Filled Jam Cookies: Easy and Delicious
If you love homemade cookies with a soft and delicious heart, this filled jam cookies recipe is perfect for you! Not the usual cookies, but delightful pastry rolls that enclose a filling of sweet jam, creating an irresistible combination of flavors. These filled cookies are incredibly easy to prepare, ideal for those with little time but who don’t want to give up the pleasure of a homemade treat.
Their rolled shape makes them original and inviting, perfect to enjoy at breakfast with a cup of milk, as an afternoon treat with hot tea, or as a small dessert to finish a meal. The softness of the pastry, combined with the sweetness and aroma of the jam, will win over the palates of both young and old.
This recipe is designed to be accessible to everyone, even those with little cooking experience. With a few simple ingredients and an intuitive process, you’ll achieve golden and fragrant filled jam cookies, ready to be enjoyed in all their goodness. Follow our step-by-step instructions and get ready to bake treats that will become a true must in your recipe collection! The aroma that will spread in your kitchen will be a preview of the delight you’re about to savor.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 8
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 292.85 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 45.73 (g) of which sugars 21.10 (g)
- Proteins 4.36 (g)
- Fat 11.20 (g) of which saturated 7.02 (g)of which unsaturated 3.98 (g)
- Fibers 0.83 (g)
- Sodium 62.96 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 50 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp sugar
- 7 tbsps butter
- 1 egg (+ 1 egg yolk)
- 1/2 packet baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/3 cup peach jam
Tools
To prepare the pastry, you can proceed either in a bowl with a mixer or in a stand mixer or by hand, but you will need a little more time.
- Scale
- Bowl
- Electric whisk
- Sieve
- Rolling pin
- Plastic wrap
- Loaf pan
- Sugar sprinkler
Jam Cookies Step-by-Step Recipe
In a stand mixer (or using a regular mixer), combine the butter cut into pieces with the sugar. Mix the ingredients for a few moments until you obtain a sandy mixture. Add the whole egg, the yolk, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to blend the liquid ingredients. Sift the flour with the baking powder directly into the bowl. If you want a more fragrant touch, you can also add a packet of vanillin.
Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet mixture, working the dough just enough to obtain a smooth, homogeneous, and soft dough typical of cookie pastry. Avoid kneading too long to not compromise the crispness of your cookies. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 30-40 minutes. This step is essential to make the dough easier to roll and work with.
After resting, take the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured work surface with the help of a rolling pin. Form a rectangle about 1/5 inch thick. To facilitate rolling and transferring, I recommend rolling the pastry directly on a sheet of parchment paper.
Spread your favorite jam (or Nutella, if you prefer) evenly over the surface of the pastry using a spatula. Leave a border of about 1/2 inch on all sides to prevent the filling from leaking during baking. If the Nutella is too hard, you can soften it by gently heating it in a bain-marie.
Gently roll the pastry over itself, starting from the longer side and sealing the closing edge well. Carefully seal the ends of the roll as well to contain the filling of your cookies. Transfer the roll, with the parchment paper, into a loaf pan. Brush the surface of the roll with a little milk (or a beaten egg yolk with a drop of milk) to promote the browning of the cookies. Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes, or until the surface is golden. It is normal for small cracks to form on the top during baking.
Once cooked, remove the roll from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan before unmolding. Once cold, generously sprinkle the surface with powdered sugar. At this point, your roll is ready to be sliced and enjoyed as delicious filled jam cookies.
STORAGE
These filled jam cookies can be stored at room temperature, under a glass dome or in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can slice the roll and freeze the slices individually. When you want to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature.
NOTES ON INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS:
VANILLIN: If you don’t have vanillin, you can replace it with the grated zest of half a lemon or half an orange for a citrus aroma to your cookies.
JAM: You can use your preferred jam to fill your cookies: apricots, strawberries, cherries, mixed berries… choose your favorite flavor. Or for an even more indulgent version, you can replace the jam with Nutella or another chocolate spread.
