Introduction

Linzer cookies are a delightful treat featuring a tender, nutty dough filled with sweet jam and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. These elegant cookies are perfect for sharing during holidays or special occasions, with their classic cutout shapes and rich flavors.

Ingredients

2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (128g) almond flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup (138g) sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 large egg
1 tsp lemon zest
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Jam, any flavor, for filling

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Add vanilla extract, almond extract, egg, and lemon zest to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Shape the dough into a disk about 1 inch thick, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about one hour until chilled.
Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Step 7: Roll out the chilled dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Step 8: Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough, making half solid and half with cutouts. To handle soft dough, chill the rolled dough in the freezer for about 5 minutes before cutting.
Step 9: Place the cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are just turning golden.
Step 10: Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 11: To assemble, dust the cutout cookies with powdered sugar. Spread jam on the solid cookies and sandwich with the powdered cutout cookies on top.

Tips & Variations

Using almond flour adds a nutty flavor and tender texture; substitute with hazelnut flour for a different twist.
Chilling the dough is essential to keep cookies from spreading and to make cutting easier.
Try raspberry or apricot jam for a classic flavor pairing, or experiment with fig or strawberry preserves.
Dust with powdered sugar just before serving to keep the design crisp and fresh looking.

Storage

Store assembled Linzer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep the cookies (without jam or powdered sugar) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Re-apply powdered sugar before serving. Leftover dough can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Linzer cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for several months. Be sure to wrap it tightly to prevent drying out.

What kind of jam works best for Linzer cookies?

Traditional Linzer cookies use raspberry jam, but you can use any fruit jam you like such as apricot, strawberry, or fig. Choose a jam with a smooth consistency to spread easily between the cookies.

Linzer Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 66 reviews

These classic Linzer Cookies are tender and buttery with a delightful almond flavor, filled with your favorite jam and dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion, these cookies bring a beautiful combination of nutty and fruity tastes with a charming cutout design.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Yield: About 24–30 cookies depending on size 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Austrian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (128g) almond flour
1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup (138g) sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 large egg
1 tsp lemon zest

For Assembly

Powdered sugar, for dusting
Jam, any flavor, for filling

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and set aside for later use.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and sugar together on medium speed using a mixer until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This ensures a smooth texture for the cookie dough.
Add Flavors and Egg: Add vanilla extract, almond extract, egg, and lemon zest to the creamed mixture. Mix until everything is well incorporated and smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid over mixing to keep the cookies tender.
Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disk about 1 inch thick, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about an hour until chilled. This helps in easier rolling and cutting of the dough.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
Roll Out the Dough: Roll the chilled dough between two sheets of parchment paper to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Using parchment reduces mess and prevents the dough from drying out.
Cut the Cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Half should be solid shapes, and the other half should have cutout designs in the center. To make cutting easier, place the rolled dough on the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up before cutting. Re-roll scraps as needed and repeat the cutting process.
Bake the Cookies: Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Baking time may vary depending on cookie size and thickness, so watch closely.
Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to avoid breakage.
Assemble and Decorate: Dust the cutout cookies with powdered sugar. Spread a layer of jam onto the solid cookies, then sandwich them with the powdered sugar-top cookies, creating the classic Linzer look and flavor.

Notes

Using almond flour adds a nutty flavor and tender texture typical of Linzer cookies.
Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Rolling the dough between parchment paper helps prevent sticking and drying out.
Freezing the rolled dough before cutting helps maintain crisp edges and shape.
Feel free to use any jam flavor you prefer; raspberry or apricot are traditional choices.
Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.

Keywords: Linzer cookies, almond cookies, jam filled cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday baking, buttery cookies, almond flour cookies