Name: Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: PT-497167H25M52S
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 Cups all-purpose flour; 1 Teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 Teaspoon salt; 1 Cup granulated sugar; 3/4 Cup unsalted butter (at room temperature); 2 eggs; 1 orange zest (from one orange); 1 orange juice (juice from one orange); 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 Cup unsalted butter (at room temperature); 2 1/2 Cups icing sugar (add more if needed); 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 Tablespoons orange juice (add more if needed); 1/3 Cup raspberry jam; Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 14 reviews

I absolutely adore making and sharing this Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe; it combines tender, citrus-kissed cookies with a luscious raspberry jam and buttery frosting that always brings a smile. The blend of orange zest and juice in the dough adds such a fresh brightness, and the sweet jam center paired with creamy buttercream makes each bite feel like a special treat. Whether I’m baking for a holiday, a party, or just because, these cookies never fail to impress and satisfy everyone who tries them.

Why You'll Love This Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe

One thing I love about this Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe is how the flavors balance perfectly to create a truly memorable taste. The orange zest and juice add a subtle citrus freshness that cuts through the sweetness of the raspberry jam and buttercream frosting, giving the cookies a dimension that feels both bright and indulgent. This combination results in a cookie that is just the right amount of tender and crumbly, with a creamy, fruity center. I find that little pop of raspberry jam nestled inside always creates a delightful surprise with each bite.

Another reason I keep coming back to this recipe is how approachable it is to make, even if you’re not usually a cookie expert. The dough is straightforward to prepare and chill, and the step-by-step process really helps you create those charming sandwich cookies that look bakery-worthy. They’re perfect for gatherings where you want something sweet and impressive but without the fuss. I often bring these out for holidays, tea parties, and weekend treats, and they always draw compliments. Plus, they store really well!

Ingredients You'll Need

This image shows baking ingredients neatly arranged on a white textured cloth over a white marbled surface. There are three metal measuring cups filled with white flour, granulated sugar, and dark red berry jam, positioned in the top center, bottom left, and top right of the image. A light yellow block of butter sits in a small white bowl on the left side. A white egg is placed near the center, close to a whole bright orange. To the right of the orange, three small metal measuring spoons hold white powder, a dark liquid, and a small amount of pink salt, lined up horizontally. Near the center bottom is a yellow, flower-shaped cookie cutter. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredients for this recipe are simple staples that come together to create something truly special. Each item plays a key role: the flour forms the perfect sturdy base, the orange zest and juice brighten the dough, and the butter and sugar create a tender, sweet crumb. The raspberry jam adds the essential fruity center, and the buttercream frosting ties everything together with its silky texture.

All-purpose flour: The foundation for a tender yet sturdy cookie base.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a light texture.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that tender crumb.
Unsalted butter: Key for richness and the perfect buttery flavor; make sure it’s at room temperature.
Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cookie’s structure.
Orange zest and juice: Adds fresh, bright citrus notes that really brighten the entire cookie.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
Icing sugar: Essential for the smooth, creamy buttercream frosting.
Raspberry jam: Provides the sweet and slightly tart surprise center that makes the sandwich so special.

Directions

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, I combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, whisking them together to make sure everything is evenly distributed. Once mixed, I set this dry mixture aside—this will be the base of our dough.

Step 2: Using an electric mixer, I cream together the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step takes about 2-3 minutes and is key for achieving that tender texture in the cookies.

Step 3: I add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. This blend infuses the dough with a lovely citrus aroma and flavor.

Step 4: Next, I gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together and everything is well combined. Overmixing here can toughen cookies, so I keep it gentle.

Step 5: I divide the dough into two balls, wrap each tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them for at least an hour. This chilling step makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies keep their shape during baking.

Step 6: Once chilled, I preheat my oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and either grease baking sheets or line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 7: I roll one dough ball out on a lightly floured surface until it’s about ⅛ inch thick. Then, I use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. For half of the cookies, I cut out a smaller hole in the center to create the sandwich “top.” I repeat this process with the second dough ball.

Step 8: I arrange the cookies neatly on baking sheets and bake them for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just turning a golden brown color. This timing ensures they’re tender but firm enough to sandwich.

Step 9: After baking, I carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling before decorating is essential to prevent the buttercream from melting.

Step 10: For the buttercream, I cream together the softened butter, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and orange juice until the mixture is smooth and spreadable. Adjusting the orange juice lets me control the frosting’s texture perfectly.

Step 11: I put the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with my preferred tip, then pipe a ring of buttercream onto the solid cookie bottoms. I next add a small dollop of raspberry jam in the center of the ring for that delicious burst of fruitiness.

Step 12: Finally, I sandwich each jam-filled cookie with one of the cookies that have the hole in the center. If I want, I dust the finished cookies lightly with icing sugar for a pretty touch.

