Buttery Raspberry Crumble Cookies

Golden, buttery cookies with a sweet raspberry jam center and a tender crumble topping—Buttery Raspberry Crumble Cookies are the kind of treat that vanishes faster than you expect. And truly, they deserve it! These cookies bring together rich shortbread dough, bright and tangy raspberry jam, and a crisp, golden crumble that offers just the right amount of texture in every bite.

What Are Buttery Raspberry Crumble Cookies?

These cookies are a comforting twist on traditional thumbprint cookies, but they pack even more personality. The base is a buttery shortbread-style dough—soft, tender, and just salty enough to balance the sweet. Instead of merely pressing a thumbprint into each dough ball, we create a little well and generously fill it with raspberry jam. To finish things off, we crumble some reserved dough over the top, which bakes into a delicate, golden crust.

These are the cookies that look charmingly rustic yet always stand out at a party or cookie exchange. You’ll love how easy they are to make, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly they disappear once served.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple pantry staples: No need for complicated or fancy ingredients.
• No chill time required: You can go from mixing bowl to oven in under 15 minutes.
• Beautiful presentation: The glossy jam and golden crumble make them almost too pretty to eat—almost.
• Perfect for all occasions: Holiday gifting, weeknight baking, or even just a cozy weekend treat.
• Customizable flavors: Switch the jam or add a hint of citrus or spice for your own twist.

The Taste of Raspberry Crumble Cookies

What do these cookies taste like? Pure comfort with a touch of sunshine.

The cookie base is tender and buttery with that rich melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes shortbread such a beloved classic. The raspberry jam is the flavor star—bringing in bright, fruity, slightly tart notes that contrast beautifully with the sweet dough. The crumble topping, baked until just golden, adds a subtle crispness and visual appeal. It’s like a jam tart and a sugar cookie had a baby—and that baby is absolutely delicious.

Benefits of Baking These Cookies

Beyond the taste and appearance, these cookies have some serious baking perks:

• Easy to prep ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen.
• Kid-friendly activity: Kids love to help with the jam filling and crumble topping.
• Great for sharing: Their durability makes them perfect for packaging and gifting.
• Scalable: Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just a small batch for yourself, the recipe scales easily.

Ingredients for Buttery Raspberry Crumble Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup raspberry jam (store-bought or homemade)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls (one large, one small)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Spoon or thumb for pressing wells
• Wire cooling rack

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

This recipe is flexible and fun to tweak, depending on your taste preferences or what you have in the pantry.

Jam Options:
Don’t feel limited to raspberry. This recipe works beautifully with strawberry, blackberry, cherry, fig, or even lemon curd for a zesty variation.

Flavor Boosters:
Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough for an extra bright, citrusy flavor. You can also stir in ½ teaspoon of almond extract for a bakery-style depth.

Nutty Crumble:
Mix 2–3 tablespoons of finely chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts into the reserved crumble dough for a bit of extra crunch and flavor.

Spices:
Cinnamon, cardamom, or even a dash of ginger can be added to the dough or crumble to create a seasonal variation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Add Vanilla
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix in the vanilla extract until well incorporated.

Make the Dough
Add the flour and salt to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. The dough will be soft and a little crumbly, but should hold together when pressed.

Reserve Crumble Dough
Scoop out about ½ cup of the dough and place it in a separate bowl. Set it aside for the crumble topping.

Form the Cookies
With the remaining dough, roll into 1½-inch balls and place them a few inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to gently press a well into the center of each ball.

Fill with Jam
Spoon ½ to 1 teaspoon of raspberry jam into the center of each cookie, filling the wells but not overflowing.

Add the Crumble Topping
Take the reserved dough and crumble it evenly over the tops of the cookies. This will bake into a delicate, golden crust.

Bake
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 13–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the crumble topping is just beginning to brown.

Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The jam will set as they cool, making them easier to handle and store.

What to Serve with Raspberry Crumble Cookies

These cookies are delightful on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with:

• A cup of chamomile or Earl Grey tea
• A glass of cold milk (classic and cozy!)
• A drizzle of dark chocolate for added indulgence
• A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a simple plated dessert

Pro Tips for Success

• Use room-temperature butter for best creaming results.
• Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour; just mix until the dough comes together.
• Choose high-quality jam for the best flavor. A thicker jam will stay nicely in the well while baking.
• Let cookies cool completely before storing or stacking to avoid sticky messes.
• For evenly baked cookies, rotate your pan halfway through the baking time.

How to Store Buttery Raspberry Crumble Cookies

At Room Temperature:
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.

In the Fridge:
If your kitchen is particularly warm, you can refrigerate them. They’ll keep for up to 10 days—just bring them to room temp before serving.

Freezing:
You can freeze the shaped but unbaked dough balls (without jam) on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, fill with jam and bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter?
Yes! Simply omit the added ¼ teaspoon of salt from the recipe to balance it out.

Can I make these gluten-free?
Definitely. Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur, and the cookies will still bake up beautifully.

Can I double the batch?
Absolutely. This recipe doubles (or even triples) easily. Just bake in batches and make sure you don’t overcrowd your baking sheet.

How do I keep the jam from spreading?
Use a thicker jam and avoid overfilling the wells. Stick to about ½ to 1 teaspoon per cookie.

Can I use homemade jam?
Yes! Homemade jam works wonderfully and adds a personal touch. Just make sure it’s thick enough to stay in place while baking.

Conclusion

There’s so much to love about Buttery Raspberry Crumble Cookies. They’re simple, nostalgic, and absolutely bursting with flavor. Whether you’re making them to share, to gift, or to enjoy all to yourself with a cup of tea, these cookies never disappoint.

I promised you a versatile treat—and here it is! You can change the jam, spice up the crumble, or double the batch and freeze half for a rainy day. The smell when they’re in the oven is incredible, and the taste? Even better. This is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

If you’re in the mood to keep baking and want a few more ideas to sweeten your day, try one of these other irresistible treats:

• PB&J Cupcakes: A nostalgic twist in cupcake form, filled with jam and topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting.
• Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake: The ultimate single-serve indulgence, ready in minutes!
• Oreo Ice Cream Cake (No Bake): An effortless crowd-pleaser perfect for celebrations.

Join the Conversation

Did you make these cookies? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a review below and tag your creations on Pinterest so others can see your delicious results. There’s nothing better than seeing these treats come to life in your kitchens.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per cookie)

• Calories: 150
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 1.5g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sodium: 45mg

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