Jeweled Tartlets

Cookies come in many shapes, forms and sizes. Some have fillings, some don’t. Some have toppings, some don’t. Some have chocolate, some have nuts, some have fruit, and some have none. The possibilities are endless. Cookies have been my absolute favorite snack my whole life. I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever come across a cookie I don’t like. Of course there are some I like better than others, but over all, if it’s a cookie, I can pretty much guarantee I am going to enjoy it. My big problem is there are way too many cookies and not nearly enough time to enjoy them all. 🙂

Because I love cookies so much, I try not to have many around the house at any given time, though I make them all the time to give away. I do my best to make them when I have another home for them rather than mine, otherwise I would easily eat them all.

My latest batch of cookies were little tiny jeweled tartlets. Aside from them being pretty to look at, and tasty to eat, they are also only about 20 calories each, making them even better. SWEET!!!!!!

These precious little gems are refrigerator cookies made with whatever kind of jam or preserves you like. They are not overly sweet, but are just sweet enough, to satisfy, especially when dusted with powdered sugar.

Jeweled Tartlets

These little jeweled gems are easy to make but are time consuming. So make them when you have plenty of time to dedicate to the process. They only require a few basic ingredients that we all have on hand in our pantries too.

1 large egg yolk or 2 medium egg yolks

1/2 tsp orange extract or vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp orange or lemon zest

3/4 cup cold butter, cubed

1/2 cup of your favorite fruit jam or preserves

Combine the flour, salt, butter and zest in the food processor and pulse until it all resembles coarse sand. I chose to use orange zest and therefor used orange extract too. I love orange flavoring.

Beat the eggs slightly, add and the orange extract or vanilla, then add to the flour mixture and blend until large moist clumps start to form.

Empty the mixture onto a work surface and start molding together with your hands until it all sticks together and forms a dough. Then shape it into a square or a rectangle, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

When the dough has set, slice it into strips about 1/2 inch wide., then cut into small pieces and roll in the palm of your hand until the pieces form into small balls.

Place the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. With the end of a wooden spoon, punch a small hole into the center of each ball and press it lightly with your fingers to enlarge the hole. Place back in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set.

Preheat the oven to 350*F or about 190* C.

Carefully fill each whole with a dollop of your favorite jam or fruit preserves. I used both raspberry preserves and orange marmalade.

Once all the cookies are filled, place the baking sheets into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just begin to turn a very light golden color and the cookies are set. Allow them to cool completely on a wire cookie rack. Once they are completely cooled, if you like, you can give them a light dusting of powdered sugar to add the finishing touches.

Because these are tiny and each cookie is only about 20 calories, you can pop these in your mouth and eat a bunch with little or no guilt at all. I know I can. 🙂

Have a great day Everyone. Stay well and stay safe. ‘Til next time.