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These elegant Linzer Cookies are a delightful combination of buttery goodness, sweet raspberry jam, and nutty almonds! Loved by all, they are a timeless favorite, perfect whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or as part of a holiday spread!
What Are Linzer Cookies
Coming to us from the picturesque city of Linz, Austria, linzer cookies are a delightful sandwich-style treat. Their buttery base, enriched with finely ground almonds, introduces a nutty undertone that harmonizes perfectly with the sweet raspberry jam nestled between the layers. With its delicious flavor and visual appeal, this Linzer cookie recipe is a must try this holiday season!
Why You’ll Love Linzer Cookies
- Easy Elegance! Don’t be fooled! These cookies may look intricate, but they’re as easy to make as they are delicious, making them an ideal choice for all bakers of skill levels.
- All Time Favorite! They quickly disappear! The combination of the almond-infused buttery dough and tangy raspberry jam creates a cookie that is nothing short of divine.
- Perfect For Sharing! Linzer cookies are an excellent gift. Their yummy taste and charming presentation make them a thoughtful and festive treat to share during Christmas!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Finely Ground Almonds: Used in combination with all-purpose flour, almond flour creates the base of the cookie dough while adding a hint of nutty flavor. You can also use finely ground hazelnuts.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure and texture needed for the dough.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent that gives the cookies their light and airy texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and accentuates the flavor of the ground nuts.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds buttery richness and ensures a smooth dough. It’s important to use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dough.
- Granulated Sugar: Perfectly sweetens the dough and makes the cookies tender.
- Large Egg: Serves as a binding agent that brings the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract: Elevates the overall flavor profile by adding aortic depth.
- Lemon Zest: Adds a touch of citrusy freshness that highlights the flavor of the jam.
- Raspberry Jam: Provides the cookie sandwiches with a layer of fruity goodness! Raspberry jam and strawberry jam are the most popular, any type of fruit preserves will do the trick.
- Powdered Sugar: Used as a finishing touch that adds a final layer of delicate sweetness and visual appeal to the linzer cookies.
Similar to my classic sugar cookies, these pretty little sweet treats are fairly simple cut-out cookies. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a batch of delicious homemade Linzers in no time!
Make The Dough
Begin by whisking the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl and then set it aside. Next, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Then beat in the egg followed by the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
Now, gradually begin mixing the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined. Do your best not to over-mix the dough as this can toughen the cookies.
Once made, equally divide the dough into two parts. Then wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in the fridge to chill for at least one hour or until the dough is firm enough to roll.
Cut-Out The Cookies
First, place the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface. Then use a rolling pin to roll it out to about ¼-inch in thickness. Now, use a round cookie cutter to cut out as many circles as possible from the rolled-out dough. These circles will form both the bottoms and tops of your cookies.
Next, take half of the circles and use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out a shape to reveal the jam. It could be a smaller circle, a heart, a star, or whatever shape you like. These will form the tops of your linzers.
Now, place the cut cookies about an inch apart on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Bake The Cookies
Transfer the cookies to a preheated oven and let them bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350°F (175°C). When done, the edges will be slightly golden and set. Then remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before placing them on a wire rack to cool completely.
Assemble The Cookies
Once cooled, spread a layer of raspberry jam on the circle cookies. Then place the cookies with the cut-out center on top, pressing lightly so that they adhere and the jam can peek through. Finally, dust your Linzer cookies with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other fillings?
Yes, you can use any type of jam you prefer. Some popular choices are apricot, strawberry, peach, or even black currant preserves. You can also use other fillings like Nutella, peanut butter, caramel, or lemon curd.
Why is my dough cracking?
One possibility is that you are overworking the dough, which will develop gluten and make it tough. Another possibility is that it is too cold to roll and you need to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Finally, your dough may be just too dry. If this is the case, you can add a teeny bit of water to the dough until it is pliable.
Why are my cookies crispy?
Crispy cookies most often result from overbaking or rolling the dough too thin.
How can you tell when the cookies are done?
Watch the edges closely as an indicator of their readiness; they will turn lightly golden. Additionally, keep in mind that the cookies continue to set slightly after you remove them from the oven.
Expert Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients. Take your butter and egg out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you start baking. This will allow them to come to room temperature and blend together seamlessly in the dough.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Overmixing can develop gluten in the flour, making the cookies tough and chewy. Once the dough comes together, stop mixing and avoid adding extra flour.
- Let the dough chill. Give the cookie dough at least an hour in the fridge. This not only enhances the flavor but also makes the dough easier to handle and shape.
- Form uniform cookies. Roll out the cookie dough to a consistent thickness of ¼ inch to ensure even baking. This guarantees a uniform texture in the finished cookies.
- Use sharp cookie cutters. This will create clean edges and prevent the dough from tearing. You can also dip the cookie cutter in flour before each cut to help prevent the cookie dough from sticking.
- Cool completely before assembling. Warm cookies will melt the jam and make the cookies soggy. They must be at room temperature before spreading on the jam.
- Experiment with shapes. Have fun with cookie-cutter shapes. Try various sizes and festive designs to add a creative flair to your linzer cookies.
Storage
To keep your Linzer cookies at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature between layers of parchment paper and consume them within 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature and then dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
Discover More Delicious Christmas Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Rugelach Cookies
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
- The Perfect Shortbread Cookies
- Russian Tea Cakes
- Lemon Sugar Cookies
- Butter Cookies
- Italian Almond Cookies
- Shortbread Cookies
Linzer Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup almonds or hazelnuts, finely ground
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- zest of 1 lemon
Filling
- ¾ cup raspberry jam or any other jam you prefer
For Dusting
- powder sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract. If using, add the lemon zest for extra flavor.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Divide the dough into two parts, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Using a round cookie cutter, cut out as many circles as you can from the rolled-out dough. These circles will serve as both the bottoms and tops of your Linzer cookies.
- Take half of the round cookies you've just cut and use a smaller cookie cutter (this could be a smaller circle, a star, a heart, etc.) to cut out a shape from the center of each. These cookies with the cut-outs will serve as the "tops" of your Linzer cookies. The remaining full rounds will serve as the "bottoms."
- Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a small amount of jam on the whole cookies. Place the cookies with the cut-out centers on top, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Dust the assembled Linzer cookies with powdered sugar just before serving.
Tips & Notes:
- Nut Choice: Almonds give a classic flavor, but hazelnuts can add a unique twist. Make sure they are finely ground for the best texture.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step as it helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
- Jam Options: Raspberry jam is traditional, but feel free to experiment with different flavors like apricot, blackberry, or strawberry.
- Cookie Cutter Sizes: Use two cutters of different sizes for the base and the top. The top cutter should have a smaller shape for the cut-out.
- Baking Time: Watch the cookies closely as they bake. They should be just golden around the edges, not too brown.
- Assembling Cookies: Wait until the cookies are completely cool before assembling them with jam to prevent them from becoming soggy.
