Linzer Cookies

Linzer Cookie Recipe

These easy Linzer Cookies are a Christmas tradition and look so pretty on cookie plates and dessert tables! Linzer Cookies are so charming with their sweet jam centers and a beautiful dusting of powdered sugar!

The cookies are buttery and tender and are filled with sweet jam creating a delicious combination of flavors and textures. This impressive cookie is perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions and is always a crowd pleaser.

What Are Linzer Cookies?

Linzer Cookies are a spin on the famous Linzer Tortes which originated in Linz, Austria. Known for it’s nutty pastry base, this torte typically is made with almonds and has a fruit filling – most commonly raspberry or blackcurrant preserves or jam.

This Linzer Cookie recipe has the same flavor profile and ingredients as the Linzer Torte but in a easy-to-make cookie format. This Linzer Cookie recipe consists of an almond-based cookie dough that is sandwiched together with jam – I used raspberry.

The top cookie usually has a small cutout – any shape you want – which reveals the brightly colored jam in the center. A dusting of powdered sugar on the top cookie provides a beautiful visual contrast and added sweetness to the cookies. You can Linzer Cookie Cutters or any round cutters you like and mini cutters for the cutouts.

Linzer Cookies are a popular Christmas cookies but can and should be enjoyed all year round!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These adorable cookies, with their sweet jam centers and pretty dusting of powdered sugar, are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes! Perfect for holiday gatherings, special occasions, or a fun baking day with the kids, this recipe is sure to be a new favorite!

• Easy to Make: Simple to follow instructions and common ingredients make this recipe perfect for bakers of all levels.
• Customizable: The recipe is the ultimate customizable recipe because you can choose different flavor jams and cut out different shapes which makes them perfect for all occasions. These are so fun for Valentine’s Day with heart cutouts, Easter with bunny or cross cutouts, Halloween with pumpkin cutouts and so on.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are so pretty that they are sure to be the hit of Christmas cookie trays, potlucks, or special gatherings.

How To Make Linzer Cookies

These cookies are simple to make but do require chilling time for the dough so make sure to plan according. This Linzer Cookie recipe blends smooth almond flour and rich buttery dough with a sweet jam filling – perfect for Christmas!

Make Dough

1. Whisk together all purpose flour, almond flour and salt.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract and egg. Mix until combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mixing just until combined and a dough forms.
5. Cover and chill for an hour.
6. Place cookie dough on lightly floured surface or place between two pieces of parchment.
7. Roll out the dough to about 1⁄4 of an inch thick.
8. Use a round linzer cookie cutter to cut out your cookies or use a round cutter and small Christmas cookie cutter to cut out the centers of 1⁄2 the cookies.
9. Quickly re-roll the remaining cookie dough and repeat the process until you’ve used all the dough.

Bake and Assemble

1. Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden.
2. Remove the cookies and let cool for 1 to 2 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Assemble the cookies by spreading jam on the solid cookies and dusting the cookies with cutouts with powdered sugar. Place a cutout cookie on top of a solid cookie to create a sandwich.

Storage Information

• Leftovers. Linzer Cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Making dough in advance. Prepare as instructed, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• Freezing cookies. Let cookies cool completely and then layer them in between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Recipe Variations

• Try different flavor jams! Blackberry, raspberry and apricot are all delicious options.
• Add a little spice to the cookie dough. This cinnamon or nutmeg or a blend like pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice. Start with half a teaspoon and adjust to your liking.
• Cut out different shapes on the top cookie to customize for any occasion.
• Add a bit of orange or lemon zest to the cookie dough for added brightness and flavor.

Trish’s Tips

• Use room temperature ingredients for best results.
• Make sure to chill the dough. This firms the dough up and makes it less sticky which means easier rolling, handling, etc.
• Flour your cookie cutter for a seamless cut.
• Use my favorite rolling pin to ensure your dough is even thickness which results in uniform baking.

What flavors of jam can I use?

Raspberry, strawberry, apricot and blackberry jam are great choices for this Linzer Cookie recipe but use your favorite flavor. Use a nice and thick jam so it doesn’t run out of the cookies.

Is there a substitute for the almond flour?

Yes, you can use additional all purpose flour but it will slightly alter the flavor and texture of the cookies.

What do I do if the dough is too sticky or too crumbly?

If the dough is too sticky to handle, add a tablespoon or two of flour. If it’s too crumbly, add a few drops of water.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Let cookies cool completely and then layer them in between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight, freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.