Description
These irresistible Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies offer a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a sweet plum-filled center, perfect for the holidays. They are elegant yet simple to make, combining classic shortbread with a festive fruity surprise.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the shortbread base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- For the filling:
- 1/2 cup (120ml) plum jam, sugar plum preserves, or any thick fruit spread
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add vanilla extract and mix. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together into a soft dough.
- Shape the cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and place them about 2 inches apart. Gently press your thumb into the center of each ball to make an indentation, but not all the way through.
- Add the plum filling: Using a small spoon or piping bag, fill each thumbprint with about ½ teaspoon of plum jam. Do not overfill.
- Bake: Bake for 12–14 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Finish: Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use high-quality butter for the best flavor.
- Do not overmix the dough to prevent toughness.
- If the dough is too soft, chill it for 15–20 minutes before shaping.
- Use a thick jam to prevent leakage.
- Avoid overbaking; cookies should be pale with lightly golden bottoms.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies, Holiday
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg