Buttery Hazelnut Linzer Cookies Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Crafting delicate hazelnut linzer cookies brings pure joy to my baking adventures.

Sweet memories of childhood drift through my kitchen whenever I prepare these delightful treats.

Nutty aromas swirl around mixing bowls, promising delectable moments ahead.

Delicate sandwich cookies with ruby jam centers capture warmth and elegance in every bite.

Crisp butter-rich pastry melts softly against your palate, revealing layers of rich hazelnut flavor.

Each carefully cut cookie becomes a tiny masterpiece of culinary creativity.

Hazelnut Linzer Cookies With Elegant Flavor Layers

• Unleash Effortless Baking Bliss: Discover the magic of this gingerbread cake that transforms baking into a joyful experience.
• Quick and Foolproof Preparation: Whip up this delectable dessert in under an hour with simple steps that even beginner bakers can master confidently.
• Coffee-Infused Flavor Explosion: Elevate your dessert game with a rich coffee soak that adds depth and sophistication to the classic gingerbread recipe.
• Crowd-Pleasing Holiday Showstopper: Create a stunning centerpiece that will impress family and friends at any seasonal gathering or festive celebration.

Linzer Cookie Dough with Hazelnuts

• Flour: Provides structure and bulk for the gingerbread cake.
• Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Classic warming spices that give traditional gingerbread flavor.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep sweetness and moisture.
• Molasses: Gives signature dark color and deep caramel-like flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
• Buttermilk: Helps create a tender crumb and adds slight tanginess.

• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and creates light texture.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out flavor profile.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base for frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps set frosting.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds intense vanilla flavor with visible bean specks.

• Brewed Coffee: Moistens and adds rich flavor to cake layers.
• Cinnamon: Optional decorative and flavor-enhancing sprinkle.
• Coffee Beans: Optional decorative element.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Optional festive decoration.

Hazelnut Linzer Cookies Making Instructions

Step 1: Create Nutty Cookie Dough

Mix together flour, ground hazelnuts, and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Add softened butter and blend until the mixture forms a smooth, cohesive dough.

Work the ingredients gently with your hands until they come together perfectly.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour to firm up.

Step 2: Roll Out the Delicate Dough

Dust your work surface with flour.

Take the chilled dough and roll it out to a thin, even layer using a rolling pin.

Use gentle, consistent pressure to create a smooth surface about 1/8 inch thick.

Step 3: Cut Out Magical Cookie Shapes

Select your favorite cookie cutters.

Create beautiful circular or heart-shaped cookies, making sure to cut an additional set of cookie tops with a smaller decorative cutout in the center.

This will allow the jam to peek through beautifully.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the cookie shapes on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Bake in a preheated oven until the edges turn a light golden brown.

The cookies should look delicate and slightly crisp around the edges.

Step 5: Craft the Delightful Filling

While the cookies cool completely, prepare the filling.

Choose a high-quality raspberry or hazelnut jam.

The jam should be smooth and spreadable.

Step 6: Assemble the Linzer Magic

Take the bottom cookie base and spread a thin layer of jam.

Carefully place the top cookie with the decorative cutout over the jam.

Dust the assembled cookies with a light coating of powdered sugar.

Step 7: Store and Serve

Place the finished Linzer cookies in an airtight container.

They’ll stay fresh and delicious for several days, making them perfect for sharing or enjoying with a cup of coffee.

Cookie Tips With Hazelnut Linzer Tradition

• Use exact measurements for flour, spices, and other ingredients to ensure the perfect texture and flavor balance.
• Bring butter, eggs, and cream cheese to room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake consistency.
• Brush coffee evenly and lightly to avoid soggy cake; use a pastry brush for controlled application.
• Chill cream cheese and butter before beating to create a more stable and fluffy frosting that spreads easily.
• Experiment with different toppings like crushed hazelnuts or chocolate shavings for added texture and visual appeal.

Hazelnut Linzer Cookies: Storage Tips for Freshness

• Store leftover cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep chilled for up to 5 days.
• Wrap individual cookies or entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 months without losing quality.
• Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain crisp texture.
• Warm slightly in preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore original crispness and enhance hazelnut flavor before enjoying.

Nutty Matches For Linzer Cookies

• Flavor Symphony Pairings
• Brew Bold Coffee Companions: Pair this gingerbread cake with a robust espresso or dark roast coffee to enhance the cake's warm spices and deep molasses notes.
• Select Sweet Wine Partners: Match the dessert with a late harvest Riesling or Port wine, which complement the cake's rich, sweet undertones and creamy frosting.
• Explore Spice-Infused Beverage Matches: Serve alongside a chai latte or mulled wine to amplify the gingerbread's complex spice profile and create a harmonious tasting experience.
• Create Textural Contrast Sides: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped mascarpone cream to balance the cake's dense texture and provide a cool, smooth counterpoint.

Nutty Twists on Hazelnut Linzer Cookies

• Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies: Swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly option.
• Vegan Hazelnut Linzer Cookies: Replace butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free powdered sugar.
• Low-Sugar Variation: Substitute traditional sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content.
• Nutty Alternative: Incorporate ground almonds or pecans into the cookie dough for extra crunch and depth of flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use different spices in this recipe?

You can customize the spice blend by adjusting the amounts of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to suit your taste preferences. Just maintain the total volume of spices.

• Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a moist, tender cake. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, left to sit for 5 minutes before using.

• How do I prevent the cake from being dry?

Make sure not to overmix the batter and check the cake early with a toothpick. The coffee soak also helps keep the cake moist and adds extra flavor. Don’t overbake – remove from the oven when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake layers in advance and store them wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for 1-2 days. The frosted cake can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before serving.

Hazelnut Linzer Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delicate Hazelnut Linzer Cookies blend Austrian baking traditions with rich, nutty flavors that dance across your palate. Delightful sandwich cookies filled with raspberry jam promise a sweet escape that connects you to old-world culinary elegance.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole raw hazelnuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks or 226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Assembly Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup jam or marmalade
• 23 tablespoons powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Craft the delicate hazelnut cookie dough by blending ground hazelnuts with flour, ensuring a smooth, cohesive mixture that will create a rich, nutty base for the linzer cookies.
2. Chill the prepared dough thoroughly in the refrigerator, allowing the ingredients to meld and the texture to become firm enough for precise rolling and cutting.
3. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to an even thickness, creating a smooth, uniform sheet that will yield perfectly shaped cookie bases and delicate cut-out tops.
4. Use carefully selected cookie cutters to create matching base and top pieces, with one set featuring an elegant cut-out center to showcase the vibrant jam filling.
5. Gently transfer the delicate cookie shapes to prepared baking sheets, maintaining their intricate shapes and ensuring even spacing for consistent baking.
6. Bake the cookies until the edges turn a gentle golden hue, watching carefully to prevent over-browning and maintain their delicate texture.
7. Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on wire racks, which helps them firm up and develop a crisp, refined texture.
8. Spread a thin layer of high-quality raspberry or hazelnut jam on the solid cookie bases, creating a luscious, glossy filling.
9. Carefully dust the cut-out cookie tops with a delicate veil of powdered sugar, adding an elegant finishing touch.
10. Assemble the cookies by gently placing the cut-out tops over the jam-covered bases, creating a beautiful sandwich that showcases the intricate design and vibrant filling.

Notes

• Toast hazelnuts before grinding to enhance their nutty, rich flavor and release natural oils.
• Swap wheat flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or oat flour for celiac-friendly cookies.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, consistent dough texture and even baking.
• Chill dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain precise cookie shapes during baking.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Austrian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 162
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg