Looking for a cookie that is easy to make and always delicious? These Spritz Cookies with Jam are a must-try! They are simple to make and a fun project to get the kids involved with. Make them once, and they are sure to become a family tradition.
We love making cookies at our house!
Some favorites include Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies, Butter Spritz Cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and Chocolate Spritz Cookies.
These jam cookies are also a favorite. They are a classic Christmas cookie that can be enjoyed throughout the year. (Much like these Southern Pecan Pralines!)
They're easy to make, and you can personalize them with your favorite jams or spreads.
Here's a recipe for spritz cookies with jam that will be sure to please your friends and family!
Ingredient Notes
- Baking powder: Since this is a leavening agent to help the cookies rise, use fresh baking powder (rather than something that has been lurking in your pantry for over a year) for best results.
- Sugar: I used regular sugar; if you want to substitute an alternative sweetener, be aware that the results can vary.
- Jam: Choose your favorite jam or spread for the center of these jelly cookies. I used strawberry jam, but raspberry jam, apricot, or grape would also work. If you want to change it up, try using a chocolate spread or even Nutella!
Tips & Tricks
- You will want an unlined baking sheet for this recipe because it is too difficult to use a cookie press on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (The parchment paper tends to lift.) You can use a silicone mat if you like, but I haven’t found this necessary.
- Be sure to use room temperature butter and eggs to incorporate easily into the dough.
- If the dough for these thumbprint jam cookies is too soft, you can add a little more flour until it is the right consistency. If it's too stiff, add a little milk until it's the right consistency.
- I like to use a flower-shaped cookie press, but you can use any shape you want - just make sure there is room in the center for the jam.
- To get evenly shaped cookies, make sure that you keep the cookie press perpendicular to the baking sheet as you're pressing out the dough.
- If your cookies are sticking to the cookie press, try dipping the end of the press in flour before pressing out each of your jam-filled cookies.
- Use a small spoon (⅛ teaspoon) or piping bag to fill each cookie.
- Spritz cookies should only be baked until they are just set and starting to brown around the edges. If they are overcooked, they will be dry and crumbly.
Do I have to use a cookie press?
No, you can roll the dough out and use a cookie cutter to cut out any shape you like. Make sure the cookies are all of the same thickness so they bake evenly. You will also need to ensure that there is an indentation in the center for the jam.
Another alternative for making these cookies with jelly in the middle is to use a piping bag.
Tools Needed to Make Jam Thumbprint Cookie
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- Cookie Press (this is the one I use)
- Baking Sheet
- Small spoon or piping bag
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Cooling rack
How to Make Spritz Cookies with Jam
First, start by preheating your oven. You'll want to set it to 350° F.
Next, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and mix.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and sugar over medium speed for two minutes until it's light and fluffy.
Then add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
Turn the speed to low and add the dry ingredients a little at a time. You don't want to add it all at once, or else you'll have a big mess!
Beat until just blended.
Fill your cookie press with ¼ of the dough. If you don't have a cookie press, you can use a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
Press the cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Carefully spoon the jam into the center of the cookies, filling each indent. You can use a small spoon or ⅛ teaspoon measure.
Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
Spritz Cookies with Strawberry Jam
Equipment
- Cookie Press
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter at room temperature (2 sticks)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup jam - any flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar over medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
- Turn the speed to low and add the flour mixture, a little at a time.
- Beat until just blended.
- Fill your cookie press with ¼ of the dough, and press the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Carefully spoon the jam into the center of the cookies.
- Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until set.
- Allow to sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack using a spatula.
Phoebe says
These cookies make me feel so fancy! They're gorgeous and delicious!
Cami says
Wow i love these cookies! Look so delicious!
Roxie says
delicious!!!
Paula says
My favorite childhood cookie!! Homemade was even better than the store-bought cookies I loved as a child!! Thanks for this great recipe!
Natalie says
Loved baking these cookies with kids, they are delicious, thanks!
Wendy Polisi says
I am glad that you enjoyed it!
Evelyn says
I made these for a holiday party and they were SO popular! 6 people asked me for the recipe. They were so simple to make. The jam spread a bit in the oven, so I recommend pressing a slight indent into the center before adding jam. I used raspberry and apricot preserves and they were all delicious! Thank you so much!! <3
Wendy Polisi says
I am so glad that they were a hit! Happy Holidays!