Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies (Printable Version)

Buttery shortbread with tangy raspberry jam swirls. Crisp edges, soft centers perfect for teatime or sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Shortbread Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
04 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Filling and Topping

06 - 1/3 cup raspberry jam or preserves
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar for dusting, optional

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with powdered sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add vanilla extract and mix well to combine with the creamed butter mixture.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined without overworking the dough.
05 - Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a log approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.
06 - Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
07 - Using the back of a teaspoon, make a small indentation in the center of each cookie.
08 - Spoon approximately 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry jam into each indentation, taking care not to overfill.
09 - Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown.
10 - Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Once fully cooled, dust with granulated sugar if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The buttery shortbread practically dissolves on your tongue while the jam adds a bright, fruity contrast.
  • They look impressive but come together with just a handful of pantry staples and zero fussy techniques.
02 -
  • Do not skip the chilling step or the dough will be too soft to slice cleanly and the cookies will spread too much in the oven.
  • If your jam is very chunky, give it a quick stir before spooning it into the cookies so it sits neatly in the wells without spilling over.
03 -
  • Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking so the cookies brown evenly, especially if your oven has hot spots.
  • Freeze the shaped dough log for up to three months and slice off rounds whenever you want fresh baked cookies without the full prep.
Return