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Linzer Cookies 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.

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

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and set aside for later use.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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