These melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies with orange jam are the perfect festive addition to your Christmas baking. Simple yet elegant, they’re a crowd-pleaser that vanishes within an hour of serving, so you might want to bake an extra batch!
Butter cookies have always been a staple in holiday baking, evoking nostalgia and warmth with every bite. I wanted to give this classic recipe a festive upgrade by adding bright, citrusy orange jam. The combination of the rich, buttery flavour and the tangy-sweet jam creates a perfectly balanced cookie that feels indulgent but not too heavy.
These cookies are not only delicious but also beautiful to look at – like little edible snowflakes with their dusting of icing sugar. They remind me of Christmas mornings, where the kitchen is filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies, and everyone sneaks into the cookie jar to grab just one more. My Fussy Eater, of course, devoured them almost instantly, claiming they were the best cookies ever. Trust me when I say – bake more because they disappear in no time!
Butter Cookies with Orange Jam: Recipe Tips
To ensure your cookies come out perfect every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Chill the Dough: chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes makes it easier to roll and cut out precise shapes.
- Uniform Thickness: roll your dough evenly (about 0.5cm thick) to ensure all cookies bake at the same rate.
- Precise Cutting: use a ravioli form for the outer disk and a smaller round cutter for the centre hole for a clean, beautiful shape.
- Don’t Overbake: bake the cookies until just golden around the edges (8-10 minutes). They firm up as they cool, so don’t overdo it.
- Add Jam After Baking: to prevent the jam from burning or bubbling, add it after baking and slightly press the top layer of the cookie down.
- Icing Sugar Finish: dust the cookies with icing sugar just before serving for a festive, snowy touch.
Butter Cookies with Orange Jam: Recipe and Ingredient Variations
These butter cookies are versatile and can easily be adjusted to suit your preferences:
- Jam Flavours: swap the orange jam for raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or even lemon curd for a tangy twist.
- Homemade Jam: if you prefer homemade jam, simmer oranges, sugar, and a splash of lemon juice until thick and glossy.
- Add Zest: mix orange or lemon zest into the dough for an extra citrus burst.
- Chocolate Twist: spread melted dark or milk chocolate between the cookies instead of jam for a decadent version.
- Nutty Addition: sprinkle ground almonds or hazelnuts on the top cookie before baking for a subtle nutty flavour.
- Spices: add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the dough to give it a warm, festive flavour.
If you are looking for more cookie recipes, try out these ones:
Homemade Shortbread Cookies
Pistachio and Chocolate Cookies
Linzer Cookies with Cranberry Jam
Oat Cookies with Cranberries and Pecans
Recipe
These butter cookies with orange jam are everything you want in a Christmas treat – rich, buttery, tangy, and beautifully festive. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of tea by the fire or share them with loved ones, they’re sure to spread holiday cheer!
Ingredients
250g unsalted butter (cold)
300g plain flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
120g icing sugar (plus extra for dusting)
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
Pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
Egg for brushing
Orange jam (I used this one)
Method
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl add the butter (cut into small cubes) together with plain flour, baking powder, pinch of salt icing sugar and vanilla sugar.
- Rub the butter in between your fingers till you get texture similar to breadcrumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and mix until smooth.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
Cut the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Cover your baking sheet with baking paper.
- Sprinkle your work surface with a little flour. Roll out the dough to approximately 0.5cm thickness.
- Cut the full disks using a ravioli form or a round cutter.
- Cut out the same amount of disks and make a smaller hole in the centre of each with a round cutter.
Bake the Cookies:
- Place all cookies onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Brush them with the egg (slightly whisk it) to get golden colour.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove and let them cool completely.
Assemble the Cookies:
- Take one full disk and add a teaspoon of orange jam in the centre.
- Place a disk with a hole on top and gently press it down to spread the jam slightly. Repeat with all cookies.
- Dust the assembled cookies with icing sugar for a festive, snowy effect.
