As I sifted through my collection of holiday memories, one image stood out: the warm, golden glow of freshly baked biscuits filling the kitchen with aromas that whispered of Christmas cheer. These Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits are not just delectable; they’re easy to whip up and perfect for family gatherings or last-minute gifts. With a buttery texture enveloping a sweet jam center, each bite captures the spirit of the season—inviting both nostalgia and joy. Plus, they can be made ahead and stored, ensuring you have a delightful treat ready whenever holiday cravings hit. What’s your favorite jam flavor to spread the magic?
Why You’ll Love These Biscuits
Delightful Simplicity: The steps are easy to follow, making them perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned chefs looking for a quick festive treat.
Irresistible Aroma: Baking these biscuits fills your home with a heavenly scent, creating an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
Customization Galore: With options like strawberry, apricot, or blackberry jam, you can tailor these cookies to suit your family’s tastes or even create a themed platter, just like with my Halloween Oreo Roll.
Perfect for Gifting: Wrapped in festive packaging, these biscuits make thoughtful homemade gifts that your friends and family will adore.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and freeze it for up to three months. This flexibility allows you to bake fresh cookies whenever the holiday spirit strikes!
Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits Ingredients
For the Dough
• Unsalted Butter – Provides richness and tenderness; if unavailable, use salted butter but reduce added salt.
• Confectioners’ Sugar – Adds crucial sweetness and a smooth texture; avoid using granulated sugar for the best results.
• Vanilla Bean Paste – Enhances flavor with rich vanilla notes; regular vanilla extract is a good alternative.
• All-Purpose Flour – Forms the structure of the biscuit; for a gluten-free option, substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Rice Flour/Corn Starch – Adds crispiness; if not available, extra all-purpose flour can be used as a substitution.
For the Jam Filling
• IXL Strawberry Jam – A sweet filling that gives each biscuit a delightful center; feel free to use any smooth jam such as apricot, raspberry, or cherry.
• IXL Apricot Jam – Another delicious option for filling; you may also use just one type of jam if desired.
For Dusting
• Extra Confectioners’ Sugar – For that perfect finishing touch, dust on post-baking for an appealing appearance.
These Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits are a joy to make and fill your kitchen with warmth and holiday spirit!
Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits
Step 1: Dough Preparation
In a mixing bowl, cream together 200g of softened unsalted butter, 100g of confectioners’ sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste. Beat this mixture on medium speed for about 3–5 minutes, or until it turns light and fluffy. The texture should look smooth and creamy, inviting and reflecting the warm holiday spirit of your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits.
Step 2: Mixing Dry Ingredients
Sift together 250g of all-purpose flour and 30g of rice flour or corn starch directly into the creamed mixture. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture using a spatula until a soft dough forms, taking care not to over-mix. The dough should be slightly sticky but cohesive, ready for the next step in creating these delightful biscuits.
Step 3: Chilling Dough
Divide the soft dough into two equal discs, ensuring they are smooth. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 25 minutes, or until the dough is firm. Chilling is essential for manageable consistency and helps prevent the biscuits from spreading while baking, enhancing the crispiness of your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits.
Step 4: Baking Preparation
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) and line two baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This preparation ensures your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits don’t stick to the trays, allowing them to bake evenly and maintain their beautiful shape—so essential for holiday presentation.
Step 5: Shaping Biscuits
Roll out each disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 4mm thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out 12 circles from one disc, and from the second disc, cut out shapes utilizing small star cutters. As you work, admire the beautiful dough shapes coming to life, perfect for holiday cheer with your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits.
Step 6: Baking
Carefully transfer the cookie shapes to the prepared baking trays and pop them into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the biscuits are firm but not overly browned—look for a pale golden color that indicates they are ready. After baking, allow them to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes, ensuring they hold their delightful shape.
Step 7: Assemble Biscuits
Once completely cooled, take the whole biscuits and spoon approximately 2 teaspoons of your chosen jam onto each one. Place the star-shaped biscuits on top to create delightful sandwiches. Be mindful not to overfill, leaving a small edge to prevent spills, spotlighting the flavorful jam center that makes these Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits so special.
Make Ahead Options
These Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits are a fantastic choice for meal prep during the bustling holiday season! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours, or freeze it for up to three months. To store, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container; this helps maintain its freshness and prevents freezer burn. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator, roll it out, and proceed with baking as per the recipe. This way, you’ll have warm, freshly baked biscuits ready with minimal effort, perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting!
How to Store and Freeze Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits
Room Temperature: Keep the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This ensures they stay fresh and maintain their delightful texture.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze unbaked dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to three months. When ready to bake, simply thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
Reheating: If you prefer warm biscuits, reheat baked biscuits in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for about 5–10 minutes. This will restore their freshness without compromising their delightful jam centers.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough ahead of time during the busy holiday season! Storing your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits in advance allows for an easy and delightful treat at a moment’s notice.
Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits Variations
Feel free to add your personal touch to these delicious biscuits with a variety of creative swaps and twists!
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Strawberry Jam: Classic and beloved, simply sub in sweet strawberry jam for the filling to evoke memories of summer.
