These vintage Jam Filled Cookies are a brown sugar cut out dough that is so flavorful. They’re filled with nuts and jam and are super easy!
This Jam Filled Cookie is among the oldest Christmas Cookie recipes that we make. It is from Everywoman’s Magazine in 1957.
Why you should make these cookies
- These cookies only take two steps, not three, so they are completed in one day. Most cut out cookies take too days because the dough needs to be chilled for hours.
- These cookies freeze for a very long time. At least 2 months, if they are packed well.
- You can really taste brown sugar, so they are different from lots of other cut out cookies.
- They are soft and chewy with a nice crunch from the nuts.
What you need
all-purpose flour- baking soda
- Salt
- Butter
- Sugar
- brown sugar , firmly packed
- large eggs
- pure vanilla extract
- Cherry Preserves
- chopped blanched , slivered almonds
- Strawberry preserves
- chopped pecans or walnuts
How to make them
- Measure flour and dry ingredients.
- Cream butter in mixer bowl.
- Add sugars and cream again until smooth..
- Break eggs into separate bowl.
- Add eggs and vanilla to mixer.
- Mix until light and fluffy.
- Add flour about 1/3 at a time, just until barely mixed.
- Dough is quite thick so if you do not have a heavy duty mixer, don’t double recipe.
- Wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Chill for 2-3 hours or overnight.
- Mix up jams with nuts.
- We use both cherry jam and strawberry jam but you could apricot jam, raspberry jam or any of your favorites.
- Roll out cookies in between sheets of waxed paper. Cut into desired shapes.
- Place on greased or parchment paper lined cookie sheet or a silicone mat. Add about half teaspoon of jam to each cookie, depending on cutter size.
- Cut out tops. Cutting out the original shape and then cut the center out with a smaller cutter. (or use a Linzer cookie set.)
- Place top cookie on top of jam on bottom cookie.
- Bake 375°F for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool cookies on a wire rack completely before storing. For a cut out cookie, this dough is very easy to work with! It is not terribly sticky!
How to store
These cookies will store in an air tight container about a week in the refrigerator and up to 2 months in a well sealed container in freezer.
Use waxed paper between layers to avoid sticking. Fill any voids with crumpled up wax paper.
I hope you like the recipe today for Jam Filled Cookies! How many Christmas cookies do you make? What is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
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Jam – Filled Cookies
These vintage Jam Filled Cookies are a brown sugar cut out dough that is so flavorful. They’re filled with nuts and jam and are super easy!
See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!
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Servings: 36 cookies
Calories: 163kcal
Cost: $6
Ingredients
- 4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Butter
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar , firmly packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Cherry Preserves
- 1/4 cup chopped blanched , slivered almonds
- 1 cup Strawberry preserves
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Fruit filling :
- 1 cup Strawberry preserves mixed with 1/4 c walnuts , chopped
- 1 cup Cherry Jam mixed with 1/4 c. almonds, chopped
Instructions
- Sift first 3 ingredients, set aside.
- Cream butter until soft, beat in sugars gradually.
- Add eggs and vanilla, beating vigorously until light and airy.
- Add flour mixture in 3 parts, beating only until well mixed after each addition.
- Divide dough in three parts, wrap in waxed paper and then in plastic wrap.
- Chill until firm enough for rolling, about 4-5 hours; or overnight.
- Grease baking sheets or bake on parchment paper or silicone mat. Then prepare fruit fillings.
- Roll out dough between two sheets of lightly floured waxed paper, 1/8″ thick. Re-flour as needed.
- We use the same cutter for top and bottom but I’ll continue with original instructions.
- Original recipe specifies:
- Cut out enough 2 3/4″ rounds to fill baking sheet, arrange about 1 1/2″ apart.
- Put about 1 teaspoon jam filling on each round.
- Then roll and cut same number of 3″ rounds, cutting hole in center with 1″ cutter before placing it on the filling.
- Repeat until all dough is used.
- Bake in 375°F / 190° C oven for 12 – 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Note: During baking the smaller and amount of dough spreads just enough to meet with and seal the edges of the larger top piece. This eliminates hand pinching of the edges and makes for less handling.
- We have no problem using the same size cutter. We just gently press the edges together.
- Whichever way you choose, these are easy and delicious!
- Makes 3 dozen.
