This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. The jam filled center softens these sandwich cookies making them tender, flaky and irresistible. They’re just in time for Valentines Day! You can use any kind of jam to fill these; raspberry, peach, apricot, or use a variety to make a beautiful array of colorful sandwich cookies. I loved the lingonberry preserves from Ikea which are slightly tart and complimented the cookies perfectly! You can also make any shape you like; hearts for your Valentine, stars for July 4th, etc. I brought these sandwich cookies to my worship team meeting and they were a hit. Since I made a bunch, I also distributed them to all of my sisters. That’s my sneaky diet plan ;). One of my readers, Oksana B., shared this recipe with me and I followed it almost exactly (using butter in leu of margarine) and they turned out fantastic!
Ingredients for Jam Filled Sandwich Cookies (Zirochki):
3 cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour + more to dust for rolling *measured correctly 2 sticks (16 Tbsp) Unsalted butter, softened to room temp 2 large eggs, room temp 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp white vinegar 2 Tbsp liquid honey 9 oz jar of your favorite jam or thick preserves (I used lingonberry preserves) 1/2 cup powdered sugar
How to Make Zirochki Cookies:
(Preheat the oven to 350˚F after step 3). Line a large cookie pan with parchment paper. 1. In a large mixing bowl, add 3 cups + 2 Tbsp flour and 2 sticks softened butter and mix the dough together with your hands. It’s actually feels kind of nice to get your hands in there (let me know if you agree). Rub the dough between your fingers until it becomes a sandy texture with fine crumbles. P.S. Oksana recommended that you use your hands for best results rather than a mixer. Oksana, I love that you shared your expert tips!
In a separate mixing bowl, add 2 eggs and 1 cup sugar and mix on high speed 5 minutes until pale yellow and smooth. Pour this mixture over the flour and mix gently with a spatula just until well incorporated.
In a small ramekin, combine 1 tsp baking soda and 2 tsp vinegar and stir until well combined. Pour soda mixture into the cookie batter along with 2 Tbsp of liquid honey and mix it into the dough well with a spatula. When it’s done, your dough should form into 1 mass. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temp for 30 min. While you’re waiting, pre-heat your oven to 350˚F
Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll out one piece at a time keeping the rest of the dough covered at room temp. Sprinkle a clean non-stick surface and your piece of dough generously with flour and roll it out to an 1/8″ thick round. If your dough is sticky when rolling, just add more flour. Use any shape of cookie cutter you like to cut out shapes. I used a fluted one. Transfer cookie shapes to a cookie pan lined with parchment paper about 1/2″ apart. Collect the scraps and blend them back into your remaining dough.
Poke a hole in half of your cookies (all I had was a straw so I poked the hole and then worked it around to make a 1/3″ opening. Keep in mind the hole shrinks quite a bit so make it bigger than you think it should be. I kinda wish my holes were bigger. I think I need to buy bigger straws ;). You will have 24 cookies with holes and 24 without.
Bake at 350˚F for 5-8 minutes or until lightly golden on top. Watch them closely since they turn golden quickly. Remove from the oven and let them cool to room temp. I baked in two batches.
Once the cookies are room temp, spread your jam onto the base of the cookie and top with the poked cookie. Press the sides together, then dip both sides in powdered sugar. These cookies can be eaten right away but are even better a few hours later or even the next day after they’ve had a chance to soften from the jam. These keep well covered at room temperature overnight or covered and refrigerated.
So Stinkin’ good! P.S. Thanks to all of you who have shared your amazing favorite recipes with me! Keep ’em coming 😉 You are awesome!
PS. Happy Valentines Day! These would be perfect for your sweetheart 🙂
