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Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 210 reviews

Delight in the buttery, tender texture of Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies, infused with warm orange and spice notes, crunchy pecans, and topped with vibrant jam and sparkling sugar. Perfectly festive and elegant, these cookies blend classic shortbread richness with a fruity, sweet sparkle.

Ingredients

Orange-Pecan Spice Shortbread Cookies

  • 2½ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
  • 1 cup room temperature, salted butter, cut into small pieces

Jam & Sparkling Sugar Topping

  • Homemade or prepared jam (plum, raspberry, or strawberry)
  • Granulated sugar, for sprinkling
  • Sparkling white sugar, such as Wiltons, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies evenly.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves until well combined.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature salted butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step creates the base for tender shortbread.
  4. Add orange zest and nuts: Stir in the freshly grated orange zest and finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the butter mixture to infuse citrus aroma and nutty crunch.
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture, blending until the dough starts coming together. Handle the dough gently without overmixing to maintain tenderness.
  6. Form cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced about 2 inches apart.
  7. Flatten and add indentation: Gently press each ball down with your thumb or the back of a spoon to create a small well in the center for the jam.
  8. Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain pale.
  9. Cool slightly and add jam: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then spoon a small amount of your chosen jam into the indentation of each cookie.
  10. Sprinkle sugars: Lightly sprinkle granulated sugar and sparkling white sugar over the jam and around the edges of the cookies to add a shimmering crunch.
  11. Cool completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

  • You can substitute walnuts for pecans depending on your preference.
  • Use homemade jam or a high-quality store-bought jam for the best flavor.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a festive touch, try colored sparkling sugar or add a little vanilla extract to the dough.
  • Make sure butter is at room temperature to ensure proper creaming and dough consistency.

Find it online: https://crispcharm.com/sugar-plum-shortbread-cookies-recipe/