Indulge in the irresistible charm of these Cherry Ribbon Butter Cookies, a delightful slice-and-bake treat featuring a rich, buttery base beautifully intertwined with a vibrant, tangy ribbon of cherry jam. Perfect for gifting, holiday cookie platters, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of coffee, these cookies offer a sophisticated yet incredibly simple baking experience for any occasion.
The holiday season ushers in one of the most beloved traditions: cookie baking! The air fills with the sweet aromas of butter, sugar, and vanilla, transforming kitchens into joyful hubs of culinary creation. For many, including myself, this time of year is dedicated to crafting an array of delicious treats to share with cherished friends and family. Weeks before the festive lights even twinkle, I find myself meticulously planning which delectable cookies will grace my holiday trays. While certain timeless favorites consistently earn their spot, I always look forward to introducing two or three new Christmas cookie recipes to surprise and delight everyone.
This year, these exquisite Cherry Ribbon Butter Cookies are set to be a standout addition. They embody everything you could wish for in a holiday cookie: they’re incredibly simple to make, yet possess an elegance that belies their ease. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of a rich, tender butter cookie contrasting beautifully with a sweet and tangy ribbon of deep red cherry jam. The visual appeal alone makes them a showstopper, adding a vibrant pop of color to any holiday cookie tray.
The Magic of Slice-and-Bake Cookies for Busy Holidays
One of the greatest advantages of these cherry butter cookies is their slice-and-bake nature. This method is a true lifesaver during the bustling holiday season. Imagine preparing the dough in advance, rolling it into logs, and then simply slicing and baking whenever the craving strikes or unexpected guests arrive. This convenience means you can enjoy freshly baked cookies without the immediate rush and mess, making them ideal for modern holiday celebrations. They offer consistent results every time, ensuring your cookie platter always looks and tastes professional.
The inspiration for this particular easy butter cookie recipe comes from America’s Test Kitchen’s highly acclaimed book, The Perfect Cookie. This cookbook is a treasure trove for any cookie enthusiast. What sets America’s Test Kitchen apart is their meticulous, scientific approach to recipe development. They don’t just provide ingredients and steps; they delve into the “why” behind each technique, explaining how and why their recipes consistently yield perfect results. Their detailed explanations of tweaks and testing methods empower home bakers to understand and master the art of cookie making. I’ve personally experimented with numerous recipes from this book, and each one has been nothing short of exceptional. If you’re searching for a thoughtful gift for the cookie lover in your life, or simply want to elevate your own baking skills, this book is an absolute must-have.
Creating the Perfect Cherry Ribbon: Tips and Tricks
You might look at the intricate ribbon of jam in these Cherry Ribbon Butter Cookies and assume they are difficult to make, but I promise they are surprisingly simple. The key to achieving that beautiful, non-seeping jam layer lies in a clever technique. America’s Test Kitchen discovered that adding dried tart cherries to the jam mixture is crucial. These dried cherries not only intensify the flavor but also help thicken the jam, preventing it from bleeding into the delicate butter cookie dough during baking. This thoughtful detail ensures each cookie maintains its distinct layers and stunning appearance.
Beyond the cherry jam, the versatility of these slice-and-bake butter cookies is endless. While cherry offers a classic holiday flavor, I’ve also successfully made them with apricot jam for a delightful change. Looking ahead to spring, I’m excited to experiment with a bright blueberry-lemon combination. The core butter cookie dough provides a perfect canvas for various fruit fillings, allowing you to customize them for any season or preference. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your favorite jams and preserves!
I genuinely hope these homemade butter cookies secure a special place on your holiday cookie tray this year. They are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, guaranteed to impress anyone who tries them. Enjoy the process of baking them as much as you enjoy devouring them!
Essential Cook’s Notes for Perfect Cherry Ribbon Butter Cookies
Achieving perfectly shaped and textured slice and bake cookies requires attention to a few critical steps. These tips, refined by the experts at America’s Test Kitchen, will ensure your cherry jam cookies turn out beautifully every time:
- **The Role of Dried Tart Cherries in Jam:** As mentioned, the dried tart cherries are more than just a flavor enhancer. When heated with the cherry jam, they create a thicker, more stable filling. This viscosity is key to preventing the jam from seeping into the cookie dough layers during baking, maintaining that distinctive, beautiful ribbon effect. Do not omit this ingredient!
- **Embrace the Chill:** The importance of chilling the dough at various stages cannot be overstated. Butter cookies, especially those rolled and layered, benefit immensely from cold temperatures. Chilling the dough firm before rolling, after shaping, and again after stacking the jam layers prevents the butter from melting too quickly in the oven. This helps the cookies maintain their intricate shape, prevents excessive spreading, and results in a crisp, tender texture. Rushing this step often leads to flat, misshapen cookies, so patience is a virtue here.
- **Dough Consistency and Handling:** When processing the dough, ensure it forms a cohesive mass before transferring. Over-processing can develop too much gluten, leading to tough cookies. Work quickly when rolling and handling the dough, especially after it’s been chilled, to keep it cool and pliable.
- **Precise Jam Spreading:** When spreading the cherry mixture, aim for an even layer over the designated dough strips. This ensures a consistent ribbon throughout all your cookies. Avoid spreading too close to the edges to prevent squishing out when stacking.
- **Even Baking:** Preheat your oven thoroughly and utilize both middle and lower racks for optimal baking. Rotating the baking sheets halfway through ensures that all cookies bake evenly, resulting in uniform golden edges and a perfectly baked center. Keep a close eye on them; cookies can go from perfectly baked to overdone very quickly.
Cherry Ribbon Butter Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp. light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 12 chunks and softened to room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. almond extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup dried tart cherries
- 6 Tbsp. cherry jam or preserves
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar and salt and process until no clumps of brown sugar remain, about 30 seconds Add the butter, egg yolk and both the extracts and process until smooth and creamy, about 20 seconds making sure to scrape down the bowl when needed. Add the flour and pulse until the mixture forms a dough, roughly 20 pulses. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured counter and pat it into a 5-inch square. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
- In a small saucepan, heat the cherries and cherry jam or preserves over medium heat until just bubbly. Let the mixture cool completely, about 30 minutes. Process the jam in a dry, clean food processor until it’s smooth, about 15-20 seconds.
- Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it between two pieces of parchment paper into a 10-inch square, to about 1/4-inch thickness. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Cut the dough into four 2 1/2-inch strips. Spread the cherry mixture evenly over three of the strips, then stack the strips with the jam side up, ending with the plain strip on top. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 15-20 minutes.
- Adjust your oven racks to the middle and lower levels and preheat until 350 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch thick slices and place them 1 inch apart on your prepared sheets. Bake until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden, about 13-15 minutes, switching and rotating the trays halfway through baking time. Remove from oven and immediately transfer to wire racks. Repeat with any remaining dough. Let cookies cool before serving.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from The Perfect Cookie by America’s Test Kitchen
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