BLUEBERRY JAM SANDWICHES

By BobD

Ingredients

• Jam:
• Yield: Makes about 24
• 2 cups fresh blueberries (12 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons powdered fruit pectin
• 1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• Cookies:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• Raw sugar* (for sprinkling)

Details

Servings 24
Adapted from epicurious.com

Preparation

Step 1

For jam:
Combine blueberries, fruit pectin, and butter in large nonstick skillet. Stir constantly over medium-high heat until mixture boils. Add sugar and return to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil until mixture is reduced to 1 1/3 cups, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer mixture to small glass bowl; cover and chill until jam is cold, at least 6 hours (jam will thicken slightly while chilling). DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep chilled.

For cookies:

Using electric mixer, beat butter, 1 cup sugar, lemon peel, and salt in large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Add yolks and beat until blended. Add flour in 2 additions, beating just until blended after each addition.

Gather dough together; divide in half. Place 1 dough half on sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper. Form dough into 1 1/2-inch-wide square or round log; smooth with dampened fingers.

Wrap log in waxed paper. Repeat with second dough half. Chill dough until firm, at least 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400F.

Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with silicone baking mats, smooth side up, or parchment paper. Cut dough logs into scant 1/4-inch-thick squares or rounds. Arrange on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Sprinkle half of dough squares or rounds generously with raw sugar (leave remaining plain).

Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until edges are light golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack and cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Just before serving, spread 1 generous teaspoon jam over bottom (flat side) of each plain (not sugared) cookie. Top each with sugared cookie, sugared side up, and serve.

* Also called turbinado or demerara sugar; available at most supermarkets and at natural foods stores.


Ingredient tip:
Powdered fruit pectin can be found in the baking aisle at many supermarkets.