These Melt In Your Mouth Cherry Shortbread Cookies are soft, buttery, and packed with sweet cherry flavor. They just melt away, leaving you wanting more! 🍒
I love how simple they are to make—just mix, shape, and bake! They’re perfect for sharing or hiding away for yourself. No judgment here if you decide to keep them all! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted butter is best here. It lets you control the saltiness in your cookies. If you’re in a pinch, you can use salted butter, just skip the added salt in the recipe.
Powdered Sugar: This sugar gives the cookies a light texture. Granulated sugar can be used, but it will create a slightly different crunch. I recommend sticking with powdered for that melt-in-your-mouth feel!
Cherry Preserves: Cherry is the star here, but feel free to swap in other fruit preserves, like raspberry or strawberry, if you prefer. You can also use fresh cherries if they’re in season—just chop them and gently cook them down with some sugar.
Flour: All-purpose flour is perfect for shortbread. If you need a gluten-free option, look for a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just ensure it has a good binding agent!
How Do I Ensure My Cookies Are Perfectly Buttery and Melt-in-Your-Mouth?
The key to the right texture lies in how you cream the butter and sugar. Start with room temperature butter; it should feel soft but not melting. Cream it with powdered sugar until it’s fluffy—this introduces air which keeps the cookies light.
- Mix the butter and sugar on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes.
- When adding the flour, mix it in on low speed until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
Lastly, watch the baking time! Checking a few minutes before the timer goes off helps ensure they don’t overbake. They should be golden on the edges but remain pale on top.
Melt In Your Mouth Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves or cherry jam
- Optional: granulated sugar for rolling
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cookie recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 12-15 minutes to bake. Make sure to allow an additional 5 minutes for cooling on the baking sheet before transferring cookies to a rack. In total, you’re looking at about 30 minutes from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First up, let’s get that oven warmed! Preheat to 350°F (175°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream them together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the Vanilla:
Pour in the vanilla extract, and mix again just until combined. This adds a lovely flavor to your cookies!
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. This step helps distribute the salt evenly throughout the flour.
5. Mix It All Together:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until it is just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
6. Optional – Roll the Dough:
If you want a slight crunch outside, roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and then roll them in granulated sugar. This step is optional but gives a lovely texture to the cookies!
7. Place on Baking Sheet:
Arrange the dough balls on the lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each to allow for spreading as they bake.
8. Create Indents:
Using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, gently press an indentation into the center of each dough ball. Don’t press too hard—just enough to create a small well.
9. Fill with Cherry Preserves:
Using a small spoon, fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of cherry preserves or jam. This is where the burst of cherry flavor comes from!
10. Bake the Cookies:
Bake in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just begin to turn golden while the tops remain pale. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake!
11. Cool Down:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Optional Finishing Touch:
If you want an extra special touch, drizzle a little warmed cherry jam over the cooled cookies for a glossy finish!
And there you have it! Enjoy your delicate, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cherry shortbread cookies with a cup of tea or coffee. They are sure to be a hit!
Can I Use Different Types of Preserves?
Absolutely! While cherry preserves give these cookies a delightful flavor, feel free to substitute with any fruit preserves you prefer, like raspberry, strawberry, or even apricot—whatever suits your taste!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them; just make sure to layer them with parchment paper and store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months!
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. When ready to bake, let it soften slightly at room temperature before rolling and shaping.
What Can I Do If the Cookie Dough Is Too Sticky?
If your dough feels too sticky to handle, sprinkle in a bit more all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a manageable consistency. Just be careful not to add too much flour, as it can affect the texture of the cookies.
