Let’s talk about cookies… Linzer cookies. I love the way cookies make people smile. They’re a universal symbol of good things like holidays, celebrations, and grandmas. Along with a smile, this Linzer cookies recipe usually gets a “Wow” – quickly followed by “Can I have another?”
These traditional Austrian sandwich cookies are stunning with their cut out centers and jam filling, but they don’t just look pretty. These Linzer cookies taste amazing! The thought of the sweet cookie mixing with tart jam makes my mouth water.
These cookies are perfect when you serve them with spritz cookies, pfeffernusse cookies, and biscoff cookies to make a beautiful Christmas cookies tray.
Let’s bake some cookies!
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What I Love About This Linzer Cookies Recipe
- Pretty eye-catching presentation
- The tart raspberries combined with the sweet cookie- YUM
- The cookie’s super smooth, buttery texture
- Lots of ways to put your own spin on them
Linzer Cookies Recipe Notes
Raspberry linzer cookies may look difficult to make, but they’re really just a fancy sandwich cookie! Here are a few tips to help!
- Toasting the nuts: I use hazelnuts in this Linzer cookies recipe because I love their rich flavor. Toasting hazelnuts allows you to rub the skins off easily. I like the oven method explained below:
- Spread the nuts on a cookie sheet and pop them in a 350 oven for about 15 minutes. Stir them every five minutes or so. When they smell yummy, and the skins have split open, they’re done!
- Put them in a bowl lined with a kitchen towel and let them cool a bit. Pull the towel closed around them like a bag. Rub the nuts around until the skins have pulled off.
- Remove the nuts from the towel, but leave the husks behind.
- Baking: I suggest baking the cookie tops on one sheet and the bottoms on another. Since the tops have less cookie dough, they cook faster. You don’t want to overcook these cookies. They’ll become brittle and dry.
- Cookie cutters: Linzer cookies are traditionally made with a circle in the middle. You can use whatever shapes you have. Hearts and stars are always popular.
- Hazelnuts: Hazelnuts can be a little pricey and not always available. Almonds make a great substitute!
- Raspberry jam: Linzer cookies are traditionally made with red or black currant jam, but I love the tartness of raspberry alongside the sweetness of the cookies. You can use whatever jam you prefer!
- Confectioners sugar: Powdered sugar makes the consistency of the cookies super smooth. It’s the secret to their velvety texture. Don’t be tempted to substitute granulated!
- Be gentle when packing these cookies. The tops can be fragile. I suggest putting a layer of wax paper between layers of cookies. Make sure you’re using a tightly sealed container to maintain their freshness.
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
The baked shortbread Linzer cookies will last up to 2 months. in the fridge.
Can You Freeze These Linzer Cookies?
I suggest freezing these cookies without the jam. Freeze the tops and bottoms after they are completely cooled in a freezer container. They break easily, so I’d avoid ziplock bags.
Allow them to thaw before you finish assembling them. They can be frozen in their sandwich form, but the jam can soften the cookies in the freezer. They will hold in the freezer for 2 months, according to food handling guidelines.
Make Ahead Tips
This Linzer cookies recipe stores well in the fridge. It’s good dough to let sit for a couple of days. Just make sure you’ve wrapped it well in cling wrap, so it doesn’t dry out.
Serving Recommendations
For the kids and non-alcoholic drinkers, a warm glass of milk or a hot chocolate with marshmallows on top are always perfect to pair with any cookies.
For the adults, we recommend sipping a cup of spiked hot chocolate or a glass of fall sangria (my absolute favorite, ever!) while eating half a dozen of these cookies.
Recipe Variations
- Dust cookies with confectioners’ sugar. Like Martha Stewart Linzer cookies, dust these cookies with confectioners’ sugar or coat it heavily like my danish wedding cookies and almond crescent cookies!
- Use gingerbread cookies. Some Linzer cookie recipes are made with gingerbread cookies. Use your favorite gingerbread cookie recipe, cut it with a cookie-cutter then fill it with jam. Soft gingerbread cookies are a great option too.
- Add cinnamon. Mix a little amount of cinnamon in the dough. Or roll the cookie dough with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar like what I did with my cinnamon sugar cookies.
- Use almonds instead of hazelnut. No hazelnut? Use finely ground almonds instead, like what I use in Italian wedding cookies and vanillekipferl.
More Christmas Cookies Recipes
- Chocolate Christmas Cookies
- Italian Christmas Cookies
- Christmas Butter Cookies
- Christmas Crack
- Candy Cane Cookies
Linzer Cookies
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and skinned
- 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces and chilled
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, simmer the raspberry jam over medium heat, stirring often until it's reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes; set aside and let cool completely.
- Add the hazelnuts and sugar to the bowl of a food processor and process until nuts are finely ground, about 20 seconds. Add flour, salt, and butter until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
- Add egg yolk, cream, vanilla, and almond extract and pulse until the mixture forms a ball of dough. Remove from food processor and form into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
- Roll dough out to 1/8 inch thick. Use a 2-inch linzer cookie cutter and cut out cookies, half with center cutouts and half solid. Reroll scrap only once.
- Bake in preheated oven 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, rotating baking sheets halfway through baking. Allow cookies to cool 5 minutes on baking sheets then remove to a wire baking rack and cool completely.
- Spread 1 teaspoon of thickened jam on the bottom of each solid cookie then top with cookies with the cutout. Gently press halves together to adhere. Allow cookies to set.
Can I use little round butter cookies,and put jam between two of them?
Absolutely, Mary!!
I dust a little powdered sugar on top. With or without, it looks fantastic! I’ll try the gingerbread version next time. Thanks for this recipe!