Thank you so much for being here, my friend! Truly — I’m always grateful when you choose to bake along with me. Today, I’m sharing one of those recipes that feels quietly elegant but wildly comforting: Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies.
Right after the title, let’s say it plainly for SEO and for love: Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies are tender, rich, melt-in-your-mouth cookies swirled with sweet raspberry jam, and they’re just as perfect for holiday trays as they are for afternoon tea or late-night snacking.
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Overview of Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies
These cookies are classic shortbread at heart — rich with butter, delicate in texture — but elevated with a beautiful swirl of raspberry jam that adds fruity brightness and visual charm.
Why you’ll love them
- Ultra-buttery and tender
- Not overly sweet
- Naturally beautiful (no decorating needed!)
- Perfect for gifting, holidays, or tea time
What they taste like
Soft, crumbly shortbread that dissolves on the tongue, followed by a gentle pop of sweet-tart raspberry. They’re refined without being fussy — the kind of cookie Nonna would quietly sneak two of with her espresso.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup raspberry jam (seedless preferred)
Tools needed
- Mixing bowl
- Electric hand or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small offset spatula or knife
Substitutions & additions
- Swap raspberry jam for strawberry, apricot, or blackberry
- Add lemon zest to the dough for brightness
- A drizzle of white chocolate once baked is absolutely dreamy
If you love elegant bakes like this, you’ll also enjoy:
- 9 Luxuriously Decadent Reasons This Ferrero Rocher Cake Is Pure Chocolate Heaven
https://poulef.com/ferrero-rocher-cake
And of course, Pinterest inspiration lives here:
https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/
How to Make Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies
Take a breath — this dough is forgiving and a joy to work with.
- Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until pale, fluffy, and luxurious — about 2–3 minutes. - Add Vanilla
Mix in the vanilla extract. That smell? That’s happiness. - Add Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix in flour and salt until a soft dough forms. Stop as soon as it comes together — shortbread loves restraint. - Shape the Dough
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll gently into balls. Place them on the baking sheet, spacing slightly apart. - Create the Swirl
Press a thumb or spoon gently into the center of each cookie. Fill with about ½ teaspoon raspberry jam and lightly swirl. - Bake
Bake for 14–17 minutes, just until set. These cookies should stay pale — no browning! - Cool
Let rest on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
What to Serve with Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies
These cookies shine alongside:
- Hot Earl Grey or chamomile tea
- Espresso or cappuccino
- Sparkling lemonade for spring gatherings
- A holiday cookie platter centerpiece
Tips for Making Them Perfect
- Butter must be room temperature, not melted
- Don’t overfill the jam — less swirl, more elegance
- Use seedless jam for smooth texture
- Chill dough 20 minutes if it feels too soft
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Airtight container, up to 5 days
- Refrigerator: Up to 7 days
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months
- Reheat: 5 minutes in a 300°F oven refreshes them beautifully
General Information
Shortbread dates back to Scotland, prized for its simplicity and rich butter flavor. Swirled jam versions became popular in European tea culture — elegant, economical, and deeply satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes! Chill up to 24 hours. Let soften slightly before shaping.
Why didn’t my cookies spread?
That’s perfect — shortbread is meant to hold its shape.
Can I use homemade jam?
Absolutely! Just make sure it’s thick.
Are these good for gifting?
They’re exceptional for gifting — sturdy, pretty, and timeless.
Conclusion
These Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies are everything a great cookie should be: simple, beautiful, and deeply comforting. Whether for holidays, tea time, or “just because,” they always feel special.
If you loved these, try my Ferrero Rocher Cake or Coconut Flour Carrot Cake next — pure joy, every slice.
Interactive Elements
Leave a review, drop a comment below, and don’t forget to share your cookies on Pinterest and tag me:
https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie – Approx.)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 115 |
| Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Fiber | 0.5g |
| Protein | 1.5g |
| Sodium | 40mg |
Absolutely Dreamy Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies — 9 Powerful Reasons They’ll Steal Your Heart
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Buttery Raspberry Swirl Shortbread Cookies are rich, tender, and melt in your mouth with every bite. Swirled with sweet raspberry jam, they’re simple yet elegant cookies perfect for holidays, tea time, or gifting.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup raspberry jam (seedless preferred)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
5. Roll dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on baking sheet.
6. Press a small indentation into each cookie and fill with raspberry jam.
7. Lightly swirl the jam with a toothpick or spoon.
8. Bake for 14–17 minutes until set but not browned.
9. Cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Use room temperature butter for best texture.
Avoid overbaking—shortbread should remain pale.
Seedless jam gives the smoothest swirl.
Cookies firm up as they cool.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 115
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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Gianna Poulef
I’m Gianna Poulef from Poulef Recipes. I love sharing perfected dishes from my kitchen. I’m sure they’ll earn a spot in your heart. Let’s savor this journey together!.
Let’s be friends!
