Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any special occasion deserves a sweet treat that’s as heartwarming as it is delicious. These heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies are the perfect way to show someone you care. With a rich, buttery shortbread base, a sweet strawberry filling, and a glossy glaze, these cookies offer the perfect balance of flavor and texture. The tender shortbread melts in your mouth, and the homemade strawberry filling adds a fresh and fruity twist that makes them stand out.

These cookies are simple to prepare yet look beautifully elegant, making them an ideal choice for gifting, sharing, or enjoying yourself. Whether you’re baking for a loved one or simply indulging in a festive treat, these heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies will quickly become a go-to favorite for all kinds of celebrations.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfect for Special Occasions

These heart-shaped cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any other occasion where you want to show love, making them a thoughtful and delicious gift.

2. Buttery Shortbread Texture

The shortbread is rich and crumbly, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy strawberry filling.

3. Fresh Strawberry Flavor

The homemade strawberry puree and jam bring a natural, fresh taste to the cookies, offering a beautiful fruity contrast to the buttery shortbread.

4. Customizable

These cookies are not only delicious but also customizable. Use different shapes, such as circles or stars, for various holidays and celebrations.

5. Easy to Make

With just a few simple ingredients, these cookies come together quickly and easily, perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers.

Ingredients

For the Basic Shortbread

• Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• Caster sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Plain flour (all-purpose)
• Fine salt

For the Strawberry Filling and Glaze

• Powdered icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• Strawberry puree (made from hulled strawberries mashed with a fork)
• Unsalted butter (melted)
• Milk
• Strawberry jam

Variations

• Use Different Fruit Purees: If strawberries aren’t your favorite, you can substitute the strawberry puree with other fruit purees like raspberry or blueberry for a different flavor.
• Add a Hint of Lemon: For a tangy twist, add a small amount of lemon zest to the shortbread dough.
• Use Chocolate: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies for an indulgent addition to the strawberry filling.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap out the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Shortbread Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix again. Sift the plain flour and fine salt into the butter mixture, then mix until the dough just comes together. It should be soft and slightly crumbly.

Step 2: Roll Out and Cut the Dough

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your cookies. Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 4: Make the Strawberry Filling

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the strawberry filling. In a bowl, combine the powdered icing sugar, strawberry puree, melted butter, and milk. Stir until smooth and well combined. If the filling is too thick, add a little more milk to reach a spreadable consistency.

Step 5: Assemble the Cookies

Once the cookies have cooled, spread a layer of strawberry jam on one cookie, then top it with another cookie to form a sandwich. After all the cookies are assembled, use a spoon to drizzle the strawberry glaze over the top of each cookie. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the glaze harden slightly before serving or storing the cookies. These cookies are ready to enjoy and share with loved ones!

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft to work with, chill it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before rolling it out to make it easier to cut the cookies.
• Prevent Overbaking: Keep a close eye on the cookies as they bake; shortbread can easily go from golden to overdone. Remove them from the oven as soon as the edges are golden.
• Smooth the Glaze: If the strawberry glaze is too lumpy, whisk it until smooth. Adding a tiny bit more milk can also help achieve a smoother consistency.
• Decorate with Sprinkles: Add extra decoration with edible glitter or sprinkles for an added festive touch.

How to Serve

These heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies are perfect for serving at any celebration. They are an ideal treat for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or birthday parties. Pair them with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate for an extra indulgent experience. They also make lovely additions to gift boxes or dessert tables for a special touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once assembled and glazed, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If the cookies have been filled with jam, they are best eaten within a few days to maintain their freshness.

Freezing

To freeze these cookies, bake the shortbread cookies first, and let them cool completely. Then, freeze the cookies individually on a baking sheet and transfer them to an airtight container once frozen. When ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature and add the strawberry filling and glaze.

Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat them. If you’ve frozen the shortbread cookies, let them come to room temperature before adding the strawberry filling and glaze.

FAQs

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While margarine can be used, butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture in shortbread.

2. Can I use store-bought strawberry jam instead of making my own filling?

Yes, you can use store-bought strawberry jam if you prefer a quicker option.

3. How can I make these cookies more festive?

You can decorate the cookies with colored sprinkles or edible glitter for an extra festive look, especially for holidays like Valentine’s Day or Christmas.

4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before rolling out and baking.

5. How do I make the strawberry filling smoother?

If your strawberry filling is too thick, add a little more milk to achieve the desired consistency.

6. Can I use other fruits in place of strawberries?

Yes, you can substitute strawberries with other fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, for a different flavor.

7. Can I make the cookies without the filling?

Yes, the shortbread cookies alone are delicious. You can skip the filling and enjoy the buttery cookies on their own.

8. Can I use a different shape besides hearts?

Absolutely! You can use any shape of cookie cutter you prefer, such as stars, circles, or squares.

9. Can I add chocolate to these cookies?

Yes, you can drizzle some melted chocolate over the top of the cookies or dip them in chocolate for an added indulgent touch.

10. Can I freeze the filled cookies?

It’s best to freeze the shortbread cookies before filling them. The jam and glaze may become too runny after freezing.

Conclusion

Heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies are a delightful and delicious way to show someone you care. With their buttery shortbread base, fresh strawberry filling, and sweet glaze, they make the perfect treat for any special occasion. Easy to make and customize, these cookies are a fun and thoughtful way to spread love and sweetness. Whether you’re baking for yourself or for someone special, these cookies are sure to impress and bring smiles with every bite.

Print