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Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies

Buttery, star-shaped shortbread cookies spiced with orange, clove, and cinnamon, topped with plum jam and sparkling sugar.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Shortbread Dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp orange zest freshly grated
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp salt
Topping
  • 0.5 cup plum jam or preserves
  • 2 tbsp sparkling sugar coarse

Equipment

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Star Cookie Cutter
  • Baking sheets
  • Rolling pin
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Cream softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth (2-3 mins).
  2. Mix in orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually add flour and mix on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
  6. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into star shapes.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until set but not browned. Cool completely on wire racks.
  8. Spread a layer of plum jam on each cookie and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.

Notes

Store in a single layer to prevent the jam from sticking to other cookies.