Oh, these Pineapple Jam Tarts are just the cutest little things! Seriously, they’re my go-to when I want something sweet and buttery that just screams “festive occasion.” I remember my aunt making these for Lunar New Year when I was a kid, and the smell of them baking? Pure magic! They’re just so perfectly crumbly and that burst of pineapple jam in the middle is just *chef’s kiss*. Trust me, these aren’t just cookies; they’re little bites of happiness.
Why You’ll Love These Pineapple Jam Tarts
- Super Easy to Make: Seriously, the dough comes together in a snap, and shaping them is a breeze – perfect for baking with kids!
- Irresistibly Buttery & Crumbly: The texture is just divine, melt-in-your-mouth goodness with every bite.
- Perfectly Sweet & Fruity: That sweet pineapple jam center is the star, balancing the buttery pastry beautifully.
- Festive & Impressive: They look so pretty on a platter and are guaranteed to impress guests at any celebration or holiday gathering.
Gather Your Ingredients for Pineapple Jam Tarts
Alright, let’s get everything ready to make these delightful little Pineapple Jam Tarts! Having all your ingredients prepped and measured makes the whole process so much smoother. Think of it like setting up your own little baking station!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pineapple Jam Tarts
- 250g unsalted butter, make sure it’s softened to room temperature. This is super important for getting that lovely creamy texture when you start.
- 70g icing sugar, sifted. Sifting helps get rid of any lumps so your dough is nice and smooth.
- 1 large egg yolk. We’re just using the yolk here for richness!
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. For that little extra warmth and flavour.
- 300g all-purpose flour, sifted. Again, sifting is key for a tender tart.
- 100g cornstarch, sifted. This is the secret to that wonderfully crumbly texture!
- 200g pineapple jam. You want a nice, thick jam that won’t ooze out too much during baking. A good quality one makes all the difference!
How to Prepare Pineapple Jam Tarts Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get down to business and make these adorable Pineapple Jam Tarts! It’s really not as complicated as it looks, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping these out for every occasion. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have perfect little tarts every single time.
Creaming the Base for Your Pineapple Jam Tarts
First things first, grab your softened butter and icing sugar. You want to cream these together until they’re super light and fluffy. This is honestly one of the most important steps for getting that delicate texture in your Pineapple Jam Tarts. I usually use my electric mixer for this, starting on low speed and gradually increasing it. You’re looking for a pale, creamy mixture that looks almost like whipped cream. Once that’s looking good, gently beat in your egg yolk and that lovely vanilla extract. Just mix it until it’s all combined; don’t go crazy beating it.
Creating the Perfect Tart Dough
Now for the dry ingredients! Sift your flour and cornstarch together into a separate bowl. This helps to aerate them and get rid of any lumps, which is crucial for a tender dough. Then, gradually add these dry ingredients to your creamed butter mixture. Mix it on a low speed, or even better, use a spatula or your hands, until it *just* comes together. Seriously, stop mixing as soon as you don’t see any more dry flour. Overmixing the dough at this stage will make your Pineapple Jam Tarts tough, and nobody wants that!
Chilling and Shaping the Dough
This dough is going to be pretty soft, which is exactly what we want! It’s a bit like playdough. Just wrap the whole lot up in some plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes. This chilling time really helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to roll and cut without it sticking everywhere. Once it’s chilled, you can lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough to about half a centimeter thick. Then, use your favorite cutters to make your shapes – little rounds or flowers are always super cute for Pineapple Jam Tarts!
Assembling and Baking Your Pineapple Jam Tarts
Get your baking sheets ready with parchment paper, and carefully place your cut-out dough shapes onto them. Now, take the back of a small spoon or even your thumb and make a little indentation right in the center of each tart. This is where your delicious pineapple jam is going to live! Spoon just a small amount of jam into each little well. Be careful not to overfill, or it might bubble over during baking. Pop them into your preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for them to be just lightly golden around the edges.
