These Linzer cookies combine crisp buttery goodness and sweet raspberry jam for the perfect cookie sandwich. With a signature cut-out top cookie design it adds a touch of elegance and festivity to holiday cookie platters!
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Classic Christmas Cookie
It’s that time of the year when the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookie recipes fills our homes. One treat that’s always a star on our holiday cookie platters is the classic Linzer cookie.
They are a holiday favorite, and are a cross between a shortbread cookie and a butter cookie sandwiched together by a sweet raspberry jam filling. Whether you call them Linzer cookies, Linzer tart cookies, or Linzer heart cookies, they are a must-have on your Christmas cookie list!
Why This Recipe Works
- Buttery goodness. This Linzer cookie recipe uses plenty of butter for a rich buttery flavor that’s simply irresistible. It’s the secret to achieving the melt-in-your-mouth texture!
- Hint of almond. The addition of almond extract adds a subtle, nutty flavor to the cookie that pairs perfectly with the sweet raspberry preserves.
- Cookie platter favorite. Include alongside Christmas sugar cookies and don’t forget some gingerbread man cookies to make it complete.
Linzer Cookie Ingredients
Before we roll up our sleeves and get baking, let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients that make these cookies so special.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Almond extract: Almond extract is what gives these Linzer cookies their distinct nutty flavor. Just a teaspoon is all you need to infuse the dough with delightful almond taste.
- Egg yolks: The egg yolks add richness and structure to the dough, ensuring it holds its shape and doesn’t spread too much during baking.
- Raspberry preserves: The raspberry preserves are the heart of these cookies. They provide the sweet and tart filling that makes Linzer cookies so irresistible.
- Baking staples: You’ll also need all-purpose flour, unsalted butter at room temperature, and powdered sugar for decorating.
Substitutions and Variations
While raspberry preserves are the classic choice, you can experiment with various fruit preserves or jams to create unique flavor combinations.
Apricot jam, blackberry jam, and strawberry jam all work beautifully or for a special twist, try Nutella, caramel, dulce de leche, or chocolate ganache.
If you have a smaller heart shaped cookie cutter for the top cookie, these are also perfect for a Valentine’s Day dessert!
How to Make Linzer Cookies
This recipe is pretty straightforward. The dough needs 15 minutes of chilling time before you roll it out, and this is a great time to heat your oven.
- Prepare the dough: Cream together butter, almond extract, egg yolks, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the dry ingredients: Combine salt and flour, then slowly add it to the mixture until you have dough with small clumps.
- Chill: Divide the dough into two discs and chill them for 15 minutes.
- Shape: Roll the disc of dough out with a rolling pin and cut the cookies into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
- Bake and assemble: Bake the cookies on a prepared cookie sheet until golden, then cool. Add raspberry preserves to the center of half of the cookies and sandwich together with the top halves. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Baking time will decrease to about 9 minutes if using a 2 inch sized cookie cutter or if rolling to less than 1/4 inch thickness.
- Make sure to use only real butter and almond extract in these shortbread cookies to get the best flavor.
- If the dough becomes too soft to cut out, don’t fret! Simply refrigerate it for a few minutes, and then continue rolling it out.
- Use an offset spatula to transfer your cookies from the floured surface to your prepared baking sheet.
- Let the cookies cool completely before assembling. The powdered sugar will dissolve into the cookies if you sprinkle it on while they’re still warm.
Recipe FAQs
You can find these fun cookie cutters at most places you’d find any type of cookie cutters. Check your local Walmart, Williams Sonoma, or any baking craft shop. Of course, when in doubt, there’s always Amazon.
Linzer Cookies originally came to us from Austria. They’re a sandwich cookie that consists of two almond-flavored shortbread cookies with a cutout on the top cookie. The cutout reveals a sweet fruit jam or a preserve filling, typically raspberry. The stained glass appearance is so pretty and they make a special holiday treat!
Yes, you can prepare the Linzer cookie dough up to a week in advance. Simply wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. This is a great time-saving option for busy holiday baking days.
Store your Linzer cookies in an airtight container for up to one week, or prepare them in advance and freeze them for up to three months. This makes it easy to have a batch ready whenever you need a sweet treat.
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Linzer Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 14 Tablespoons unsalted butter , at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup powdered sugar , plus more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour , spooned and leveled
- ½ cup raspberry preserves
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk the butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Mix in the almond extract and egg yolks until combined. Reduce speed to low and slowly mix in the powdered sugar until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a small bowl, stir together the salt and flour. Slowly add to the mixer on low speed just until combined, being careful not to overmix, stopping when you see small clumpy pieces of dough. Divide the dough in half and form 2 disks. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out 1 disc from the fridge to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 inch cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place on the baking sheet. Gather remaining dough and roll out again to cut additional cookies. Using a smaller cookie cutter of any shape, cut out the center of only half of the cookies on the sheet (these will become the top of the sandwiched cookies).
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until just starting to turn golden brown around the edges. Repeat cutting cookies with second disc while the cookies bake. Let the cookies cool completely on a cooling rack before assembling.
- Spread 1 teaspoon of preserves across the bottom of 1 whole cookie. Place a cut-out cookie on top. Use a piping bag filled with preserves to add additional preserves into the cutout center, if desired. Dust the tops with powdered sugar.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Christmas, Cookies, Desserts, Holiday Cookies
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
These always make the perfect holiday gifts for my kids teachers etc! Thank you for making hem easy to make.
I love that! :)
THESE ARE SO CUTE!! and I love that they aren’t super common, they are so unique! My neighbors have been asking me for the recipe again and again. Love it.
This makes me so happy! I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe and your friends as well :)
I made these today and they are the perfect holiday dessert, I love them.
I love them too! I’m glad you enjoyed it!