These Button Cup Cookies with almond butter and strawberry jam are whimsical shortbread tartlets topped with edible button cookies. Perfect for spring tea parties, garden gatherings, baby showers, and storybook-inspired baking.
Button Cup Cookies with Almond Butter and Strawberry Jam
There are some recipes that feel less like baking and more like stepping into a storybook; and a Storybook and Television film is exactly where I went with these cookies!
These little Button Cup Cookies began on a strawberry-filled afternoon when the garden was heavy with fruit and the kitchen windows stood open to the breeze. Fresh thyme scented the air, strawberries simmered into ruby-red jam on the stove, and a batch of homemade almond butter waited patiently on the counter.
The shortbread cups emerged golden and delicate, each one cradling a spoonful of almond butter and a jewel-like layer of strawberry jam. But it was the tiny button tops that transformed them from simple cookies into something whimsical. Suddenly they looked as though they belonged in Beatrix Potter Museum I visited in England years ago.
They are tender, buttery, and just a little nostalgic, part cookie, part tart, and entirely charming. Whether served at a spring gathering, afternoon tea, baby shower, or simply alongside a glass of cold almond milk, these Button Cup Cookies bring a little playfulness to the table.
Why Youโll Love These Button Cup Cookies
These cookies combine three homemade elements that work beautifully together: rich shortbread, creamy almond butter, and bright strawberry jam.
The buttery cookie shell provides structure while remaining tender enough to melt in your mouth. The almond butter adds a nutty richness that balances the sweetness of the jam, and the strawberry filling brings a fresh, fruity contrast.
Theyโre also:
- Easy to customize with different jams and nut butters
- Perfect for spring and summer entertaining
- Ideal for tea parties and garden gatherings
- Make-ahead friendly
- Beautiful for Pinterest-worthy dessert tables
And because every story deserves a happy ending, these little treasures are best enjoyed with a chilled glass of homemade almond milk, creamy and delicate, the perfect sip to balance each buttery, jam-filled bite.
Ingredients for Button Cup Cookies
Butter โ Butter creates the rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines classic shortbread. Using softened butter ensures a smooth dough and tender crumb.
Mascarpone Cheese โ Mascarpone adds richness and softness while creating a delicate pastry-like texture that feels lighter than traditional shortbread.
Sugar โ Sugar sweetens the dough while helping create lightly golden edges during baking.
All-Purpose Flour โ Flour provides structure while keeping the cookies sturdy enough to hold the fillings.
Salt โ A small amount of salt balances sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor.
Egg Wash โ The egg wash gives the button tops their beautiful golden finish and helps highlight the decorative button imprint.
Homemade Thyme Strawberry Jam โ This vibrant jam brings bright berry flavor and a subtle herbal note that pairs beautifully with almond butter.
Homemade Almond Butter โ Creamy almond butter adds richness and depth while creating a balanced filling that isnโt overly sweet.
Tools Youโll Need
12 mini tartlet tins are easy to work with and reusable. These 1-Inch Tart Pans create perfectly shaped cookie cups that hold the fillings securely without becoming fragile.
2-Inch Biscuit Cutter โ Provides consistent circles for the shortbread shells, helping every cookie bake evenly.
1 Wooden Button โ The secret behind the whimsical design. Pressing a real button into the dough creates charming edible cookie tops.
Rolling pin, a marble rolling pin helps to keep the dough firm, rather than doughy, while working with it.
Food Processor โ Quickly blends butter, mascarpone, flour, and sugar into a smooth dough without overworking it.
Skewer or Toothpick โ Used to create authentic button holes and add storybook-worthy detail.
Parchment Paper โ Prevents sticking and promotes even browning.
Metal spatula, for easy and delicate removal of the button tops from the baking sheet
How to Make Button Cup Cookies with Almond Butter and Strawberry Jam
Step 1: Prepare the Shortbread Dough
Preheat the oven to 325ยฐF.
In a food processor, combine softened butter, mascarpone, sugar, flour, and salt. Process until the mixture comes together into a soft dough ball.
If the dough feels too soft to work with, roll it out and refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
Step 2: Create the Cookie Cups
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately ยผ-inch thickness.
Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut rounds and gently press them into the miniature tart pans.
Prick the bottoms with a fork to prevent air bubbles during baking.
Arrange the tart cups on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 3: Make the Button Tops
Using the remaining dough, cut 1-inch rounds.
Press a decorative button gently into each round to create the button pattern.
Using a skewer or toothpick, carefully punch holes through the dough to mimic the button design.
Brush each button top lightly with egg wash.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Bake the button tops for approximately 12 minutes.
Bake the tart cups for approximately 20 minutes.
The goal is a beautiful golden color, not pale and not deeply browned.
Remove from the oven and allow everything to cool completely.
Step 5: Fill and Assemble
Once cooled, spoon a small amount of almond butter into each tart cup.