FILLED JAM COOKIES RECIPE VARIANTS
1) WHOLE WHEAT: Replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a more rustic flavor and higher fiber content in your cookies. You may need to add a bit more liquid (water or milk) if the dough is too dry.
2) LACTOSE-FREE: Use lactose-free butter and, for brushing, a plant-based drink of your choice to make these cookies.
3) GLUTEN-FREE: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend specific for desserts for your cookies. You may need to add a binder like guar gum to improve the dough’s structure. Follow the specific guidelines of the flour blend you use.
4) WITH FRESH FRUIT: In summer, try adding pieces of fresh fruit (like peaches or strawberries) on top of the jam before rolling to create even fresher and more delicious cookies. In this case, cook the cookies for a slightly longer time.
5) BICOLOR: Divide the dough into two parts and add 50g of unsweetened cocoa powder to one of them. Roll out the two doughs separately and then overlap them before filling and rolling for a scenic effect to your cookies.
A Touch of Creativity: Transform Your Cookie Roll into a Delicious Masterpiece:
The beauty of this recipe lies in its incredible versatility, allowing you to transform a simple cookie roll into a unique and personalized creation, capable of reflecting your tastes and creativity in the kitchen. Don’t limit yourself to the classic jam filling: the cookie roll is a blank canvas ready to welcome your favorite ingredients and surprise those who taste it.
Let yourself be inspired by your pantry and creativity to turn this simple cookie roll into a small masterpiece of taste! Experiment with unusual combinations and create your favorite version, the one that represents you the most and will surprise those lucky enough to taste it.
EXPLORE THE FLAVORS
For an even more fragrant and inviting dough, dare with spices! A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the base dough will give a warm and enveloping touch, perfect especially during the colder months. If you love fresh and citrus flavors, add the grated zest of half a lemon or half an orange to the dough: the scent that will be released during baking will be simply delicious. For a more exotic touch, try adding a pinch of cardamom or powdered ginger.
DELICIOUS AND ORIGINAL FILLINGS
Jam is an eternal classic, but why not experiment with other fillings to make your cookie roll even more special? Hazelnut spread is always a guarantee of deliciousness, loved by both young and old. For a richer and more structured filling, you can use chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios) mixed with a bit of honey or maple syrup. If you have time, prepare a homemade fresh fruit compote: apples and cinnamon, pears and ginger, or mixed berries will be delicious and fragrant fillings. For a more “adult” touch, you can spread a thin layer of fig or chestnut jam.
A DOUGH FULL OF SURPRISES
Even the base dough can be enriched to create new textures and flavors. Add dark, milk, or white chocolate chips for an extra touch of sweetness. Incorporate coconut flakes for an exotic flavor and a slightly crunchy texture. If you love more rustic flavors, try adding a couple of tablespoons of almond or hazelnut flour to the dough.
CREATIVE DECORATIONS
The eye also wants its share! Before baking, you can decorate the surface of the cookie roll with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or almond flakes. After baking and cooling, besides the classic sprinkle of powdered sugar, you can decorate the roll with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a few drops of lemon or milk, or with stripes of melted chocolate.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Absolutely yes! The cookie dough keeps well in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, wrapped in plastic wrap. In fact, a prolonged rest in the fridge can even improve the crispness of the pastry. Just remember to take it out of the fridge ten minutes before rolling it out to make it more workable.
Won’t the jam leak out during baking?
By following the recipe and leaving a 1/2 inch border when spreading the jam, the risk of leakage is minimal. Also, make sure to seal the edges of the roll well before baking. If using a particularly liquid jam, you can slightly thicken it by heating it in a small pot with a teaspoon of cornstarch before filling.
Can I freeze the cookie roll?
Yes, you can freeze both the entire roll (before or after cooking) and the individual slices. If freezing it cooked, let it cool completely before wrapping it well in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or a food bag. To thaw, leave it at room temperature for a few hours. If freezing the raw dough, thaw it in the fridge before rolling and filling it.
