Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe is a delightful way to bring a touch of holiday magic into your kitchen anytime you crave a buttery, cozy treat. Picture perfectly tender shortbread infused with gentle orange and spice notes, studded with crunchy pecans, and topped with a jewel-like dollop of sweet plum jam sparkling under a sprinkle of sugar. These cookies are as charming as they are delicious, and they’re perfect for gift-giving, festive parties, or just curling up with a warm drink on a chilly afternoon. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting your feet wet, I promise you’ll find this recipe wonderfully approachable and rewarding.
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What Makes This So Good
This Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe offers nostalgia wrapped in a fresh, fruity, and buttery bite. The subtle spices combined with the bright citrus zest and crunchy nuts give each cookie layers of flavor that dance on your tongue.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: With common pantry ingredients and shortcuts like store-bought jam, you get stunning results without stress.
- Family-Friendly: Kids love helping spread the jam and sprinkle sparkling sugar — it’s a fun activity that ends in sweet rewards!
- Simple Ingredients: Flour, butter, sugar, and a handful of spices come together in this timeless shortbread base.
- Works Any Night: Make a batch on a weekday evening for a treat or prep ahead for holiday celebrations.
Ingredient Guide
Choosing the right ingredients in this Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe really sets the stage for success. Let’s walk through what to look for before you start mixing.
- All-Purpose Flour: Use fresh, high-quality flour for tender but sturdy shortbread. If you prefer a slightly nuttier flavor, try replacing a quarter cup with almond flour.
- Ground Cinnamon & Cloves: These warm spices give subtle depth without overpowering. Freshly ground from whole spices always brightens the flavor.
- Pecans or Walnuts: Toast them lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty richness and crunch.
- Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar works great here—don't skip it! It balances the buttery dough and gives a delicate sweetness.
- Orange Zest: Freshly grated zest is key for that bright citrus punch that complements the plum jam beautifully.
- Salted Butter: Using room temperature butter helps you cream it easily with the sugar, giving a lovely tender crumb.
- Jam: Plum jam is traditional and tastes wonderful, but raspberry or strawberry jams also add a lively pop of fruity sweetness.
- Sugars for Topping: Granulated sugar gives sparkle and crunch. Specialty sparkling white sugar adds a festive shimmer—grab Wilton’s if you can!
Quick Reminder: Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
Start by gathering your ingredients and letting the butter soften at room temperature — this makes creaming easy and ensures a tender cookie. Measure your flour, spices, sugar, and nuts, and give your orange a quick rinse to zest. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) so it's ready when you finish mixing. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking. When chopping your nuts, aim for small, uniform pieces for even crunch and color. Taking time here sets you up for smooth sailing in the next steps.
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
Next, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy — you’ll notice the mixture becomes pale and velvety, which means plenty of air for tender cookies. Stir in the orange zest, spices, and nuts evenly. Carefully stir in the flour last, mixing just until everything comes together into a soft dough. Avoid overworking to keep the cookies melt-in-your-mouth tender. Roll or pat the dough into a rectangle about ½-inch thick, then cut into your preferred shapes using a cookie cutter or a sharp knife. Place them spaced a bit apart on the baking sheet. Slide the tray into your oven for about 20–25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when edges are just starting to turn golden and your kitchen fills with that cozy orange-spice aroma I adore.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
Right after baking, let the cookies rest for a few minutes on the pan so they firm up enough to handle, but don’t cool completely. Then transfer them to a wire rack. While still warm, add a small spoonful of your chosen jam to the center of each cookie—this warmth helps the jam spread just perfectly without running. Finally, sprinkle sparkling sugar over the jam and cookie edges for a dazzling, festive look and a delightful crunch. Allow your shortbread to cool completely before storing or serving, so the jam sets beautifully and each cookie has that signature tender yet crisp texture.
Extra Helpful Tips
I’ve learned a few things over time that can really elevate your Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe experience and make it go smoother in your kitchen.
- Watch for This Sign: When your dough looks crumbly but holds together when pressed, that’s perfect for cutting out cookies.
- Temperature Trick: If your kitchen is warm, chill your dough briefly before cutting to keep shapes sharp and avoid spreading.
