Linzer cookies are a deliciously sweet and buttery treat, often made during the holidays but perfect for any occasion. With their tender, almond-flavored dough and sweet raspberry jam filling, these cookies are a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The distinctive cut-out design gives them an elegant and festive look, making them a delightful addition to any cookie platter or gift box. If you’re looking for a fun, flavorful treat to bake, Linzer cookies are a wonderful choice.
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (round and heart-shaped)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Fine sieve or sifter (for powdered sugar)
- Spatula
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Raspberry jam (or your choice of fruit jam)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, and beat until combined. - Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms. You may need to finish mixing by hand. - Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough into two portions and shape each into a disc. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight. Chilling the dough will make it easier to roll out and help maintain its shape while baking. - Roll Out the Dough:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies. For half of the cookies, use a cookie cutter with a smaller shape (such as a heart or circle) to cut a hole in the center. - Bake the Cookies:
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. - Assemble the Cookies:
Once the cookies have cooled, spread a thin layer of raspberry jam on the bottom of each full cookie. Place the cookies with the cut-out centers on top, gently pressing them together. The jam should peek through the cut-out shape. - Dust with Powdered Sugar:
Use a fine sieve to dust the top of the cookies with powdered sugar for a festive touch. - Serve and Enjoy:
Your Linzer cookies are now ready to enjoy! Serve them on a platter, share with loved ones, or package them up as a sweet gift.
Presentation Ideas:
- Arrange the Linzer cookies on a decorative plate, perhaps with a few sprigs of fresh mint or holly for a festive touch.
- For a charming gift, wrap the cookies in a cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon.
- Display them in a vintage cookie jar or stack them neatly in a tiered tray.
Tips:
- If you don’t have almond flour, you can substitute with finely ground almonds or simply increase the amount of all-purpose flour.
- You can substitute raspberry jam with other fruit jams like strawberry, apricot, or even lemon curd for a unique twist.
- Be sure to roll the dough evenly to ensure consistent thickness for all your cookies.
- If the dough becomes too soft while rolling, return it to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up again.
Linzer cookies are a delightful and elegant treat that’s perfect for any special occasion or holiday gathering. With their buttery texture and jam-filled center, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone. The combination of almond flavor, sweet jam, and delicate design makes them a timeless classic. Enjoy baking, sharing, and indulging in these beautiful cookies!
Linzer Cookies Recipe
Deliciously buttery and filled with raspberry jam, Linzer cookies are a classic treat with a delightful combination of textures. These festive, heart-shaped cookies are perfect for holidays and special occasions!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie cutters (round and heart-shaped)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Fine sieve or sifter (for powdered sugar)
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Raspberry jam or your choice of fruit jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, and beat until combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms. You may need to finish mixing by hand.
- Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions and shape each into a disc. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight. Chilling the dough will make it easier to roll out and help maintain its shape while baking.
- Roll Out the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies. For half of the cookies, use a cookie cutter with a smaller shape (such as a heart or circle) to cut a hole in the center.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Assemble the Cookies:
- Once the cookies have cooled, spread a thin layer of raspberry jam on the bottom of each full cookie. Place the cookies with the cut-out centers on top, gently pressing them together. The jam should peek through the cut-out shape.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar:
- Use a fine sieve to dust the top of the cookies with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Your Linzer cookies are now ready to enjoy! Serve them on a platter, share with loved ones, or package them up as a sweet gift.
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