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Apricot Joy: For a delightful twist, use apricot jam, which offers a luscious sweet-tart flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery biscuit.
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Raspberry Rush: Swap for raspberry jam to add a tangy surprise that complements the sweetness—perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors.
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Blackberry Bliss: Use blackberry jam for a rich, deep flavor and a stunning visual contrast to the light biscuit, making your tray even more festive.
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Cherry Delight: Try cherry jam for a fruity twist that adds a vibrant hue; plus, it’s like taking a bite of holiday cheer!
For those seeking a touch of adventure, mix jams for layered flavors. Pairing apricot with raspberry brings a unique depth that’ll leave everyone guessing at your secret!
These whimsical Diversions can elevate your platter, creating a festive showcase reminiscent of holiday joy, just like my Halloween Fudge Festive treats. Whether hosting a gathering or gifting someone special, customizing jam flavors adds a personal touch that resonates with joyous memories!
Expert Tips for Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits
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Chill the Dough: Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before rolling it out. This prevents excessive spreading and ensures your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits maintain their shape.
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Perfect Jam Ratio: Avoid overflowing with jam; fill each biscuit with no more than half a teaspoon to prevent spillage during baking.
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Gentle Rolling: Roll out the dough to an even thickness. Uneven dough can result in biscuits that bake inconsistently, affecting the overall texture and appearance.
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Wait Before Dusting: Let your biscuits cool completely before dusting with confectioners’ sugar. This prevents the sugar from melting and preserves the lovely snowy finish.
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Experiment with Flavors: Don’t hesitate to try different jam flavors! Mixing options like raspberry and apricot can create delightful, unique combinations for your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits.
What to Serve with Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits
The holidays are all about sharing warmth and joy, and what better way to enhance your festive experience than with delightful pairings for these sweet treats?
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Creamy Hot Chocolate: A rich, velvety drink that provides a cozy contrast to the buttery biscuits, making every bite feel like a warm hug.
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Earl Grey Tea: The subtle floral notes and citrusy undertones of this tea complement the sweetness of the jam, adding a sophisticated touch to your festive gathering.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: Combining warm biscuits with creamy ice cream creates a wonderful textural contrast, making each dessert bite a delightful experience of flavors.
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Fruit Salad: Fresh, juicy fruits add a refreshing brightness that balances the richness of the biscuits, perfect for a wonderful holiday brunch spread.
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Sparkling Cider: The effervescence of this drink brings a celebratory feel to your meal, enhancing the festive atmosphere created by the biscuits.
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Peppermint Mocha: This deliciously rich coffee treat blankets your palate in cozy flavors, pairing beautifully with the sweet jam centers and buttery cookie layers.
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Gingerbread Cookies: Embrace the festive spirit with these spiced cookies to create a delightful dessert table that will ignite nostalgia and holiday cheer.
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Chocolate Dipped Strawberries: Sweet, succulent strawberries dipped in rich chocolate add an indulgent layer of flavor, creating a visually stunning complement to the festive biscuits.
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Eggnog: Creamy, spiced, and festive, this classic drink pairs wonderfully with the chewiness of the biscuits, celebrating the flavors of the season.
Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits Recipe FAQs
What type of jam should I use for the filling?
Absolutely! You can choose from various types of smooth jam for your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits. Popular options include strawberry, apricot, raspberry, blackberry, or cherry jam. Each will give a delightful twist to the overall flavor, so feel free to mix and match based on your taste preference!
How should I store the biscuits after baking?
After baking, store your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This ensures they maintain their freshness and lovely texture. If you’d like, you can also layer parchment paper between the biscuits to prevent sticking.
Can I freeze the jam biscuits, and if so, how?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked dough for future use! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking as per the recipe instructions.
What if my dough is too sticky to roll out?
Very! If your dough feels too sticky after chilling, sprinkle a little extra all-purpose flour on your work surface and lightly on the dough. If you still find it hard to handle, chill it again for about 10-15 minutes more. This will help it firm up, making it much easier to roll out without losing that perfect shape for your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits.
Is there a gluten-free option for the biscuits?
Absolutely! To make your Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend. This substitution will maintain the delightful texture and taste that these biscuits are known for, allowing everyone to enjoy them during the holidays.
Are there any dietary considerations for pets when baking with jam?
Yes! While our delicious Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits are a delightful treat for humans, it’s important to note that ingredients like sugar and certain jams can be harmful to pets. Always keep baked goods out of reach of pets and ensure they don’t have access to chocolate or sugary foods that are unsafe for them.
Festive Jam Christmas Biscuits That Melt in Your Mouth
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla bean paste until light and fluffy.
- Sift together all-purpose flour and rice flour or corn starch into the creamed mixture. Fold until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 25 minutes until firm.
- Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F) and line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Roll out each disc of dough to 4mm thickness and cut out circles and star shapes.
- Transfer shapes to baking trays and bake for 15 minutes or until firm and pale golden.
- Once cooled, spoon jam onto whole biscuits and sandwich with star-shaped biscuits.
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