STRAWBERRY JAM COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• To prepare decorating sugar: Place sugar in a small bowl. Add a few drops of dye and stir until evenly blended. Adjust color with more dye as desired.
• Spread the colored sugar in a thin layer on a small parchment-lined baking sheet. Turn on the oven to 350 degrees F for 2 minutes, then immediately turn it off. (The warm oven dries the sugar, but too much heat will burn it.) Let the sugar stand in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. (The sugar may be refrigerated airtight for up to 1 year.)
• To prepare & decorate cookies: Position a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
• Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat oil, butter, sugar, egg and lemon zest in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Beat in honey, vanilla and almond (or lemon) extract until evenly incorporated.
• With the mixer on low speed, then medium speed, beat about half the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until incorporated. Beat in the remaining flour mixture until just incorporated.
• Divide the dough into quarters. Roll each quarter into a 9-inch "log." Slice the log into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
• Place the green sugar on a small plate. Roll each ball in the sugar. Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on a prepared baking sheet. Press a well into the center of each cookie with a thumb. Fill with about 1/2 teaspoon jam.
• Bake the cookies on the center rack, one pan at a time, until firm when pressed near the edge, 8 to 12 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool to room temperature.

Steps:

• Beat shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl using an electric mixer until creamy and smooth.
• Mix milk and vinegar together and let stand 5 minutes to make 'sour milk'. Stir sour milk, eggs, and vanilla extract into shortening mixture.
• Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Mix flour mixture into shortening mixture until incorporated. Refrigerate until fully chilled, 2 hours to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roll dough to a 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface; cut into 2-inch rounds using a cookie cutter. Spoon 1 teaspoon preserves into the center of half the cookies; cover with remaining cookies. Lightly press edges of cookies together using a fork. Cut criss-cross slits into the top of each cookie using a knife. Arrange cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are golden, 13 to 15 minutes.