Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies – Buttery, Sweet, and Perfect for Celebrations

🎉 Introduction
There’s something timeless and romantic about heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies. With their delicate crumb, buttery richness, and bright strawberry flavor, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, special occasions, gifting, or simply adding a little sweetness to everyday moments.

This recipe combines classic shortbread cookies with strawberry puree and jam for a soft fruit note that balances the richness of butter. The heart shape makes them visually charming, while the smooth strawberry filling adds a lovely contrast in both color and taste. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and elegant results—these cookies are made to impress without stress.

🧰 Equipment Needed
Prepare these tools before starting:

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer or whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Rolling pin
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Optional:

• Small saucepan (to gently warm jam if needed)

🛒 Ingredients

For the Shortbread Dough

• 125 g unsalted butter, softened
• 60 g caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons strawberry puree
• 180 g plain flour
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt

For the Strawberry Filling

• 170 g strawberry jam

For the Glaze

• 110 g icing sugar
• 30 ml milk
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2: In a large bowl, add the softened butter and caster sugar. Beat until pale, smooth, and creamy.

Step 3: Mix in the vanilla extract and strawberry puree until fully incorporated and evenly colored.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain flour and salt.

Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 6: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 5 mm thickness.

Step 7: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.

Step 8: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a rack.

Step 9: If needed, gently warm the strawberry jam until smooth and spreadable.

Step 10: Spread a small layer of strawberry jam onto the flat side of half of the cookies.

Step 11: Top with the remaining cookies to form sandwich cookies and press gently.

Step 12: In a small bowl, whisk icing sugar, milk, and melted butter until smooth to create the glaze.

Step 13: Drizzle or spread the glaze lightly over the tops of the cookies and allow it to set before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: About 18–20 sandwich cookies
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Baking Time: 15 minutes
• Cooling & Assembly: 25 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days for longer freshness

Reheating

• Not recommended; these cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature

🥄 Variations
Try these creative twists on strawberry shortbread cookies:

• Chocolate Drizzle: Add a light chocolate drizzle over the glaze
• Jam Swap: Use raspberry or mixed berry jam
• Lemon Touch: Add lemon zest to the dough for brightness
• Mini Hearts: Use a smaller cutter for bite-sized cookies
• Dusting Finish: Skip the glaze and dust lightly with icing sugar

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why use strawberry puree in the dough?
   It adds natural flavor and a soft pink color.
2. Can I chill the dough before rolling?
   Yes, chilling for 15 minutes makes it easier to handle.
3. Do these cookies spread while baking?
   Very little, making them perfect for shaped cookies.
4. Can I use homemade jam?
   Yes, as long as it’s thick and smooth.
5. Why cool cookies before filling?
   Warm cookies can melt the jam and glaze.
6. Can I skip the glaze?
   Yes, they’re delicious with jam alone.
7. Are these cookies good for gifting?
   Absolutely, they look elegant and festive.
8. How do I keep the hearts neat?
   Use a sharp cutter and avoid overworking the dough.
9. Can kids help make this recipe?
   Yes, cutting shapes and assembling cookies is fun for kids.
10. Do these freeze well?
    Unfilled cookies freeze best for up to 2 months.

🏁 Conclusion
These Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are the perfect blend of charm, flavor, and simplicity. With their buttery texture, sweet strawberry filling, and elegant heart shape, they’re ideal for celebrations, gifting, or anytime you want to bake something special. Easy to make and beautiful to serve, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a memorable treat.

Adam

Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies – Buttery, Sweet, and Perfect for Celebrations

There’s something timeless and romantic about heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies. With their delicate crumb, buttery richness, and bright strawberry flavor, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, special occasions, gifting, or simply adding a little sweetness to everyday moments. This recipe combines classic shortbread cookies with strawberry puree and jam for a soft fruit note that balances the richness of butter. The heart shape makes them visually charming, while the smooth strawberry filling adds a lovely contrast in both color and taste. Simple ingredients, easy steps, and elegant results—these cookies are made to impress without stress.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

bake & cooling & Assembly time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 20 sandwich cookies

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Shortbread Dough

• 125 g unsalted butter softened
• 60 g caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons strawberry puree
• 180 g plain flour
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt

For the Strawberry Filling

• 170 g strawberry jam

For the Glaze

• 110 g icing sugar
• 30 ml milk
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter melted

Equipment

• Prepare these tools before starting:
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer or whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Rolling Pin
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Optional:
• Small saucepan (to gently warm jam if needed)

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2: In a large bowl, add the softened butter and caster sugar. Beat until pale, smooth, and creamy.

Step 3: Mix in the vanilla extract and strawberry puree until fully incorporated and evenly colored.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain flour and salt.

Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 6: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 5 mm thickness.

Step 7: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.

Step 8: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a rack.

Step 9: If needed, gently warm the strawberry jam until smooth and spreadable.

Step 10: Spread a small layer of strawberry jam onto the flat side of half of the cookies.

Step 11: Top with the remaining cookies to form sandwich cookies and press gently.

Step 12: In a small bowl, whisk icing sugar, milk, and melted butter until smooth to create the glaze.

Step 13: Drizzle or spread the glaze lightly over the tops of the cookies and allow it to set before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days

Refrigerate for up to 5 days for longer freshness

Reheating

Not recommended; these cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature

🥄 Variations
Try these creative twists on strawberry shortbread cookies:

Chocolate Drizzle: Add a light chocolate drizzle over the glaze

Jam Swap: Use raspberry or mixed berry jam

Lemon Touch: Add lemon zest to the dough for brightness

Mini Hearts: Use a smaller cutter for bite-sized cookies

Dusting Finish: Skip the glaze and dust lightly with icing sugar

❓ 10 FAQs

Why use strawberry puree in the dough?
It adds natural flavor and a soft pink color.

Can I chill the dough before rolling?
Yes, chilling for 15 minutes makes it easier to handle.

Do these cookies spread while baking?
Very little, making them perfect for shaped cookies.

Can I use homemade jam?
Yes, as long as it’s thick and smooth.

Why cool cookies before filling?
Warm cookies can melt the jam and glaze.

Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, they’re delicious with jam alone.

Are these cookies good for gifting?
Absolutely, they look elegant and festive.

How do I keep the hearts neat?
Use a sharp cutter and avoid overworking the dough.

Can kids help make this recipe?
Yes, cutting shapes and assembling cookies is fun for kids.

Do these freeze well?
Unfilled cookies freeze best for up to 2 months.

🏁 Conclusion
These Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are the perfect blend of charm, flavor, and simplicity. With their buttery texture, sweet strawberry filling, and elegant heart shape, they’re ideal for celebrations, gifting, or anytime you want to bake something special. Easy to make and beautiful to serve, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a memorable treat.