggestions: These Heart-shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are perfect for serving at special occasions like Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or afternoon tea. Their delicate texture and sweet flavor pair well with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
- Leftover Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If the cookies have been filled with jam, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator to keep the filling fresh. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies (without the jam filling) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature, then fill with jam and glaze as desired.
Helpful Notes
- Customize the Jam: If you don’t have strawberry jam on hand, you can substitute with raspberry, apricot, or any other fruit jam for a different flavor twist.
- Decorating Tip: For a more festive look, sprinkle the glaze with colored sugar or edible glitter before it sets. This adds an extra sparkle to the cookies, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough before baking is essential to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also helps maintain the heart shape during baking.
Tips from well-known chefs
- Martha Stewart: Always use high-quality butter for shortbread cookies to achieve the best flavor and texture.
- Ina Garten: Add a pinch of lemon zest to the cookie dough for an extra layer of brightness and flavor that complements the strawberry filling.
- Mary Berry: Make sure to roll out the dough evenly to ensure all the cookies bake at the same rate and turn out perfectly golden.