Name: Linzer Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: Austrian
Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened; 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup (85 g) almond flour; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar; 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup jam (any kind)

Sweet memories of childhood often spark when crafting delicate linzer cookies that melt instantly on your tongue.

Grandmothers across Austria perfected this delightful treat generations ago.

Delicate almond-based pastry sandwiches create miniature windows of ruby-red jam peeking through.

Powdered sugar dusts these elegant confections like soft winter snow.

Intricate cut-outs make each cookie a miniature work of art.

Baking these requires patience and a gentle touch, transforming simple ingredients into something magical.

You’ll treasure every bite of these classic Austrian delicacies that connect generations through pure deliciousness.

Linzer Cookies That Add Elegance To Dessert

Effortless Holiday Charm: Create stunning Linzer cookies with minimal baking skills, perfect for festive gatherings and cookie exchanges.
Versatile Customization: Switch jam flavors like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry to match personal preferences or seasonal availability, making each batch unique.
Quick Preparation: Chill dough for just one hour, then swiftly cut, bake, and assemble cookies in under 30 minutes, ideal for busy home bakers seeking delightful treats.
Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: Impress guests with elegant, powdered sugar-dusted sandwich cookies that look professionally crafted but require simple techniques anyone can master.

What’s Shaped into Linzer Cookies

Butter Ingredients:

Butter: Provides richness and tender texture to the cookie base.
Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Sweet components for smooth cookie flavor.

Flour Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Main structural component for cookie texture.
Almond Flour: Adds nutty flavor and tender crumb to cookies.

Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:

Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Provides deep, complex flavor profile.

Binding and Finishing Ingredients:

Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
Jam: Sweet filling between cookie layers.
Powdered Sugar: Light dusting for final decorative touch.

Baking Preparation Ingredients:

Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking during baking.

Notes for Ingredients:

Use room temperature butter for smooth mixing.
Choose high-quality vanilla and almond extracts.
Select seedless jam for clean cookie appearance.
Opt for unsalted butter to control salt content.
Use fresh, large egg at room temperature.

How to Make Linzer Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend butter with granulated and powdered sugars until they become creamy and smooth.

Crack in an egg and splash in vanilla and almond extracts.

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks light and fluffy.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough

Sift in all-purpose flour, almond flour, and a pinch of salt.

Gently mix until the dough comes together without any dry patches.

The texture should feel soft and pliable.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and tuck it into the refrigerator.

Let it rest and firm up for at least one hour, which helps develop richer flavors and makes rolling easier.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F or 160°C for fan ovens.

Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cookie removal.

Step 5: Shape Delicate Cookies

Sprinkle a clean surface with flour.

Roll out the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness.

Use festive cookie cutters to create shapes:

Classic round cutters
Heart-shaped cutters
Snowflake designs

Cut half of the cookies with a smaller window in the center.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer cookies carefully onto prepared baking sheets.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden color.

Let cookies cool completely on wire racks.

Step 7: Assemble with Jam

Flip solid cookie bases upside down.

Spread a thin, even layer of raspberry or strawberry jam across each base.

Step 8: Final Elegant Touch

Gently place the windowed cookie tops over the jam-covered bases.

Dust the entire batch with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a beautiful, bakery-style finish.

Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the ideal creamy consistency for smooth mixing.
Refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, defined cookie shapes during baking.
Select high-quality raspberry or apricot preserves with minimal seeds for the most elegant and delicious filling.
Dust work surface and rolling pin with flour sparingly to prevent dough from becoming tough or dry.
Experiment with different shaped cookie cutters and window patterns to create unique, personalized Linzer cookies.

Linzer Cookies Stored Sweet and Crumbly for Later

Store completely cooled Linzer cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, which can make cookies soggy.
Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve their delicate texture and prevent jam from seeping.

Lovely Sips For Linzer Cookies

Pair Perfectly with Sweet Sips: A chilled glass of dessert Moscato wine complements the delicate almond and jam flavors, creating a harmonious taste experience that dances on your palate.
Brew Complementary Coffee: Serve alongside a smooth cappuccano or light roast espresso, which enhances the cookie's nutty undertones and provides a warm, rich contrast to the sweet jam center.
Match with Creamy Accompaniments: A scoop of vanilla bean gelato or light whipped cream can elevate these delicate cookies, adding a luxurious texture that balances the crisp cookie and fruity jam.
Explore Herbal Tea Pairings: Steep a mild chamomile or lavender tea to create a soothing backdrop that highlights the cookie's subtle almond and sweet jam notes without overwhelming the delicate flavors.

Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour and almond flour with a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free almond flour to create a celiac-friendly version.
Vegan Linzer Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a traditional egg, and select plant-based jam for a dairy-free and egg-free alternative.
Chocolate Linzer Cookies: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dough for a rich chocolate base, and use chocolate hazelnut spread instead of traditional fruit jam for filling.
Nut-Free Option: Remove almond flour completely and use additional all-purpose flour or a seed flour like sunflower seed flour to maintain the original texture while accommodating nut allergies.

FAQs

What are Linzer Cookies traditionally from?

Linzer Cookies originate from Linz, Austria, and are a popular European holiday treat inspired by the famous Linzer Torte, a traditional Austrian dessert.

Do I need special equipment to make these cookies?

You’ll need basic baking tools like cookie cutters, rolling pin, mixing bowls, and baking sheets. A heart or round cutter works best for creating the classic Linzer cookie shape.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator. This actually helps develop better flavor and makes rolling easier.

What type of jam works best for Linzer Cookies?

Raspberry and apricot jams are traditional choices. Use high-quality, seedless jam for a smooth, clean finish between cookie layers.

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis

Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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