- Prep-Ahead Option: The dough freezes beautifully! Wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Don’t overbake! Shortbread should be pale with lightly golden edges for that tender, crumbly bite.
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
You can add a few creative twists to your Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe to keep things fun. Try swapping the orange zest for lemon or even a touch of cardamom for a floral surprise. Drizzle white chocolate over the jam before sprinkling sugar for an extra indulgent touch. Or, add a pinch of sea salt atop the jam to balance sweetness with a savory spark.
Tasty Pairings
These cookies are divine alongside a steaming cup of chai tea or a rich espresso. You might also enjoy them with creamy hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, or a glass of cold milk for classic comfort. If serving at a party, offering a platter with fresh fruit and nuts complements the cookies’ nutty spice beautifully.
Quick Plating Tips
Arrange your cookies on a pretty platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme tucked around for a lovely herbal fragrance. Use edible flowers or a dusting of powdered sugar on the edges for instant holiday charm. Even stacking a few with a small bowl of extra jam for dipping makes for a delightful centerpiece.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
You can store Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is warm, pop them in the fridge wrapped well to maintain their crisp edges, but expect the texture to soften slightly due to moisture.
Freezer Friendly?
Absolutely! Freeze the baked cookies on a tray first, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. They freeze well for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw at room temperature to avoid soggy jam—this keeps the texture just right.
Reheat Like New
I recommend warming leftovers briefly in an oven set to 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes to revive their buttery aroma and give the shortbread a gentle crisp. A quick zap in the microwave can work too, but watch carefully — just a few seconds are enough to avoid toughening the edges.
Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe FAQs
Butter is key to that rich, tender crumb and classic shortbread flavor. Margarine may work in a pinch but often results in less flavor and a different texture. Oil isn’t recommended because it changes the dough’s structure and won’t produce the crisp edges you want.
Make sure your butter hasn’t melted before mixing, and chill the dough briefly if your kitchen is warm. Also, avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar to keep airiness balanced, which helps maintain cookie shape during baking.
Definitely! Raspberry, strawberry, or even apricot jam pairs beautifully with the orange and spice notes in these shortbread cookies. Just pick a quality jam with good flavor and consistency.
Stored in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature and up to 3 months in the freezer, allowing you to plan ahead for celebrations or cozy treats anytime.
Final Flavor Thoughts
I hope you enjoy making and sharing this Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe as much as I do. It’s truly one of my favorite ways to blend cozy tradition with a little sparkle. If you try it, I’d love to hear your tweaks or how you styled your platter. Don’t forget to give it a star rating below if it brightened your day — and next time, why not experiment with a pinch of cardamom or a drizzle of white chocolate? Happy baking, friend!
Print📖 Recipe
Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Delight in these festive Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies featuring a buttery, spiced orange-pecan base crowned with a dollop of vibrant plum jam and a sparkling sugar topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, tender treat with a hint of citrus and spice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Orange-Pecan Spice Shortbread Cookies
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
- 1 cup room temperature, salted butter, cut into small pieces
Jam & Sparkling Sugar Topping
- Homemade or prepared jam (plum, raspberry, or strawberry), about ½ cup
- Granulated sugar, for sprinkling
- Sparkling white sugar (such as Wilton’s), for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves until well combined. Stir in the finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the salted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add Orange Zest: Mix the freshly grated orange zest into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball slightly using the bottom of a glass or your palm.
- Create Wells for Jam: Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to create an indentation in the center of each cookie for the jam.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden but the centers remain pale.
- Add Jam and Sugar: Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, fill each indentation with a small amount of jam. Sprinkle the tops around the jam with granulated sugar and sparkling white sugar for a festive shimmer.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the jam set and the cookies crisp up perfectly.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts for pecans based on your preference or what you have on hand.
- Use room temperature butter for the best creaming results and a tender crumb.
- Fresh orange zest adds a bright citrus flavor; avoid the bitter white pith.
- Choose your favorite jam flavor—plum adds a classic holiday fruitiness, but raspberry or strawberry also complement the spices nicely.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some edible glitter or colored sugar after adding the jam.
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