Looking for a sweet treat that’s perfect for any occasion? These heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies are the answer! With a buttery shortbread base, a fruity strawberry filling, and a sweet glaze, these cookies are as delicious as they are adorable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great Flavors: The combination of buttery shortbread, sweet strawberry jam, and a strawberry glaze is a flavor explosion in every bite.
- Quick Prep Time: With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can have these cookies ready in no time.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just want a sweet treat, these heart-shaped cookies are sure to impress.
Ingredient Notes:
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and flavor to the shortbread.
- Caster sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
- Plain flour (all-purpose): Forms the base of the shortbread dough.
- Fine salt: Balances the sweetness of the cookies.
- Powdered icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar): Creates a smooth glaze for the cookies.
- Strawberry puree: Adds a fruity flavor to the glaze.
- Milk: Helps adjust the consistency of the glaze.
- Strawberry jam: Provides a sweet and tangy filling for the cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, caster sugar, and vanilla extract until pale and light.
- Sift in the plain flour and add the salt, then mix until the dough comes together.
- Roll out the dough, cut out heart-shaped cookies, and chill before baking.
- Bake the cookies until golden, then let them cool before glazing and sandwiching with strawberry jam.
Helpful Tips:
- Chill the dough if it becomes too soft while rolling.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter for a festive touch.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Substitute the strawberry jam with your favorite fruit filling for a different flavor profile.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use cold butter for a flakier texture in the shortbread.
- Don’t overmix the dough to prevent tough cookies.
- Experiment with different glaze flavors by swapping out the strawberry puree.
Serving Suggestions:
These heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies are perfect on their own or paired with a cup of tea or coffee. They also make a lovely addition to a dessert platter for a party or celebration.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven for a few minutes to refresh their texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze these cookies?
- Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
- You can, but adjust the amount of salt in the recipe accordingly.
- Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make the dough in advance and bake the cookies when ready to enjoy.
Conclusion:
These heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies are a delightful treat that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Whether you’re baking them for a special someone or just want a sweet indulgence, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face. Give them a try and let us know how much you love them!
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Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies are a delightful treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. The buttery shortbread cookies are filled with a sweet strawberry jam center and topped with a luscious strawberry glaze.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 125 g unsalted butter, room temperature
- 60 g caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 180 g plain flour (all-purpose)
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
Strawberry Glaze:
- 110 g powdered icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- 2 tablespoon strawberry puree (2 large strawberries hulled and mashed with a fork)
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
- 30 ml milk
Filling:
- 170 g strawberry jam
Instructions
- Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract: Cream together the butter, caster sugar, and vanilla extract until pale and light.
- Mix in flour and salt: Sift in the flour and salt, then mix until dough forms.
- Roll and cut out cookies: Roll out the dough, cut out heart shapes, and chill before baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake until golden, then cool on a wire rack.
- Make the glaze: Mix powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and melted butter until smooth.
- Assemble the cookies: Dip tops in glaze, fill with jam, and sandwich together.
Notes
- For a stronger strawberry flavor, add a drop of strawberry extract to the glaze.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
