Melt-in-Your-Mouth Strawberry Jam Shortbread Cookies : sablé sandwich

French

These ultra-tender shortbread cookies filled with strawberry jam, called sablés à la confiture in french cuisine, are a delight.

Rich in butter yet slightly crisp, they just melt in your mouth, the perfect treat for a cosy afternoon snack or a special occasion.

Strawberry Jam-Filled Sablé Sandwiches

Today I’m sharing a truly irresistible recipe: melt-in-the-mouth shortbread cookies with strawberry jam! 

known also as Linzer cookies, since they’re made in a similar way to the famous Austrian Linzer torte.

These delicate little sablé biscuits, rich with butter and just a touch of crispness, dissolve on the tongue for pure indulgence.

Perfect for afternoon tea or festive occasions like Christmass or Eid al-Fitr, they quickly become a staple on any dessert table.

At home, these shortbreads are always at the top of my list of cookies to bake for special gatherings.

Key Ingredients for Melt-in-the-Mouth Jam Shortbread Cookies

To get the perfect buttery texture and balanced flavour, each ingredient has its role. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 250 g unsalted butter (room temperature) : Always use real butter, not margarine, which changes both taste and texture. Butter gives richness and that melt-in-the-mouth feel. Make sure it’s softened by leaving it out of the fridge in advance.
• 100 g cornstarch (cornflour/maizena) : Essential for a lighter dough. It creates that delicate crumbly, tender bite.
• 125 g icing sugar (powdered sugar) : Prefer icing sugar over granulated sugar — it blends smoothly and makes the shortbread soft and fine.
• 2 egg yolks : Add tenderness and help the cookies hold their shape after baking.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar (or vanilla extract) : Adds a gentle aroma that enhances the butter and jam flavour.
• ½ teaspoon baking powder : Ensures a lighter texture while keeping the shortbread slightly crisp.
• Flour (as needed) : Add gradually until the dough is soft, smooth, and non-sticky — not too dry and not too wet.

The Filling

• Use your favourite jam to sandwich the cookies together.
• Here, I’ve chosen homemade strawberry jam for its fruity sweetness, but apricot jam also works beautifully. For a brighter colour, you can mix in a touch of red food colouring.
• If your jam is too thick, loosen it slightly with a splash of orange blossom water for a smoother spread.

How to Make Jam-Filled Shortbread Cookies

Note: In the step-by-step photos, the recipe was prepared in double quantity compared to the recipe card below.

1. Prepare the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the icing sugar and vanilla sugar until the mixture is light and creamy.
• Add the egg yolks and mix well until fully combined.

2. Add the Dry Ingredients

• Stir in the cornstarch (cornflour).
• Mix the baking powder with a little flour, then add it to the bowl.
• Gradually incorporate the rest of the flour in small amounts, mixing gently until you achieve a soft, pliable dough.
• Avoid overworking the dough — this helps keep the cookies tender and melt-in-the-mouth.

3. Chill and Shape

• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Once rested, roll out small portions of dough on a lightly floured surface.
• Cut out cookies with your favourite cookie cutters (round, heart, flower, or festive shapes).

4. Bake the Cookies

• Arrange the cut-out biscuits on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10–12 minutes, keeping a close eye so they stay pale with just a hint of golden edges.

5- Assembly and Decoration

• Once the cookies have cooled completely, sandwich them two by two with strawberry jam.
• Dip the edges into crushed peanuts for a crunchy finish and an extra touch of indulgence.

Tips for Perfect Jam-Filled Shortbread Cookies

1. Prepare Ingredients Ahead of Time

• Take the butter and eggs out of the fridge in advance so they come to room temperature.
• Butter that’s too cold or eggs that are too fresh from the fridge can make the dough stiff and difficult to handle.

2. Handle the Dough Gently

• Mix just enough to bring the ingredients together — avoid overworking the dough. Too much handling activates the gluten in the flour, making the cookies tough instead of tender.
• If the dough becomes too soft due to kitchen warmth, chill it for a few minutes. This firms up the butter and makes shaping much easier.

3. Roll Out Dough Without Hassle

• To avoid adding excess flour on your work surface, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. This prevents sticking and keeps the texture light.
• When gathering dough scraps, don’t overwork them. Simply press them together gently and roll out again with minimal handling.

4. Bake for Evenly Cooked Cookies

• Let the cookies rest on the baking tray for a few minutes before moving them. They’re fragile when hot and may break if handled too soon.
• If your oven runs hot, bake solid cookies and cut-out cookies on separate trays. The ones with cut-outs bake faster and can brown too quickly if left unattended.

 

The Secret to Perfect Shortbread? The Dough!

For that flawless texture, handle your dough quickly. If the kitchen is warm, chill a baking sheet in the freezer.
If the dough softens too much, place the cold sheet directly on top for a few minutes — it firms up instantly.

A Filling That’s Yours to Choose

Traditionally, these cookies are filled with jam, but caramel or Nutella make them even more indulgent.
Here I’ve used homemade strawberry jam, which gives them a sweet, fruity flavour that’s impossible to resist.

Cookies You Can Adapt Any Way You Like

Inspired by Linzer biscuits, they’re crisp on the outside, tender inside, and lifted by their filling.
At my house, the children prefer them with chocolate rather than apricot jam… but that’s the beauty of this recipe — you can make them your own.

A simple pleasure, yet so delicious. Ready to bake a batch of these buttery, jam-filled delights?

Choosing the Right Cookie Cutter for Perfect Shortbread

One of the most important factors for making flawless shortbread cookies is selecting the right cookie cutter. It’s not just about looks — practicality matters too.

In the video below, you’ll see melt-in-the-mouth caramel shortbreads made with a cutter that gives them a refined, elegant shape.

However, I ran into a small issue: when cutting out the star in the centre of the decorative tops, I positioned it slightly too close to the edge. The result?

The cookies turned out more fragile, and some broke with the slightest movement.

A little kitchen mishap also taught me a lesson: when I placed the hot tray on the counter, a few cookies cracked straight out of the oven. Frustrating, yes — but it reminded me how important proper cutter placement is.

If you’d like to try another delicious variation, don’t miss this caramel shortbread cookie recipe video for more inspiration.

Enjoying Shortbread Cookies and Perfect Pairings

These shortbread cookies are the perfect match for a fragrant tea, a strong coffee, or a rich hot chocolate.

Their buttery, melt-in-the-mouth texture and fruity filling pair beautifully with a warm drink, enhancing every bite.

If you enjoy contrasts, serve them with a light vanilla cream or a scoop of ice cream for a refreshing, indulgent twist.

Whether it’s for a cosy family snack, a sweet break with friends, or a festive occasion like Eid, these shortbreads are always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.