1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will help your cookies bake evenly and prevent sticking.

2. Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. You should have a soft, slightly sticky dough.

3. Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two portions and wrap them in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to roll out and cut.

4. Roll Out the Dough

Once chilled, take one portion of dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter (or any shape you prefer), cut out cookies. Be sure to cut out an equal number of cookies with a whole center and with a cut-out center.

5. Create the Heart Print

Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Using a smaller heart-shaped cutter or any small round cutter, gently press into the center of each cookie (the one with the whole center). This will form the “heart print” for your jam filling.

6. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary based on your oven.

7. Fill with Jam

Once the cookies have cooled completely on a wire rack, fill the heart-shaped cutouts with your chosen fruit jam. Use a small spoon or piping bag to add a dollop of jam to each cookie.