Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 28-32
 
Sweet, buttery, and sparkling with holiday magic — these Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies are pure Christmas joy in every bite! Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies with jam centers and sparkling sugar topping on a holiday plate. Perfect for the Holidays!
Ingredients
For the Orange-Pecan Spice Shortbread Cookies:
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ cup finely chopped pecans
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
  • 1 cup salted butter, at room temperature, cut into small pieces
For the Topping :
  • Plum, strawberry jam or raspberry jam (homemade or store-bought), optional
  • Granulated sugar, optional for sprinkling
  • Sparkling white sugar for a festive finish
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
To make the Shortbread Dough
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, chopped pecans, sugar and orange zest.
  2. Add the butter and use a pastry blender or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer to blend until the mixture forms fine crumbs and begins to hold together.
  3. Use your hands to gently knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ½-inch thickness.
  5. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter (or any favorite shape) to cut out cookies.
  6. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie.
To fill with jam:
  1. Using a small spoon or pastry brush, spread a thin layer of jam over the center of each cookie, leave a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
  2. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Baking time may vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of your cookies.
  3. While the cookies are still warm, sprinkle with a light dusting of granulated sugar, followed by a generous sprinkle of sparkling white sugar for that beautiful holiday sparkle.
  4. Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. Serve
Recipe by Yummiest Food Recipes at https://yummiestfood.com/sugar-plum-shortbread-cookies/