Top with a spoonful of strawberry jam.
Gently place a button cookie on top.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Tips for Perfect Button Cup Cookies
- Chill soft dough before cutting for cleaner edges.
- Donโt overfill the cups or the fillings may spill out.
- Use thick homemade jam for the cleanest presentation.
- Bake until lightly golden for the best shortbread flavor.
- Assemble shortly before serving if preparing ahead.
FAQ About Button Cup Cookies
What are Button Cup Cookies?
Button Cup Cookies are miniature shortbread tart shells filled with almond butter and jam, then topped with decorative button-shaped cookies.
Can I make Button Cup Cookies ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the cups and button tops up to three days ahead and store in airtight containers. Assemble before serving.
What jam works best in these cookies?
Strawberry jam is classic, but raspberry, blackberry, apricot, and cherry preserves all work beautifully.
Can I use store-bought almond butter?
Absolutely. Homemade almond butter offers wonderful flavor, but a quality store-bought version works well.
How do I keep the cookie cups from becoming soggy?
Allow the shells to cool completely before filling and use a thick jam rather than a runny preserve.
Can I freeze Button Cup Cookies?
You can freeze the baked shells and button tops for up to two months. Fill after thawing.
Homemade Almond Butter and Strawberry Jam
Inside the button cup, can be anything you want to put inside. However, with strawberries in such abundance in the springtime, I often make lots of jam that doesnโt require pectin and freeze small packets to use throughout the year for various other strawberry jam recipes.
- Strawberry Jam Babka โ A luscious soft brioche dough filled with homemade strawberry jam, beautifully twisted and perfect for spring baking.
- Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail โ With or without rum this Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail with lime, is the most refreshing icy drink you will sip, all summer long.
- Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles โ Easy to make summertime popsicles with strawberry jam and homemade lemonade.
- Vegan Frozen Strawberry Pie โ For those of us in want of healthy fruits and nuts, a hint of sweetness, frozen into a creamy vegan dessert.
And then there is always almond butter in my pantry for a variety of recipes I will use a dollop of the almond butter, or the almond milk I make with the crushed almonds.
- Vegan Almond Dairy-Free Cheese โ This recipe makes one of many nut cheeses that are too delicious to be served only for a plant-based diet.
- Almond Milk Cranberry Orange Sorbet โ with warm spices and homemade almond milk.
- Almond Pizza Crust โ A unique crust using both almond meal and barley or spelt flour for a nutty flavor and crisp texture, offers a swap from wheat dough.
- Almond Basil Pesto โ A delicious dip or spread with Pecorino and lemon, is a bright, bold twist on classic pesto, with nut-free or dairy-free options.
My Button Cups with Almond Butter and Strawberry Jam For PBS โ Television Cooking
I had the incredible opportunity to make these Whimsical Button Cups with Homemade Strawberry Jam, Homemade Almond Butter and Homemade Almond Milk for The Great American Recipe on PBS!
While I had the privilege to prepare these whimsical button cups on national television in the summer of 2022, on PBS, these cookies were once only known to my kids many years ago.
The judges on the program where as awestruck by their whimsy and fabulous taste as my children always were.ย
One of the judges said, though it will certainly be edited out before it airs, โThese look like they came from the French Laundryโ!
Which of course, they arenโt permitted to mention other companies, but you get the idea!
Button Cup Cookies with Almond Butter and Strawberry Jam (Whimsical Shortbread Tea Cakes)
Equipment
- 12 1-inch round tart cups
- 1 1-inch round button
- 1 2-inch round biscuit cutter
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325
- In a food processor place the room temp butter, mascarpone, sugar, flour and salt and whirl until the dough comes together in a ball.
- Remove the dough and roll it out on a floured surface. If the dough is too soft to press, roll it out to quarter inch and place in the fridge for 15-minutes.
- Two shapes will need to be pressed. With a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, make rounds out of the dough and press them into the little tart pan as though a pie crust. Prick the bottoms to allow air to escape while baking. Do the same with the remaining tart cups. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- With the 1-inch round biscuit cutter, make rounds, then press the button into the round to imprint its design. Using the skewer, punch out holes exactly as they are in the button. Gently lift up the button and repeat for the remaining button tops. Brush with egg wash and place on a cookie sheet.
- Bake the buttons for 12-minutes, or until golden, and the cups for 20-minutes, but keep an eye on both. A golden color is what we want, not still pale and not brown. Cool completely.
- Once cool, put a small dollop of almond butter and then strawberry jam into the cups and top with the button. Serve with cold Almond milk!
Notes
If you make these whimsical Button Cup Cookies, Iโd love to see them on your table. Tag your photos and share your favorite filling combinations. Whether youโre hosting a garden tea, celebrating strawberry season, or simply baking for the joy of it, these little storybook treats are proof that food can be both delicious and playful.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.