Shortbread Jam Tarts
Ingredients
- 1 c2 tablespoons unsalted butter
at room temperature
- 1 tsplemon zest
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- ½ cpowdered sugar
- 1 ½ call-purpose flour
- 1 tspbaking powder
- ⅛ tspsalt
- ½ cto 3/4 cup cornstarch
see note below
- ½ cmore or less raspberry jam or nutella
- ½ cor so sliced almonds
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
- 2
Have ready paper muffin cups (many readers have a hard time taking these jam tarts out of the muffin pans, so use paper cups for easier handling). Or butter/spray the muffin pans. I have used both with good results.
- 3
In a large bowl mix soft butter, zest and vanilla.
- 4
Add sifted powdered sugar and mix well.
- 5
Add sifted flour, baking powder, and salt in 2 parts and mix well. Use a spatula or wooden spoon so you don't overwork the dough.
- 6
Add sifted cornstarch and mix well until you have a soft dough (see comment above).
- 7
It is soft and not sticky. You can watch the video in the post for details on how the dough should be.
- 8
Make walnut-sized balls or use a measuring spoon to fill muffin cups, and pat them onto the paper cups halfway up the sides.
- 9
Carefully, with a spoon, fill each cup with raspberry jam or Nutella.
- 10
Top with some sliced almonds and bake for 15-20 minutes until slightly golden and dry.
- 11
Let them cool for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack and run a smooth-bladed knife to ensure they didn't stick to the sides. Let them cool and remove them from the pan. They are very soft, so help yourself with the knife and your hands.
- 12
Serve with a bit of powdered sugar sifted on top.
Shortbread Jam Tarts
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About this Recipe
Looking for that perfect sweet treat that's both elegant and utterly comforting? These Shortbread Jam Tarts are the answer, delivering crumbly, buttery goodness that makes them ideal for any gathering or a cozy moment. Often called 'jam cakes' or 'cookie cups', they're a true crowd-pleaser.
What makes these Shortbread Jam Tarts stand out is their unique texture and delightful presentation. They are truly like filled shortbread, baked into charming individual cookie cups using muffin tins. This method ensures a perfect crust-to-filling ratio and contributes to the "crumbly and sweet" description, setting them apart as one of the best cookie cups you can make.
Anticipate a delicate, sweet experience with every bite. The shortbread base melts in your mouth, offering a rich, buttery foundation. This perfectly complements the bright, fruity tang of raspberry jam or the decadent, nutty richness of a Nutella filling. The subtle hint of lemon zest and vanilla adds a layer of sophisticated flavor to this sweet treat, making them an irresistible dessert.
Easily adapt these shortbread treats to your taste! The recipe provides the versatility of using either classic raspberry jam for a burst of fruitiness or a rich Nutella filling for a chocolate-hazelnut twist. You can also adjust the amount of cornstarch within the suggested range, which impacts the final crumb texture.
These versatile Shortbread Jam Tarts are perfect for your holiday baking, delightful for dessert platters, or simply enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. They are truly a total crowd-pleaser, sure to bring smiles to any occasion.