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Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie recipe

Melt in your mouth Shortbread Cookie recipe with a buttery base, filled with your favorite jam preserve served up in bite-sized slices!
Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center
When it comes to Christmas, I always think of the desserts, cookies, and smells. Nothing says Christmas like delicious shortbread cookies! So I’m going to share with you today our favorite tried, tested Shortbread cookies recipe!
This Shortbread Cookie recipe has been tested and approved by the kids, neighbors in multiple neighborhoods over the years, cousins, aunts, siblings, parents, grandparents, so on and so forth. Let’s just say these Shortbread cookie logs are a hit no matter the time of year! But they do especially well around Christmas!
Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center

Melt in your mouth Shortbread Cookies

I grew up knowing these cookies as split second cookies, but they are more commonly called Shortbread cookies with jam. I don’t know why the difference, but I love the name Split second cookies better than Shortbread cookies.

Sadly,the name of these cookies are not a representation of how long it takes to make them (split-second)- although they are pretty easy to make. But I think the reason for the alternate name is that once they are finished baking, they only last a split-second before they are all eaten! Oh, these are delicious! And with one simple ingredient alteration; you can have a large variety of different cookies to please just about anyone!

I originally got this recipe from my Cousin Tapria many years ago. I don’t know where she discovered it, but I do know that she brought these cookies to a family reunion a few years back and everyone was in a roar over them. So we all had to get a copy of the recipe.

After my first taste, I KNEW these would be the Santa Cookies this year!

They also make great cookies for the Christmas Treat plates!

As I mentioned, all you have to do is change one ingredient to make these completely unique for your family. The Jam center! Change out the Jam and you experience a whole new shortbread cookie log! The kids love choosing their own jams to add, and they can be great helpers by filling up the cookie with the jam or jellies.

Shortbread cookie logs

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.

Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center
Divide the dough into four equal portions. Then take each portion and roll it into a log the length of a cookie sheet. You can fit up to 3-4 logs on a regular cookie sheet. I’m a huge advocate of using parchment paper in my baking, as it makes for much easier cleanup and prevents any sticking to the pan.
Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center
Now make the cookie dough into a hallowed log shape by placing your finger in the middle of the roll and indent the log.
Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center
Use your other hand to help hold up the sides to make a deep indention with high sides. It is easier if you can indent with one finger and hold up the side with the other hand at the same time.
Gently spoon your favorite Jam, Jelly or spread into the indention of the log. Be sure not to overfill or it will make a mess when baking or cutting.
Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center
Bake the cookies at 350 Degrees for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. Check at 15 min.
Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center
When they are finished baking, remove from oven and allow to cool for 12 minutes. Then cut diagonally into 3/4-in slices. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam centerNow watch these cookies disappear in a slip second! And because they go so fast, Yes you can double this recipe without issue. It is crucial I double the recipe when I make these otherwise we won’t have any the next day! They go that fast!
Yield:

Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center

light and fluffy shortbread cookie log that melts in your mouth with a sweet jam center

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 c butter, softened
  • 2/3 c sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 c flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Your favorite jam/jelly Spread

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  3. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  4. Divide dough into four equal portions. (I doubled the recipe, so I was making 8 portions)
  5. Take each portion and roll it into a log the length of the Cookie sheet. You can fit up to 3-4 "logs" on a regular cookie sheet.
  6. Now make the cookie dough into a shape by placing your finger in the middle of the roll and indent the log.
  7. Use your other hand to help hold up the sides of the "canoe" to make a deep indention with high sides. It is easier if you can indent with one finger and hold up the side with the other hand at the same time.
  8. Gently spoon your favorite Jam, Jelly or spread into the indention of the canoe.
  9. Be sure not to overfill or it will make a mess when baking or cutting.
  10. (I've used Strawberry-Rhubarb jam and Blueberry-Rhubarb jam for the Holiday treats. But it is also delicious with Strawberry, Raspberry, Peach, or Apricot jams, and even Apple butter. This is where your imagination will create your variety)
  11. Bake the cookies at 350 Degrees for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden.
  12. Check at 15 min.
  13. When they are finished baking, remove from oven and let cool for 12 minutes.
  14. Then cut diagonally into 3/4-in slices.
  15. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe originally published Dec 20, 2011, but has been recently updated after more testing.

Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookie Logs with Jam center

Some favorite Jams we have used to fill these Shortbread Cookie logs include:

Raspberry Rhubarb Jam

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Peach Honey Jam

Maple Peach Jam 

Blueberry Preserves 

Apricot Jam

Apple Butter

If you are more of a chocolate lover you can also try out our Chocolate cookies with Coconut/Chocolate Chip Cheesecake filling.

Shortbread Cookies Recipe with Jam Center, AKA Split Second cookies, Christmas Cookie favorite

What Jam do you like in your  Shortbread Cookies recipe?

 

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