Description
Classic Linzer Cookies feature a buttery, tender almond-flavored dough sandwiched with your favorite jam and dusted with powdered sugar. These delicate cookies with their signature cut-out tops are perfect for holidays or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (128g) almond flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup (138g) sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Other
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Jam, any flavor, for filling
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt; set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixer bowl, beat the room temperature butter and sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light in color and fluffy, indicating air has been incorporated.
- Add flavorings and egg: Mix in vanilla extract, almond extract, egg, and lemon zest until fully combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until the dough comes together; avoid overmixing to ensure tender cookies.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a 1-inch thick disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 1 hour until firm.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Heat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Roll out dough: Roll out the chilled dough between two sheets of parchment paper to roughly 1/4 inch thickness to prevent sticking and drying out.
- Cut cookie shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut shapes; half should be solid for the jam base, half with cutout designs for the top. To keep dough firm and easy to handle, freeze rolled dough for 5 minutes before cutting. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Bake: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, watching closely so edges just begin to turn golden. Baking times may vary depending on cookie size and thickness.
- Cool cookies: Let baked cookies cool on sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Assemble cookies: Dust cutout cookies with powdered sugar. Spread jam on solid cookies and sandwich with cutout cookies on top to finish.
Notes
- Using parchment paper for rolling helps prevent sticking and drying out the dough.
- Freezing the dough slightly before cutting out shapes makes handling easier and prevents distortion.
- You can use any flavor jam you prefer; raspberry and apricot are classic choices.
- Store assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring almond flour is also gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Austrian
Keywords: Linzer cookies, almond cookies, jam sandwich cookies, holiday cookies, Austrian dessert, buttery cookies
