Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies with Orange-Pecan Spice and Jam Topping Recipe
These Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional shortbread, infused with warm spices, chopped pecans, and bright orange zest, topped with a light layer of jam and sparkling sugar for a festive finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet treat anytime, these cookies offer a tender, crumbly texture with a burst of fruity sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 medium-sized cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
For the Jam & Sparkling Sugar Topping:
- Homemade or prepared jam (plum, raspberry, or strawberry)
- Granulated sugar, for sprinkling
- Sparkling white sugar (such as Wiltons), for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set them aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, chopped pecans, granulated sugar, and freshly grated orange zest. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry blender or stand mixer with a paddle attachment on low speed, cut the room temperature salted butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles fine crumbs that start to cling together. The dough will still feel crumbly at this stage.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the crumbly mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it forms a smooth, compact ball. Flatten it slightly into a disk. This step may be a bit frustrating due to the dough’s texture.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about ½-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into your desired shapes and place the cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Apply Jam: Using a small paintbrush, lightly spread a thin layer of your chosen jam over each cookie, leaving a small border around the edges. This requires patience to avoid using too much jam.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, depending on cookie size, until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are set.
- Add Sugar Toppings: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar followed by sparkling white sugar to create a decorative, crunchy topping.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring them to a cooling rack or serving plate. Enjoy the cookies fresh for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature salted butter to ensure proper mixing and crumbly texture.
- Chopping your own nuts allows you to control size and freshness; pecans or walnuts both work equally well.
- Be patient when spreading jam to keep a thin, even layer and avoid soggy cookies.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
Keywords: Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies, spiced shortbread, orange pecan cookies, jam topped cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies
