Shortbread Cookies With Jam (Split-Second Cookies)

Name: Shortbread Cookies With Jam (Split-Second Cookies)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter (softened to room temperature); 2/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 egg (room temperature); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup raspberry jam/jelly or preserves (or any kind of jam that you like)

38 comments
December 9, 2021
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Split-Second Cookies are buttery and tender shortbread cookies with jam. They are so soft and buttery they melt in your mouth. Not only are they absolutely delicious, they are so simple to make.

Shortbread Cookies With Jam
(Split-Second Cookies)

There are many varieties of recipes for shortbread cookies with jam. I think this one is so wonderful because they are just so simple to make, look beautiful and taste just right. My cousin shared this recipe with me many years ago, and we have been making it ever since. They are called Split-Second Cookies. I imagine it’s because of how easy they are to make.

During the weeks before Christmas, the smell of baking cookies wafts through most houses, there are cookie exchange parties and lots of treats in offices. Even families that hardly ever bake during the rest of the year, find themselves congregating in the kitchen and pulling out the butter, flour and eggs. We’ve all seen the sappy commercials and cheesy Christmas movies with a grandma in the kitchen baking with her grandkids and all the other similar scenes. It’s so predictable, but gives you a cozy, warm feeling anyway:). I’m such a sucker for corny things like that.

They are the best tender, buttery cookies and the tart jam complements them perfectly. If I only had to make one type of cookie, this is the one I would choose. (If you want to make soft cut out sugar cookies, check out this recipe. They are great to make with kids.)

Watch the Video of How To Make Split Second Cookies, Shortbread Cookies With Jam

Ingredients:

butter, softened to room temperature
granulated sugar
egg, room temperature
vanilla extract
- you can also use almond extract instead of the vanilla
all-purpose flour
- I haven’t tested this recipe with any other type of flours. I use unbleached all purpose flour.
baking powder
salt
- a little bit of salt is a must in cookies:).
raspberry jelly/jam or preserves
- you can use most any other jam instead. I like using strawberry jam too.

How to Make Shortbread Cookies With Jam

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup later, or you can just use an ungreased cookie sheet.
Cream the butter and sugar until pale yellow and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla, mixing to combine.
Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl, then add to the bater, just until the flour is incorporated.
Shape the dough and fill with jam.
- Divide the batter into 4 pieces.
- Roll each of the 4 pieces into a log, then flatten into a 12″ x 3/4″ rectangle.
- Make an indentation in the center of each log.
- Fill the center with 2 Tablespoons of jam.
- Repeat with the 3 remaining portions of cookie dough.
Bake the cookies.
- Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool the cookies for about 5 minutes, then cut them on a diagonal into 3/4 inch pieces, while still warm.
- You will have 55-65 cookies.

Step by step tutorial for shortbread cookies with jam in the center, sliced into pieces.

Helpful Tips For the Best Shortbread Cookies With Jam

How to make shortbread cookies really soft and tender?

1. Use room temperature butter and egg. If they are too cold, you won’t be able to whip them up well. If the egg is too cold and you add it to the creamed butter and sugar, it will curdle and look like buttermilk.
2. Don’t overmix the cookie dough. After adding the flour, don’t mix the batter too long, or the cookies will be tough.

How to prevent shortbread cookies from spreading too much in the oven?

Make sure to use room temperature ingredients. The butter shouldn’t be too cold or too melted. Sometimes, the cookies will not only spread too much and be flat when baking, but the butter will leak.

How Long Should You Bake the Cookies?

It’s so important to make sure you don’t over bake these cookies, or they won’t be tender. I usually bake them for 15 minutes only. You might want to start checking them at 10-12 minutes. The cookies should still be light in color, NOT golden brown, and should just start to get golden around the bottom edges only. (I baked some for 17 minutes, and they were already overcooked.)

How To Prep Ahead and Store Shortbread Cookies:

Make the cookie dough in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm at room temperature for about 15 minutes before shaping.
Store the baked cookies at room temperature, covered lightly so as not too break them, for 3-5 days. However, the cookies are best the first 1-2 days.

Can You Freeze the Cookies?

Yes. You can freeze the cookie dough up to 3 months, wrapped really well. Thaw before shaping and baking.
You can also freeze the baked cookies. However, since the cookies are really tender, don’t stack too many of them on top of each other or they will break easily.