Cooling and Finishing the Pineapple Jam Tarts
As soon as they come out of the oven, leave the Pineapple Jam Tarts on the baking sheets for a few minutes. They’ll be quite delicate right away. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is important so they don’t break apart and so the jam fully sets up. Once they’re totally cool, you can enjoy them just as they are, or maybe dust them with a little extra icing sugar if you’re feeling fancy!
Tips for Baking Perfect Pineapple Jam Tarts
Making these Pineapple Jam Tarts is usually pretty straightforward, but sometimes little things can go wrong. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with a few tricks to make sure yours turn out just perfect every time!
Achieving the Ideal Dough Consistency
If your dough feels too sticky to handle when you’re ready to roll it out, just pop it back in the fridge for another 10-15 minutes. A little extra chill time can make a big difference! On the flip side, if it feels too dry and crumbly, you can try working in a tiny splash of milk or even a little more softened butter, just a teaspoon at a time, until it comes together nicely. The goal is a dough that’s soft but holds its shape.
Preventing Jam Spillage in Pineapple Jam Tarts
The biggest culprit for jam spillage is usually overfilling the little wells we make in the dough. Trust me, a little jam goes a long way! You only need about half a teaspoon per tart. Also, make sure your jam isn’t too runny. If it seems a bit thin, you can stir in a tiny bit more sifted icing sugar to thicken it up before you start filling the tarts. This helps it stay put while baking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pineapple Jam Tarts
Got questions about making these yummy Pineapple Jam Tarts? I totally get it! Baking can sometimes feel like a science experiment, but that’s part of the fun. Here are a few things people often ask me when they’re whipping up a batch of these festive cookies.
Can I use store-bought pineapple jam for these tarts?
Absolutely! You don’t have to make your own jam for these. Just grab a good quality, thick pineapple jam from the store. Look for one that’s meant for baking or fillings, as it’s less likely to be super runny and spill out. A good store-bought jam works wonderfully in this pineapple tart recipe!
How should I store leftover Pineapple Jam Tarts?
Once your fruit jam cookies have cooled completely – and I mean *completely* – you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay nice and fresh for about 3-4 days. Just make sure they’re sealed up well so they don’t go stale!
Can I make the dough for these Pineapple Jam Tarts ahead of time?
Yes, you totally can! The dough actually benefits from a little extra chill time. Once you’ve made the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit out for about 10-15 minutes to soften up a bit before rolling and shaping. It makes the whole process even easier!
Variations for Your Pineapple Jam Tarts
While the classic pineapple jam filling is amazing, don’t be afraid to get a little creative with these Pineapple Jam Tarts! You could try a different fruit jam, like apricot or strawberry, for a lovely twist. Or, for a little extra something special, try adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon or a grating of lemon zest right into the dough. You could even sprinkle a little colored sugar on top before baking for some extra sparkle!
Serving Suggestions for Pineapple Jam Tarts
These little Pineapple Jam Tarts are perfect on their own, but they’re even better with a warm cup of tea or coffee. They also look gorgeous arranged on a festive platter with other holiday cookies or a slice of fruitcake. For a real treat, serve them with a dollop of fresh whipped cream!
Nutritional Estimate for Pineapple Jam Tarts
Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info for these yummy Pineapple Jam Tarts is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the specific brands of butter, jam, or flour you use, and of course, how big you make them! It’s always good to keep that in mind.
Print
Delightful Pineapple Jam Tarts: 12 Tastes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 tarts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet and buttery pineapple jam tarts, a classic festive treat.
Ingredients
- 250g unsalted butter, softened
- 70g icing sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 300g all-purpose flour
- 100g cornstarch
- 200g pineapple jam
Instructions
- Cream butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg yolk and vanilla extract.
- Sift in flour and cornstarch, mix until just combined.
- Dough will be soft; wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough to 0.5cm thickness. Cut into desired shapes.
- Place shapes on baking sheets. Make a small indentation in the center of each.
- Spoon a small amount of pineapple jam into the indentation.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier creaming.
- Do not overmix the dough once flour is added.
- Jam can spill if too much is used.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Pineapple Jam Tarts, pineapple tarts, festive cookies, shortbread, fruit jam cookies