Prepare to fall in love with these delightful Raspberry Crumble Cookies! Imagine the perfect harmony of buttery, tender shortbread filled with sweet, tangy raspberry jam, all crowned with a golden, crumbly topping. Baked conveniently in a muffin tin, these treats aren’t just cookies; they’re miniature pies that bring a touch of elegance to any occasion. What makes them truly remarkable is the ingenious use of a single dough for both the rich shortbread base and the irresistible crumble. Best of all, this easy, no-chill recipe comes together in a mere 30 minutes, making homemade deliciousness accessible to everyone!

Why You’ll Adore These Raspberry Crumble Cookies

• Perfect for Gifting: Baked in muffin liners, these cookies are not only portion-controlled but also incredibly easy to transport, making them the ideal candidate for holiday cookie tins, potlucks, or thoughtful edible gifts. Their neat presentation means less mess and more enjoyment for everyone!

• A Better-Than-Costco Experience: If you’re familiar with Costco’s famous raspberry crumble cookies, you’ll find this homemade version captures that same beloved flavor profile and texture – some might even say it surpasses the original! It’s a true copycat recipe with an extra touch of homemade love.

• Clever Double-Duty Dough: This recipe streamlines the baking process by utilizing a single shortbread dough in two brilliant ways. Part of it forms the perfectly buttery base of each cookie, while the remainder is crumbled over the top, creating that signature crisp, golden topping. This not only saves time but also ensures a cohesive flavor throughout.

• Effortless & Accessible Baking: Forget complicated techniques or special equipment. These cookies are deceptively easy to make, requiring just one bowl for mixing. There’s no need for chilling the dough, which means you can go from craving to biting into a warm, fresh cookie in about 30 minutes!

• Sweet & Tart Perfection: The vibrant store-bought raspberry jam offers a delightful burst of tangy sweetness that beautifully complements the rich, buttery flavor of the shortbread dough. This contrast creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying taste experience with every bite.

Essential Ingredients for Your Crumbly Raspberry Cookies

To create these wonderfully crumbly raspberry cookies, you’ll need a handful of common pantry staples and one star ingredient for the filling. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture:

Ingredient Notes for Optimal Results:

• Unsalted Butter: As the star of any good shortbread, high-quality unsalted butter is paramount. Its flavor truly shines through. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature but still slightly cool and firm – not melted or overly soft. This texture is crucial for achieving that light, fluffy creamed mixture.

• Granulated and Powdered Sugars: The shortbread dough benefits from a combination of both granulated and powdered sugars. Granulated sugar provides a subtle crispness, while powdered sugar contributes to the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines excellent shortbread.

• Almond and Vanilla Extracts: These extracts are a flavor powerhouse, adding layers of richness and a warm, inviting aroma to the dough. Almond extract, in particular, beautifully complements the tartness of the raspberry jam, creating a more complex and satisfying taste. While optional, they are highly recommended for the best flavor.

• Salt: Never underestimate the power of salt in baking! A small amount of salt helps to balance the sweetness of the sugars and jam, while simultaneously enhancing all the other flavors present in the cookie dough. It brings everything into perfect harmony.

• Raspberry Jam: This is the heart of our simple yet delicious filling. Store-bought raspberry jams work perfectly here for convenience, but if you’re lucky enough to have homemade jam on hand, that will elevate the flavor even further. My personal favorite for these cookies is Bonne Maman’s raspberry preserves, known for its rich fruit flavor. If you prefer a smoother texture, feel free to opt for a seedless jam.

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough. For the most accurate measurement and best results in baking, especially with shortbread, I highly recommend weighing your flour using a kitchen scale rather than relying solely on measuring cups.

For a complete list of precise ingredients and measurements, please refer to the recipe card located further down below.

Creative Substitutions & Delicious Variations

This raspberry crumble cookie recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for several delightful adjustments to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative in the kitchen!

• Pure Buttery Goodness: For a truly classic and pure buttery shortbread flavor, you can simply omit the vanilla and almond extracts. The butter and sugars will still create an incredibly rich and satisfying cookie.

