Best Valentine’s Strawberry Kiss Cookies for Any Celebration
These delightful Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a perfect expression of affection for any special occasion or celebration. Featuring a tender, buttery shortbread-style cookie base, they are generously filled with bright, sweet strawberry preserves, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Each bite offers a nostalgic taste of homemade goodness, making them an irresistible treat for sharing love and joy.
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
10-12 minutes
Total Time
45-50 minutes
Servings
Makes 24-30 cookies
Keywords
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Creates a beautiful, eye-catching dessert perfect for celebrations and holidays.
- Combines a rich, buttery cookie with bright, tangy strawberry preserves for a delightful contrast.
- Relatively simple to make, even for novice bakers, with clear, step-by-step guidance.
- Offers a delightful balance of tender texture and sweet, fruity flavor in every bite.
- A versatile and customizable treat; easily adapted with different jam flavors to suit any preference.
Ingredients
- 330 grams (2 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 5 grams (1 teaspoon) baking soda
- 2.5 grams (1/2 teaspoon) fine sea salt
- 226 grams (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 250 grams (1 1/4 cups) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) pure vanilla extract
- 340 grams (1 cup) high-quality strawberry preserves
Instructions
- Prepare your baking environment by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
- In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together the dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt. This ensures all leavening and seasoning agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough, guaranteeing a consistent texture. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- In a separate, larger mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes visibly light, fluffy, and pale in color, usually taking 2-3 minutes. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies' delicate texture.
- Add the large egg and pure vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix on medium speed until these ingredients are fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
- Gradually add the reserved dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, starting on low speed to prevent flour from escaping the bowl. Increase speed to medium-low as the flour incorporates, mixing just until no streaks of dry flour remain and a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Using a 30-milliliter (1.5-tablespoon) cookie scoop or by rolling, drop uniform portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Arrange them about 5 centimeters (2 inches) apart to allow for proper spreading during baking.
- Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are done when their edges are lightly golden, and the centers appear slightly set but still soft. Overbaking will result in a drier cookie, so keep a close eye on them. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies have cooled entirely, pair them up by size and shape. Fill one half of each pair with a generous dollop of strawberry preserves using a piping bag or a small spoon, spreading it gently to the edges.
- Carefully place the second cookie half on top of the preserves, gently pressing down to create a sandwich and allowing the preserves to peek out slightly, resembling a sweet "kiss." Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Tools You’ll Need
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Large mixing bowls
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheets
- Wire cooling rack
- Cookie scoop (30 ml / 1.5 tbsp)
- Piping bag (optional, for preserves)
Essential Success Tips
- Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature for optimal creaming and emulsification. This creates a smoother, more uniform dough that bakes evenly.
- Measure your flour accurately, preferably by weight using a kitchen scale, as too much flour can lead to dry, crumbly cookies. If using cups, spoon and level the flour.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added; this develops gluten, making cookies tough. Mix just until no streaks of dry flour remain.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before filling with preserves. Warm cookies will cause the jam to melt and make the sandwich difficult to handle and messy.
- Use a high-quality strawberry preserve for the best flavor; a good jam with real fruit makes all the difference in the final taste and texture of the filling.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- To achieve perfect cookie shapes and uniform baking, chill the scooped cookie dough balls for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape better and prevents excessive spreading, resulting in a neater 'kiss' effect.
- For an extra layer of flavor and a touch of sophistication, consider adding a tiny pinch of lemon zest to your cookie dough or a few drops of almond extract alongside the vanilla. These subtle additions can elevate the overall taste profile.
- If your strawberry preserves are very thick or firm, gently warm them slightly in a microwave or small saucepan before piping. This makes them easier to work with, ensures a smooth, even filling, and prevents tearing the delicate cookies during assembly.
Notes
- Storage: Store the Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. For best texture, bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Unfilled, baked cookie halves can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before filling with preserves. You can also freeze the dough wrapped tightly for up to 1 month.
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with other fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or even a citrus marmalade for different flavor profiles. A light dusting of powdered sugar on top of the finished cookies can add a lovely decorative touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Let it come to room temperature slightly for easier scooping before baking.
My cookies spread too much, what went wrong?
Excessive spreading can happen if your butter was too soft, the dough was too warm, or your oven temperature was too low. Try chilling the scooped dough for 15-20 minutes before baking, and consider using an oven thermometer to verify your oven's accuracy.
What kind of strawberry preserves should I use for the best results?
Opt for a good quality strawberry preserve or jam that you enjoy the taste of. Preserves with visible fruit pieces will add a lovely texture and visual appeal to your finished cookies, enhancing the homemade charm.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 180, Protein: 2g, Fat: 9g, Carbs: 24g, Sugars: 15g (per cookie, estimated based on general recipe ratios and average ingredient values)
Allergy Information
Contains dairy (butter), gluten (all-purpose flour), and egg. For a gluten-free version, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum). For a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter alternative.
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