Description
Delight in these classic Linzer Cookies featuring a tender almond-flavored dough and a sweet cherry jam center. Crispy yet buttery sandwich cookies dusted with powdered sugar create the perfect balance of texture and flavor for any festive occasion or everyday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226g, room temperature, 2 sticks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1 large egg (50g, room temperature)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (4g)
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (300g, spooned and leveled)
- ½ cup almond flour (48g)
- 1 tsp baking powder (4g)
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Toppings & Filling
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (28g) for dusting
- ½ cup cherry jam (170g) for filling
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, and kosher salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated, scraping the bowl sides as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough disk to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out 36 cookie shapes (circles, stars, trees, or your choice) and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cut Centers: For half the cookies, use a 1-inch cookie cutter of the same shape to cut out the centers, creating a window to showcase the jam filling.
- Chill Cookies: Place the cut cookies on the baking sheet into the freezer or refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes; this helps maintain their shape when baking.
- Preheat Oven: While the cookies chill, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn just golden brown. Let them cool completely on the trays.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once cooled, generously dust the top cookies (those with the cut-out centers) with powdered sugar for a classic Linzer appearance.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread about 1 tablespoon of cherry jam on each whole cookie, then carefully top with a powdered sugar-dusted cookie to create the sandwich.
Notes
- Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature for smooth creaming and dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough and cookies is critical to maintain their shape and prevent spreading during baking.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and aid even baking.
- Feel free to use other fruit jams like raspberry or apricot for variation.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