• Muffin Tin Flexibility: While a standard muffin tin is recommended, you can easily adapt this recipe to any size muffin tins you own. If using mini muffin tins, reduce the baking time to about 8-12 minutes. For jumbo muffin tins, the baking time might extend slightly to 20-25 minutes. Always keep a close eye on the cookies as they bake, as cooking times will vary with different sizes.

• Alternate Fruit Fillings: Raspberry jam is fantastic, but don’t limit yourself! Feel free to substitute any other flavor of fruit preserves you love – strawberry, apricot, cherry, or even blueberry jam would be delicious. For a richer, less fruity twist, consider filling them with Nutella or a thick caramel sauce. Ensure your chosen filling isn’t too runny to prevent it from leaking during baking.

• Citrus Zest Boost: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the cookie dough along with the extracts for a brighter, more aromatic shortbread that complements fruit fillings beautifully.

• Nutty Crunch: For extra texture and flavor, finely chop some almonds, walnuts, or pecans and mix them into the crumble topping before baking. You could also add a sprinkle of sliced almonds on top of the jam before adding the crumble for an elegant finish.

• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of cardamom can add warmth and depth to the shortbread dough, particularly if you’re using a jam like apple or peach preserves.

While we encourage experimentation, please note that this recipe has not been extensively tested with all possible substitutions or variations. If you try replacing or adding any ingredients, we’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your delicious results in the comments section below to help other bakers!

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Raspberry Crumble Cookies

Creating these beautiful and delicious raspberry crumble cookies is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of these shortbread delights ready in no time!

Quick Recipe Video Tutorial

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through each stage of making these delectable cookies, ensuring you achieve perfect results every time.

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality raspberry crumble cookies at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:

1. Butter Temperature is Key: Ensure your unsalted butter is at the correct temperature – slightly softened to room temperature, but still cool and firm. If it’s too warm or melted, your dough will be greasy and difficult to work with, affecting the final texture of the shortbread.

2. Precision with Flour: For the most accurate measurement and consistent results in baking, especially with delicate shortbread, always weigh your flour in grams using a food scale. This prevents adding too much flour, which can lead to dry, crumbly cookies.

3. Grease if No Liners: If you’re opting not to use muffin liners, make sure to generously grease your muffin pan with butter. This will ensure the cookies release easily after baking and cooling, preventing any sticking.

4. Seal the Base: When pressing the cookie dough into the muffin liners, take extra care to ensure there are no small holes or cracks in the bottom base. A solid, well-pressed base is crucial to prevent the raspberry jam filling from leaking out during baking, which can make your cookies sticky and difficult to remove.

5. Don’t Overbake: Shortbread cookies are best when baked until just lightly golden around the edges and on top. Overbaking will result in a dry, tough texture. Keep a close watch on your oven, especially towards the end of the baking time, as ovens can vary.

6. Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely in the muffin pan on a wire rack before attempting to handle or remove them. Shortbread is delicate when warm, and cooling helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking apart.

7. Rotate Your Pan: If you notice your oven bakes unevenly, rotate the muffin pan halfway through the baking time. This helps ensure all your cookies bake to a uniform golden perfection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raspberry Crumble Cookies

Proper Storage for Lasting Freshness

Once you’ve baked a batch of these irresistible raspberry crumble cookies, proper storage is key to keeping them fresh and delicious for as long as possible.

Room Temperature Storage

Allow the cookies to cool completely to room temperature before storing them. Once fully cooled, place them in an airtight container. They will remain fresh and delightful at room temperature for up to 5 days. For best results, you can place a piece of parchment paper between layers of cookies if stacking them to prevent sticking.

Freezing Instructions for Longer Enjoyment

These crumble cookies freeze beautifully, making them perfect for future indulgence or preparing ahead for special events. Ensure the cookies are completely cooled before freezing. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, layering with parchment paper if needed. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month without losing quality. To enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours, or warm them slightly in a low oven for a “freshly baked” taste.

More Irresistible Shortbread & Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

If you’ve enjoyed baking and tasting these raspberry crumble cookies, you’re in for a treat! Our collection features a variety of other beloved shortbread and cookie recipes that are equally delightful and easy to make. Expand your baking horizons with these proven winners:

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Your feedback and shares help our baking community grow!

Easy Raspberry Crumble Cookies (Better than Costco!)

Kayla Burton