Colorful Shortbread Cookies With Jelly Tots Recipe – Fun Twist

Sweet, buttery shortbread cookies dancing with colorful jelly tots create a delightful treat that sparks childhood memories.

These simple yet irresistible cookies blend classic Scottish baking techniques with playful candy charm.

Each golden-brown morsel offers a crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.

The jelly tots add bursts of vibrant color and fruity sweetness to the traditional shortbread base.

Baking these cookies requires minimal ingredients and delivers maximum flavor.

From afternoon tea to children’s parties, these cookies promise to delight everyone who takes a bite.

You’ll fall in love with this easy, whimsical dessert that transforms ordinary moments into something special.

FAQs

• Can I use butter instead of margarine?

Yes, butter works perfectly and can add a richer flavor to the shortbread cookies.

• What if I don't have a piping bag?

You can use a spoon to drop small rounds of dough onto the baking sheet or roll the dough and cut into shapes with cookie cutters.

• How do I prevent Jelly Tots from melting too much?

Refrigerate the cookies briefly before baking and place the Jelly Tots on top just before putting them in the oven to minimize melting.

• Are Jelly Tots necessary for this recipe?

No, you can substitute with other small candies or leave them plain for classic shortbread cookies if you prefer.

Shortbread Cookies with Jelly Tots — A Sweet Treat

• Craft Sweet Valentine's Memories: Create heartwarming treats that capture the essence of love and celebration with these delightful strawberry sugar cookies.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking Adventure: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe offers simple steps and minimal technical skills required to produce impressive, delicious cookies.
• Customize with Love: Easily personalize the cookies with food coloring, additional decorations, or creative shaping to match your Valentine's Day theme and personal style.
• No-Fuss Crowd-Pleaser: A versatile recipe that appeals to all ages, making it ideal for family gatherings, school parties, or romantic celebrations with your special someone.

Ingredients for Shortbread Cookies with Jelly Tots

• Margarine: A soft, spreadable fat that provides richness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Icing Sugar: A fine powdered sugar that adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, light cookie consistency.
• Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the shortbread its classic crumbly texture.

• Vanilla Essence: A classic flavoring that adds depth and warmth to the shortbread cookies.

• Jelly Tots: Colorful, chewy candies that provide a sweet and playful decoration to the top of each cookie.

How to Bake Shortbread Cookies with Jelly Tots

Step 1: Whip Margarine and Sugar

Grab a mixing bowl and beat margarine and icing sugar together until the mixture becomes super light, airy, and looks like fluffy clouds. Use an electric mixer for the best results and mix until the color becomes pale and creamy.

Step 2: Splash in Vanilla Flavor

Pour in vanilla essence and blend thoroughly. Make sure the vanilla distributes evenly throughout the mixture, creating a rich and aromatic base for your cookies.

Step 3: Form Cookie Dough

Slowly incorporate flour into the creamy mixture. Gently fold and mix until a soft, smooth dough develops.

The texture should be slightly crumbly but able to hold together when pressed.

Step 4: Shape Delicate Cookies

Fill a piping bag with the prepared dough.

Squeeze out small, uniform rounds onto a lined baking sheet. Space the cookie dough circles evenly to allow room for spreading during baking.

Step 5: Decorate with Colorful Tots

Carefully place a single Jelly Tot in the center of each cookie dough round. Press down gently to ensure the candy adheres to the surface.

Step 6: Chill Cookie Rounds

Pop the baking sheet into the refrigerator. Let the cookie dough rounds rest and firm up for approximately 10 minutes.

This helps maintain their shape during baking.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Slide the chilled cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Watch for edges turning a delicate golden brown, signaling they’re ready to be pulled out.

Tips for Perfect Shortbread Cookies

• Let margarine sit at room temperature for easier creaming and smoother cookie texture.
• Use pure vanilla essence for a richer, more authentic flavor in your shortbread cookies.
• Refrigerating helps cookies maintain shape and prevents spreading during baking.
• Use a star-tipped piping bag for elegant, uniform cookie shapes and professional appearance.
• Pick bright, fresh Jelly Tots to add vibrant visual appeal and sweet bursts of flavor to each cookie.

Variations on Jelly Tots Shortbread Cookies

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap margarine with coconut oil or vegan butter, and use plant-based Jelly Tots or similar fruit-based candies.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute icing sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and use sugar-free jellied candies on top.
• Chocolate Lovers' Variation: Mix cocoa powder into the dough and use chocolate-coated Jelly Tots or chocolate chips as a topping.

Pairing Ideas for Shortbread Cookies

• Pair Sweet Shortbread with Complementary Beverages: Brew a light Earl Grey tea to balance the cookie's sweetness and highlight the vanilla undertones.
• Create Flavor Harmony with Dessert Wines: Select a chilled Moscato d'Asti or sweet Riesling that echoes the fruity notes of the Jelly Tots and enhances the buttery shortbread.
• Match Colorful Cookies with Playful Drinks: Serve cold milk or a creamy hot chocolate to complement the vibrant, child-friendly Jelly Tot cookies and provide a smooth contrast to their sugary crunch.
• Elevate Tasting Experience with Fruit Accompaniments: Offer a small side of fresh berries or a citrus sorbet to cleanse the palate between bites and add a refreshing element to the sweet shortbread.

How to Store Shortbread Cookies with Jelly Tots

• Place cooled shortbread cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Store completely cooled cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring they remain crisp and delicious.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in a preheated oven at 150C for 3-5 minutes to restore their original crispness and bring back the fresh-baked taste.

Shortbread Cookies With Jelly Tots Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Scottish shortbread cookies adorned with colorful Jelly Tots create a playful twist on classic baking. Sweet, buttery layers mingle with fruity candy gems, offering a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (312.5 grams) flour
• 250 grams (8.8 ounces) margarine
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) icing sugar

Flavoring:

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

Topping:

• Jelly Tots (as needed)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Using an electric mixer, whip margarine and powdered sugar until creamy and airy, creating a smooth pale mixture.
2. Incorporate vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to distribute the flavor evenly.
3. Gradually fold flour into the mixture, gently kneading until a cohesive, soft dough forms without overmixing.
4. Load the dough into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, and carefully pipe delicate circular shapes onto a prepared baking sheet, maintaining uniform size.
5. Gently press a single Jelly Tot onto the center of each piped cookie, ensuring it adheres slightly.
6. Chill the cookie tray in the refrigerator for approximately 10 minutes to help maintain the cookies’ shape during baking.
7. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges as a sign of perfect doneness.

Notes

• Softening margarine beforehand ensures smooth, even mixing for a light, airy texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help dough come together more easily and prevent crumbly results.
• Select colorful Jelly Tots to create visually appealing cookies that catch everyone’s eye.
• For gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend to maintain delicate shortbread consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 188 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg