Jammie Dodger Cookies (Linzer Cookies)

These homemade Jammie Dodger Cookies, sometimes called Linzer Cookies, are a tasty cookie sandwich using a shortbread cookie with sweet jam. We’ve added a dusting of powdered sugar to make them extra special.

Close up of heart shaped jam cookie


 

What are Jammie Dodgers?

If you live in the UK, your question is probably “why haven’t you heard of these iconic cookies?” but if you live in the states, chances are you’ve never heard of them.

Biscuits, as they are called in the UK, are a jam filled shortbread cookie, generally strawberry or raspberry. They are similar to thumbprint cookies, but flat.

jammie dodgers cookies on parchment on a baking sheet

Ours are slightly Americanized because our cookie base is more of a sugar cookie than shortbread.

They are commonly served with tea or for dessert and are only slightly sweet, but totally scrumptious. When I visited London, we enjoyed them along with our tea serve at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

stacked jammie dodger cookies with red and white linen

How are shortbread and sugar cookies different?

The two big differences are ratios and eggs. Sugar cookies typically contain eggs and have a lower ratio of butter to flour, while shortbread cookie recipes have a higher ratio of butter to flour.

strawberry jam cookie on small what plates with fresh strawberries

Shortbread are more crumbly and fragile, while sugar cookies are a little more sturdy due to having structure from the egg.

Shape

The original Jammie Dodger is a circle cookie with a small heart in the center. I really love the look of ruby red jam, so ours are a little larger- both the cookie and cutout.

sugar cookie dough rolled out with heart shaped cookie cutters

You can really use whatever shape you desire, but for our purposes of Valentine’s Day, a heart was perfect. I put them on a tray with chocolate dipped strawberries and it was divine!

To make the cut-out, I used two sizes of heart shaped cookie cutters. You can find a set on Amazon here. They come in handy for decorating pies, baking Christmas cookies and of course, Valentine’s Day cookies!

bite taken out of a jammie dodger cookie

You can still bake the smaller heart cookies and just serve them seperate or let the kids decorate them like regular sugar cookie cut outs.

Filling

Traditionally, Jammies use raspberry jam or strawberry jam, but just like the shape, this flavor can be customized as well.

strawberry jam on sugar cookies on a baking sheet

Cherry jam can be used, along with any other type of fruit jam. And if you want to get totally bonkers and drop the red color, Bacon Jam is another fun variation.

Storage & Freezing

Jammie Dodgers can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. The jam won’t set, so make sure to use parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Like any cookie, they are best enjoyed within 2-3 days of baking.

white serving platter of strawberry jam cookies with milk and small white plates

But if you want to make them ahead of time, feel free to freeze the cookies. I recoomend freezing the baked cookie peices, but waiting to stuff and assemble them until you are ready to serve.

Jams in generally don’t defrost well and will make the rest of the cookie soggy.

overhead of jammie dodger cookie with red and white straws
close up of stack of potato chip chocolate chip cookies

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chocolate pecan cookie bars

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A close up of peanut butter cookies

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close up strawberry jam cookie for pinterest
overhead of jammie dodger cookies

Jammie Dodger Cookie Sandwiches

4.15 from 14 votes
Jammie Dodger Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for Valentines Day- sugar cookies sandwiches with sticky sweet strawberry jam.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 20

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, stir together flour and baking powder. Add half to wet mixture, blend well and then add the other half.
  • Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour, but no longer than 24 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper.
  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out two large hearts. In the center of one large heart, cut out a smaller heart. Transfer one whole large heart and large heart with center removed to a parchment lined baking sheet. Continue until no dough is left. I used a 4 and 3 inch cookie cutter.
  • Bake each batch for 7-11 minutes (time will vary greatly depending on how large your cookies are).
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool fully.
  • After cookies have cooled, spread strawberry jam on the large, whole heart.
  • Top with a cut-out cookie. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it went in the comments or ratings!

Nutrition

Calories: 313 kcal, Carbohydrates: 46 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 13 g, Saturated Fat: 7 g, Cholesterol: 49 mg, Sodium: 121 mg, Potassium: 91 mg, Sugar: 23 g, Vitamin A: 400 IU, Vitamin C: 1.5 mg, Calcium: 32 mg, Iron: 1.4 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 313
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: jammie dodgers, valentines day cookies
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
strawberry jammie dodger cookie for pinterest
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.15 from 14 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious!! Fantastic recipe! I used a homemade cherry jam and they were delectable. Kept them in an airtight contain overnight, and they were even better! You can definitely modify this recipe to make smaller cookies (these are ginormous) or use a different shape to make Xmas cookies. Thank you for sharing this!

  2. The Valentine’s Strawberry Jam Cookies look so pretty and tasty. Have pinned to my Valentine’s Day Food and Crafts Board.

  3. Those cookies look amazing,Would be perfect with cup of tea. Happy to be co hosting Angels giveaway with you. I am liking, following and ♥ing you Hugs! P.S. have you entered my latest giveaway?