Servings and Timing

This Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe makes about 18 delicious sandwiches, perfect for sharing or gifting. The prep time is roughly 20 minutes, with an additional 1 hour to chill the dough. Baking takes around 10 to 12 minutes per batch, and allow another 30 minutes for the cookies to cool completely before decorating. In total, expect about 1 hour and 40 minutes from start to finish. This pacing lets you enjoy the process without feeling rushed, resulting in perfect cookies every time.

How to Serve This Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe

A small sandwich cookie broken in half shows three layers: a bottom thin, light brown crunchy cookie layer; a middle creamy pale yellow filling; and a top layer of shiny red berry jam. The cookie on the white marbled surface is dusted with powdered sugar and has a round hole in the center revealing the dark red jam inside. In the background, out of focus, there is a white cup. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Whenever I serve these jam sandwich cookies, I love pairing them with a hot cup of tea or a freshly brewed coffee because the citrus and fruity notes in the cookies complement those warm beverages beautifully. For an extra special occasion, setting them alongside a platter of assorted nuts and fresh berries makes a lovely dessert spread. They also hold up well on cookie trays for parties, adding both charm and flavor variety.

Presentation-wise, I enjoy arranging the cookies on a pretty plate or tiered cake stand, dusted lightly with icing sugar to enhance their homemade elegance. For kids’ parties, I sometimes add colorful sprinkles on top of the buttercream before sandwiching the cookies, which adds a fun touch without overwhelming the original flavors. Serving these at room temperature really brings out the full flavor of the raspberry jam and the buttery cookie texture.

These cookies truly shine at afternoon gatherings, holiday celebrations, or even as a special weekend treat when you want to impress family or friends. I find that they invite smiles no matter the occasion, and their moderate size makes portioning easy—you can serve two or three with a drink, or a small handful as a delightful nibble.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. For instance, if you prefer a different fruit flavor, swapping the raspberry jam for strawberry, apricot, or even blackberry jam creates delightful variations. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or cardamom to the dough for a warm, spiced twist that’s perfect for cozy months.

For friends or family with dietary restrictions, I’ve experimented successfully with gluten-free all-purpose flour blends in place of regular flour, which still delivers that tender cookie texture. If you want to make the recipe vegan, replacing the butter with a plant-based margarine and using flax eggs instead of chicken eggs works well—though the dough might be a touch more delicate, chilling it thoroughly helps maintain structure.

Another option I enjoy is swapping out the orange juice and zest for lemon or lime to give the cookies a different citrus character. If you want a richer, more decadent frosting, adding a bit of cream cheese to the buttercream adds tang and creaminess that balances the sweetness beautifully. And if you’re pressed for time, you can shape the dough into small balls, chill, and bake as thumbprint cookies, piping the buttercream and dolloping jam on top once cooled.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover jam sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep their crisp edges and soft centers just right. They typically stay fresh for up to 4 days this way. If the kitchen is warm, I prefer to keep them in the fridge in a sealable container to prevent the buttercream from softening too much, but I allow them to come to room temperature before serving to bring back their full flavor and texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze really well, whether unassembled or fully sandwiched. I usually place the cooled cookies (without frosting and jam) in a single layer on a tray and freeze them for about an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When freezing the finished sandwich cookies, I wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them together. They keep up to 2 months in the freezer. To thaw, I leave them in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

Reheating

Since these are delicate sandwich cookies with buttercream, I don’t recommend reheating in a microwave or oven—it can melt the frosting and make the cookies lose their texture. Instead, I suggest simply bringing frozen or refrigerated cookies back to room temperature before serving. This method helps the buttercream soften gently while preserving the cookie’s buttery crunch and jam center’s brightness.

FAQs

Can I use other types of jam for this recipe?

Absolutely! While raspberry jam is my personal favorite here because it pairs beautifully with orange, strawberry, apricot, or blackberry jams also work wonderfully. Just pick a jam that’s thick and spreadable to avoid sogginess.

Do I have to use fresh orange zest and juice?

Fresh orange zest and juice really bring brightness and depth to the cookies that dried or bottled alternatives can’t match. I highly recommend using fresh for the best flavor, but if you’re out, a teaspoon of good-quality orange extract can serve as a substitute in a pinch.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! I often prepare the dough the day before, chilling it overnight for even better flavor and texture. You can also bake the cookies a day or two in advance and store them properly until ready to assemble and serve.

What’s the best way to roll out the dough?

I find rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper or lightly flouring the surface and rolling pin works best. Aim for a uniform ⅛ inch thickness to ensure even baking and the perfect cookie texture.

Can I make the buttercream frosting without orange juice?

You can omit the orange juice if citrus isn’t your thing, but I encourage you to try it—it adds a lovely flavor and helps thin the frosting for easy piping. Otherwise, you can substitute a teaspoon of milk or cream to reach the desired consistency.

Conclusion

I hope you find as much joy in making and savoring this Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipe as I do. It’s a recipe that feels both classic and special, filled with fresh, bright flavors and that comforting homemade charm. Whether you bake them for a cozy afternoon or an elegant gathering, these cookies never disappoint, and I can’t wait for you to share them with the people you love!