If you scroll all the way down my Instagram feed, you’ll see a couple of posts about these cookies with the caption: “My kitchen is slowly turning into a bakery”. That was 2014, right before I started this blog. I made these cookies SO MANY TIMES since then, and I only now realize they never made it to this blog. How did I let that happen???
These Jam-filled Pasta Frolla Cookies are definitely a classic. You’ll find them in any Italian pastry shop, more commonly shaped in a circle and, right for this reason, they’re traditionally known as “Occhi Di Bue” (Ox’s Eyes or Bull’s Eyes). Since I made these for Valentine’s Day this year, may we just call these “Heart-shaped sandwich pasta frolla cookies filled with jam”? Too long, too descriptive, and not as metaphorical. Darn.
Well, I’m a huge fan of jam-filled tarts, and to me these cookies are like a miniature, portable version of a crostata alla marmellata. Buttery, sweet and tart — they’re among my top pastries to choose from when I have coffee or breakfast with a friend, and they’re my go-to recipe when I want to gift somebody a homemade sweet. Whether you want to cut out circles or hearts, or you want to fill it with jam or hazelnut spread or chocolate ganache, they’re going to be loved! Trust me.
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