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Jam Caves

Jam Caves, the Scandinavian version of thumbprints are buttery, tender, filled with jam, perfect with tea or coffee. Adapted from Scandinavian from Scratch
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: scandinavian
Keyword: cookies, jam, jam caves, Kantine
Servings: 16 cookies

Ingredients

Cream mixture:

  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 256 grams
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar 66 grams
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar 62 grams
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 384 grams
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to finish

To Finish Cookies:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon demerara sugar
  • ¾ cup black currant jam or jam of choice 150 grams

Instructions

  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Line 13 by 18-inch (33 by 46 cm) baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar on medium until soft and creamy, pausing halfway through to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated. The dough will be fairly thick. Divide the dough into two equal portions.
  • Lightly dust a work surface with flour, then roll each ball of dough into a log about 12-16 inches (30 cm) long. Cut each log into 8-12 cookies at 1½-inch (3.5 cm) intervals and arrange them on the prepared baking trays, spaced 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) apart.
  • Use your thumb to make a careful depression in the top of each cookie. Your thumb should come about ¼ inch shy of the baking tray. Be careful not to push all the way through the dough. As you press down, the cookie will expand into a rounded shape. Don’t worry if the edges of the dough crack a little.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a fork. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush each cookie with the egg wash, focusing on the edges. Sprinkle the tops with the demerara sugar.
  • Drop a heaping teaspoon of the jam into the center of each cookie.
  • Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, rotating the baking trays halfway through from top to bottom and front to back, until golden at the edges and the jam is set. Transfer them to a rack to cool completely. Store the cookies in an airtight container, where they will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Notes

Makes 16-24 cookies.