Introduction

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, and I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to venture out. I remembered a half-used jar of raspberry jam in the fridge and thought, “Why not swirl it into some buttery shortbread dough?” The result? These Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies—a delightful blend of buttery richness and fruity sweetness that melt in your mouth and look as good as they taste.​

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just over 30 minutes, these cookies are perfect for spontaneous baking sessions.​

Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples like butter, sugar, flour, and raspberry jam.​Pinterest

Visually Appealing: The raspberry swirl adds a beautiful touch, making them ideal for gifting or special occasions.​Log in or sign up to view

Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with different jams or add-ins to suit your taste.

Ingredient Deep Dive

Essential Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Provides the rich, buttery base essential for shortbread.​Recipes by Clare+1Recipe Flash+1
• Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Adds sweetness and helps achieve a tender texture.​
• All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): Gives structure to the cookies.​Recipes by Clare
• Vanilla Extract (½ tsp): Enhances the overall flavor profile.​Recipes by Clare+2grandmarecipesflash.com+2- From My Kitchen To Yours…+2
• Raspberry Jam (½ cup): Offers a sweet and tangy swirl; seedless jam is preferred for a smoother texture.​
• White Chocolate (¼ cup, melted): Optional drizzle for added sweetness and elegance.

Substitutions:

Butter: Can use plant-based butter for a vegan version.​Recipe Flash

Flour: A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well for those avoiding gluten.​Recipe Flash

Jam: Feel free to substitute with other jams like strawberry, apricot, or blackberry.​Recipe Flash

White Chocolate: Dark or milk chocolate can be used for a different flavor profile.​

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Tips:

• Ensure butter is softened for easy creaming.​
• Use seedless jam to prevent seeds from affecting the texture.​
• Chill the dough to make slicing easier and to maintain cookie shape during baking.​

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.​
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.​
3. Add Vanilla and Flour: Mix in vanilla extract, then gradually add flour until a dough forms.​Recipes by Clare
4. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.​
5. Spread Jam: Evenly spread raspberry jam over the dough.​
6. Roll and Chill: Carefully roll the dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.​Recipes by Clare
7. Slice and Bake: Cut the chilled log into ¼ inch slices and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.​Recipes by Clare
8. Cool and Drizzle: Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack. Drizzle with melted white chocolate if desired.

Troubleshooting:

Dough Cracking: If the dough cracks while rolling, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.​Recipes by Clare

Jam Leakage: Avoid overfilling with jam to prevent it from leaking during baking.​

Uneven Slices: Use a sharp knife and chill the dough thoroughly for clean slices.

Recipe Variations

• Nutty Delight: Add finely chopped nuts like almonds or pecans to the dough for added texture.​
• Citrus Twist: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the dough for a refreshing flavor.​Recipe Flash
• Chocolate Lovers: Replace raspberry jam with chocolate spread for a decadent treat.​
• Holiday Special: Use cranberry jam and sprinkle with festive colored sugars.​

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

With Tea or Coffee: Perfect alongside a cup of Earl Grey or your favorite coffee.​Recipe Flash

Dessert Platter: Include in a selection of cookies for parties or gatherings.​

Gift Boxes: Package in decorative boxes for thoughtful homemade gifts.​

After-Dinner Treat: Serve as a light dessert following a meal.

Meal Prep & Storage

Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough log in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days.​Recipes by Clare

Freezing: Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.​Recipe Flash

Storage: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.​Recipe Flash

Reheating: If your cookies have softened, simply pop them in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes to revive that delicate crispness. Want a quick fix? An air fryer at 280°F for 2 minutes also works wonders.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of jam?

Absolutely! While raspberry jam gives a tangy punch, strawberry, apricot, or even blueberry work great. Opt for seedless for a smoother swirl.

How do I make these gluten-free?

Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

You bet. Roll the dough into a log, wrap it tightly in cling film and foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Slice and bake directly from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Do I have to use white chocolate drizzle?

Nope, it’s optional! But it adds a creamy contrast and looks extra fancy. You can skip it or replace it with dark or milk chocolate.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

That usually means the dough was too warm. Chill it for 20–30 minutes before slicing, especially in warmer kitchens.

Nutritional Insights

These cookies are a treat, but they also offer some redeeming qualities—especially when you make smart swaps.

Nutrient	Per Cookie (Approx.)
Calories	140 kcal
Total Fat	8g
Saturated Fat	5g
Carbohydrates	16g
Sugar	7g
Protein	1.2g
Fiber	0.4g
Sodium	20mg

Health Highlights:

• Butter gives energy-dense calories great for active days.
• Raspberry jam provides a small hit of vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Easy to make gluten-free or lower sugar with simple substitutions.

Looking for more on shortbread’s heritage? Check out the Wikipedia page on Shortbread.

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