Shortbread Cookies with Cherry Jam Buttercream Frosting

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen. 

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here. 

Cookies.

It’s such a powerful word. Just a whisper of it can move mountains and turn a weary heart to joy. At least it does in my house.

“If you pick up ALL the toys in the living room, you can have a cookie.”

Mountains moved.

“Please. Stop crying. If you get your emotions together, I’ll give you a cookie.”

Hearts turned from weariness to joy.

Cookies, what would I do without you?

Because this little bribe, I mean treat, is going to the people I love the most shouldn’t I make sure it’s the best quality? Absolutely yes.

The best quality you can provide varies for each family and this is okay. For us it’s homemade.

King Arthur’s All-Purpose flour from Market’s Street baking aisle, along with Neilson-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract and Imperial Sugar: quality, trustworthy products.

Don’t get me wrong, I do buy boxed cookies and divvy out with joy, but when I can give my children homemade baked goods it’s an even bigger sugar rush.

One of my favorite and easiest cookie recipes involves only five ingredients and about 15 minutes of my time. Plus, the dough is freezer friendly and is likened to the slice-and-bake variety that is oh so fun.

Shortbread cookies.

Gently cream sugar and room temperature butter. Add flour, salt and vanilla extract. Separate into two dough balls and place onto parchment. Roll into a cylinder and freeze for 30 minutes.

Slice. Bake. The world rejoices.

Warm, fresh homemade cookies--- ready to treat your family.

This cookie is a shortbread cookie. Simple, delicious and full of eating options.

Crumble and add it to homemade ice cream.

Or smear ice cream between two cookies and, viola, an ice cream sandwich.

Even better, now that July 4^th is right around the corner, grab some cherries from the produce section at Market Street and whip up a cherry butter cream frosting. Serve with a side of blueberries and there’s a patriotic dessert waiting to be enjoyed by all your American patriots.

Cookies. Mountain movers, joy givers--- lovingly made by you.

Shortbread Cookies with Cherry Buttercream Frosting

Makes about 28 cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups butter, room temperature

3/4 cups sugar

2 1/4 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

cherry butter cream frosting, optional (see recipe below)

Directions:

1) Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

2) With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar on low until incorporated, about 30 seconds.

3) Add the flour, salt and vanilla extract. Continue to mix until just incorporated, about 30-40 seconds.

4) Turn off the mixer and form two dough balls.

5) Rolls the dough into parchment paper or plastic wrap, forming a cylinder.

6) Place in the freezer and freeze for 30 minutes.

7) Remove from the freezer and slice the cookies about ¼ inch thick. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

8) Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack for 2 hours.

9) Once the cookies are room temperature. Add the cherry butter cream frosting on top of the cookies.

for the cherry buttercream frosting

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 tablespoon cream

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 tablespoon cherry jam (see recipe below)

1)With an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar. Slowly add the remaining ingredients until fully incorporated.

for the cherry jam

3 pounds fresh cherries, pitted

pinch of kosher salt

3/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cinnamon stick

1) In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Stir and cover. Cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

2) Remove the lid, stir the mixture and increase the heat to medium or medium-high. Cook for 35-45 minutes (the cherries should maintain a steady boil). Stir frequently to prevent burning. When the mixture is reduced, thickened and coats the back of a spoon it is finished cooking.

3) Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Store in the fridge.