Jam Shortbread are made with just four ingredients, but they’re delicious and impressive enough to serve to guests or display on a holiday cookie platter. This easy recipe will become a holiday favorite.
Happy Monday, friends! I know, I know…most people don’t use the word “happy” to describe their Monday, but when we’re talking about cookies first thing in the morning, how could it be a bad day?
Since I started working for myself, I don’t mind Mondays. It doesn’t mean going back to school like it used to, but instead it means I get to jump back into my work…and for me, my work is definitely more like fun, so I really can’t complain.
As the days become shorter and shorter (seriously…4pm sunsets?!?!) and winter becomes more evident with each passing day, the holiday season feels just within reach. And friends, there is no better time to have your life revolve around baked goods then the holidays!
Because right around now, as people start planning their Thanksgiving menus, go to holiday parties with cookie platters in tow, and Christmas menus are developed…everyone else gets almost as obsessed with food and baking as I am. I’ve already started churning out Christmas cookies, holiday pies, and easy candies from my kitchen and I’ve been hard at work developing recipes I know you will love to make, taste, and share this holiday season.
When it comes to holiday baking, I try to make sure that the desserts I make are three things: super delicious, pretty enough to share, and easier to make than they look. I know how busy we all are during the holidays and no one wants to spend all of their potential family time in the kitchen.
These Jam Shortbread check each of the boxes. With only four ingredients (+ two optional if you’re feeling fancy) that you probably already have in the cupboard, these are about as easy as it gets. The shortbread is made with butter, white sugar, and flour. You could make this super quick and whip the dough together in two seconds in a stand mixer, but I like taking the time to stir the ingredients together by hand.
Once the dough has come together, just press it into a square baking pan and bake it off for 15 minutes. After the shortbread has par-baked, top with your favorite flavor of jam and bake for a little while longer. I used Marionberry jam from a local farm that sells jam at the farmer’s market in my neighborhood – it was fabulous! I opted to top my bars with a sprinkle of sliced almonds to add some extra texture and flavor, but the almonds are definitely not necessary to make these delicious.
Once cooled, slice into triangles to give a bit of extra pizzazz and make them seem a little fancier than the four ingredient treats they are. You can also sprinkle on powdered sugar if so desired. These simple beauties will melt in your mouth and I bet you’ll have a hard time sharing them with others – I know I did!

Good thing it doesn’t take long to make another batch – enjoy!!
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Remember to #bakerita if you try the recipe!

Jam Shortbread
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup fruit jam, I used Marionberry
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, optional
- Powdered sugar, optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, mix together 2/3 cup butter, white sugar, and flour until evenly crumbly. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the dough for topping. Press the rest of the dough into a prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and spread the jam on top. Crumble the reserved dough on top. Sprinkle with almonds if using.
- Return to the oven and bake until the edges are golden brown, 20 more minutes.
- Let cool completely before cutting. Once cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar if using. Cut into 16 bars or triangles.

These cookies are so pretty, Rachel! Definitely needed for a Monday (and Tuesday). This is making me excited for all things to come for the holiday season!
Any day that starts with cookies, is a good day :)
Jam shortbread cookies are one of my favorites! Totally digging the fact that you put these beauties in bar form! They’re absolutely stunning, Rachel!
AWESOME! I Love jam and shortbread together, and this pretty presentation is pure sugary snow-topped joy.
Cookies totally make Monday’s a heck of a lot better… well they make EVERYDAY better! :) I have started to planning my holiday menus, but I was missing cookies. Until now! I love these shortbread cookies, girlfriend! I am definitely going to go the “fancy” route and add the two extra ingredients, because the jam on these looks so festively fun and delicious! Pinned! Cheers, my dear!
I love your criteria for choosing desserts, “easier to make than it looks” is my secret weapon in the kitchen. Loving these shortbreads!
Cookies and Mondays should go hand with hand. Especially when cookies look as delish as these and mondays are as sucky as mine hahaha!!! I’ll take a dozen please! x
Shortbread is one of my absolute favorites to make during the holidays! This looks so so good!
I think Monday could become my favorite day of the week if it included these beauties! Love shortbread cookies, my friend! Delicious!
The whole dark at 4 PM thing upsets me to no end. It’s dark all the dang time! Why? Why?!
These look like my jam (sorry, had to). They’re so gorgeous!
Haha! They’re totally your jam :) thanks, Mir!