- From Everywoman’s Magazine 1957
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!Notes
Super easy dough to make and to roll and cut out. Very beginner friendly!
Cookies can be kept at room temperature for a couple days.
For longer storage, freeze up to 2 months. These cookies freeze very well!
General Baking Tips:
Always measure dry ingredients with a dry measuring cup. Measure with dry measuring cups or weigh dry ingredients.
Always measure liquid ingredients with liquid measuring cup
Never break eggs directly into recipe ingredients. Break eggs into a separate bowl, in case you get any shells, so that you can pull them out.
Make sure that you know what temperature your oven is set at. Buy an oven thermometer and check oven temperature regularly.
Always check baked goods, like cakes or quick breads with cake tester, placed in center. If the tester comes out clean, it’s done.
Nutrition
Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 170IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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Originally Published 12/5/2014 Updated 2/2/2022.
Angela
Such cute cookies! They will be amazing for my cookie boxes.
Beth Neels
They are great for cookie boxes and platters and I always get comments on them. Thanks Angela!
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious
These look so delicious and perfect for Christmas time. Pinning for later!
Beth Neels
Thanks Genevieve. I hope you like them. Merry Christmas!
Luci
These jam cookies are delicious! They remind me of my childhood – my mom and I used to bake these every year for Christmas. I love the sweet flavor from the jam and the brown sugar!
Beth Neels
I’m so glad you like them Luci! My mom and I have made them for eons and everyone loves them!
Jovita
These cookies look so cute! I’ll try to make them together with the kids for this Christmas. Thank you for the step by step recipe!
Beth Neels
These are a fun cookie for the kids to help with. Even the little ones can place the jam in the middle! Thanks Jovita!
Alison
My family was just asking me about making them thumbprint cookies. These are so cute with the cutout shapes! So festive and fun!
Beth Neels
It’s getting to be that time we have to start baking! Merry Christmas Alison!
Elaine
I know this is gross, but I actually squirt drooled. And by that I mean, I look at a photo and I feel the drool filling up in my mouth. I love these cookies and when I visit you, we need to make these regardless of what time of year. You feel me?
Binky
Sounds like a perfect plan! That should be soon, I hope!! Thanks, Elaine!!
Patty
Mmmm These cookies look so good Beth, very pretty too! Looking forward to reading the recipes to all your Christmas cookies 🙂
Binky
I will have 2 per week until Christmas!! Thank you Patty!
Amy Nash
These look delicious! And now I want the recipe for the Hildabrötchen!! You haven’t posted it yet, have you?
Binky
No it will be posted around the 18th! 🙂 Patience! Thanks Amy!
Sandi
These are such cute cookies for the holidays!
Binky
Thanks so much for your comment, Sandi!
Jill
Family recipes are the best at the holidays! These cookies looks delicious. We bake my Grandma’s snickerdoodle recipe every year. My mom’s fudge is another favorite.
Binky
i don’t believe I’ve ever had snickerdoodles! My boys are huge fudge fans, as well! Thanks Jill!
Katie Crenshaw
These are such pretty Christmas cookies. Saving this recipe for my upcoming cookie exchange.
Binky
They are everyone’s favorite around my house! I’m sure they will be a hit for your cookie exchange! Thanks Katie!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
These are so fun and look super delicious! Love the little cut outs! Perfect for Santa 😉
Binky
The brown sugar in the dough makes them very unique and delicious! Santa always gets one in my house! Thanks, Dawn!
Susan Zytnik Kunzler
I messed up. It’s the ISHLAS (spelling???) that are my all-time favorite, favorite, favorite! Make tons of those. I usually only get one or two due to the male raiding of the freezer. Actually Rick likes the Hildas best. After 25 years, I confuse the two of us. lol.
Binky
The Ischeler’s Tortellettes recipe will be on here shortly! They are easy to make!
Susan Zytnik Kunzler
Great…but I’m not the baker you are. : ( They will not look or taste right forever after. Double sad-face.
Binky
Oh, you’re not a bad baker! I’ve seen some pretty cool stuff come out of your kitchen!
Susan Zytnik Kunzler
The secret is out now….but I still need you to send 4 dozen of these and 12 dozen of the hildebrochen?? (can’t spell it). We’ve got the Christmas shakes in anticipation.
Binky
I didn’t make enough to send 4 dozen… Gave you the recipe though!!! How cool is that?