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Sugar Plum Star Shortbread Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 113 reviews
  • Author: Harper
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Description

Delight in these festive Sugar Plum Star Shortbread Cookies featuring a buttery, spiced dough with hints of orange zest and warm spices, topped with a luscious layer of raspberry or sugar plum jam and a sprinkle of coarse sugar. Perfect for holiday celebrations or as a charming treat any time of year.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Dough

  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp orange zest

Filling and Topping

  • ½ cup raspberry jam (or sugar plum jam, if available)
  • Coarse sugar for topping

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes. This process incorporates air for a tender texture.
  2. Add spices and zest: Mix in orange zest, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt until fully combined to infuse the dough with warm, citrusy flavors.
  3. Incorporate flour: Gradually add all-purpose flour while mixing until the dough forms and becomes soft and slightly crumbly but holds together.
  4. Chill dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes, allowing it to firm up enough to roll easily.
  5. Preheat oven and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  6. Roll and cut shapes: On a floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
  7. Arrange on baking sheets: Carefully transfer the cut-out star cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly to allow for slight spreading.
  8. Apply jam filling: Using a small spoon or a food-safe paintbrush, gently spread a thin layer of raspberry or sugar plum jam in the center of each cookie, making sure to stay inside the edges to avoid spillover.
  9. Add coarse sugar topping: Lightly sprinkle coarse sugar over each cookie for a sparkling, sweet finish and added crunch.
  10. Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color, signaling doneness.
  11. Cool completely: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool fully on wire racks to firm up before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough is important to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie shapes.
  • If sugar plum jam is unavailable, raspberry jam is a delicious substitute that complements the spices well.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • For an extra festive touch, you can dust the baked cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Sugar Plum Star Shortbread Cookies, holiday cookies, spiced shortbread, raspberry jam cookies, festive cookies, star-shaped cookies

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Find it online: https://harperellington.com/sugar-plum-star-shortbread-cookies-recipe/