Raspberry Linzer cookies are a delightful treat that offers the perfect combination of crumbly texture and sweet flavor. The addition of a juicy jam filling takes them to the next level, making them an ideal choice for any occasion. And the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make, with a recipe that’s straightforward to follow and fun to customize with different shapes and flavors of jam.What sets Linzer cookies apart is their unique blend of buttery flavor and crumbly texture, similar to shortbread. The almond flavor adds an extra layer of depth, making them a delightful treat that’s hard to resist. And let’s not forget the jam – it’s the perfect complement to the cookie’s other flavors.If you’re looking for more ways to satisfy your sweet tooth, be sure to try some of our other favorite cookie recipes. These oreo chocolate chip cookies are a classic combination, while these gingerbread linzer cookies offer a seasonal twist on the traditional recipe. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try making some apple butter thumbprint cookies? They’re sure to impress!
Why You’ll Love Them
The allure of Linzer cookies is undeniable – the sweet raspberry flavor and crumbly texture are a match made in heaven. It’s no wonder why people can’t get enough of them! These cookies may look fancy, but they’re surprisingly easy to make, making them perfect for any special occasion. While they’re often associated with Christmas, their versatility makes them suitable for any celebration, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or a birthday. To give them an extra touch of whimsy, try cutting out heart shapes and using red jam filling – the result is a delightful treat that’s sure to impress.
How to Make Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling
To create this scrumptious cookie recipe, start by preparing the dry ingredients. Combine the ground almonds with brown sugar in one bowl and whisk together flour, cinnamon, and baking powder in another. Next, cream together the butter and powdered sugar before adding an egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Then, mix in the almond mixture followed by the flour mixture. Allow the dough to chill for at least a couple of hours by wrapping it in plastic wrap and refrigerating. Once the dough is sufficiently chilled, roll it out and use a cookie cutter to create rounds, reserving half for star-shaped cutouts. Place the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake until the edges are golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely before spreading raspberry jam over the whole rounds and topping with the reserved star shapes. Finish by dusting with powdered sugar and serving.
Substitutions and Variations
With traditional recipes featuring blackcurrant or redcurrant jam, modern bakers have the freedom to experiment with a variety of fillings. Raspberry, strawberry, and lingonberry preserves can add a sweet twist, while lemon curd or Nutella provide a tangy contrast. The beauty of this cookie recipe lies in its versatility – any shape you can imagine can be achieved, from traditional rounds to creative cutouts like hearts, stars, or animals.
How to Store Linzer Cookies
When it comes to storing Linzer cookies, timing is everything. Freshly baked, these treats are best enjoyed on the same day you make them. If you happen to have some leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough for up to five days before baking. For longer storage, freeze the raw dough for up to eight weeks – just be sure not to freeze the baked cookies, as they’ll likely retain moisture and lose their crispy texture when thawed.
Linzer Cookie FAQs
When it comes to crafting perfect Linzer cookies, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. First, remember that the dough is quite forgiving and can be rolled out multiple times – this can be especially helpful if you’re new to working with intricate cookie cutters. Just make sure to end up with an equal number of hearts with cut-outs as those without.Another important consideration is the filling – jam, jelly, or preserves will soften the cookies over time, making them best enjoyed on the day they’re baked. However, they’ll still keep for a few days in an airtight container.When it comes to assembling the cookies, be gentle when pressing the top cookies onto the filling and bottom cookie. You’re working with baked goods at this stage, not dough, so avoid applying too much pressure – you don’t want your cookies to break! And if you do accidentally break one, remember that as a cook’s privilege, it’s perfectly fine to indulge in a ‘mistake’ or two.When it comes to the nuts used in the crust, almonds and hazelnuts both work well. If using hazelnuts, be sure to remove the skin before grinding them. Alternatively, you can use pre-ground almond flour or hazelnut flour. Just be careful not to over-grind – this can quickly turn your nuts into a paste or even nut butter!For shaping the cookies, a heart-shaped cookie cutter is a great choice. You’ll also need a smaller cutter to create the center cut-out. The size of this cut-out will depend on the size of your heart-shaped cookie cutter, so feel free to experiment and adjust as needed.Finally, it’s worth noting that Linzer cookies can be easily adapted to be gluten-free by substituting gluten-free flour for regular flour – making them a popular choice among those who follow a gluten-free diet.
Linzer Cookies Recipe
Linzer Cookies
Bella Bucchiotti shares the secrets to making Linzer cookies, a beloved holiday treat that combines tender almond cookies with a sweet and tangy raspberry filling. This classic recipe requires just 40 minutes of prep time, followed by 30 minutes in the oven. With a total cooking time of 1 hour and 10 minutes, you’ll be rewarded with 24 deliciously sandwiched cookies perfect for sharing (or not!)
Instructions
In a food processor, reduce a mixture of almonds and brown sugar to a finely ground consistency. Set this aside for later use.Next, in a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, and baking powder. This dry mixture will also be set aside for now.To begin the dough preparation, use an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to cream together butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add an egg to the mix and ensure it’s fully incorporated before introducing the vanilla and almond extracts. Once these flavors are combined, slowly add in the ground almond mixture and continue mixing until well-combined.Finally, integrate the flour mixture into the dough, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated. Form a round disk shape using plastic wrap, flatten it, and refrigerate for at least two hours or more.Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.Dust a work surface lightly with flour. Cut the chilled dough in half and roll out each portion into a larger shape using a cookie cutter (a circle works well). For half of these hearts, use a smaller star-shaped cookie cutter to create a cut-out center. Place these heart shapes onto prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until their edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.To assemble the final product, spread raspberry jam over the larger heart-shaped cookies. Dust the smaller star-cut-out centers with powdered sugar and place these on top of the jam-covered hearts, creating a ‘sandwich’ effect.