Name: Linzer Cookies
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 1 h 11 min
Cuisine: Austrian/German
Ingredients: Almonds or Pistachios; Brown Sugar; All-Purpose Flour; Baking Powder; Ground Cinnamon; Salt; Unsalted Butter; Granulated Sugar; Egg; Pure Vanilla Extract; Jam or Preserves; Confectioners’ Sugar

Jump to Recipe · Leave a Review

The sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies wafts through the air, warm and inviting, reminding you of cozy days spent in the kitchen. The golden-brown edges lightly sparkle with a dusting of powdered sugar, while the rich, nutty flavor of ground almonds—or perhaps pistachios—fills each tender bite. These tender, buttery rounds, sandwiched with vibrant jam, have a timeless allure that beckons for an afternoon treat or festive gathering. As the holidays draw near, making How to Make Linzer Cookies feels like a hug from the oven, bringing warmth and joy to everyone who tastes them.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make How to Make Linzer Cookies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Linzer Cookies

Growing up, my family had a tradition of cookies during the holiday season, and Linzer cookies always held a special place on our tray. Preparing them felt like a magical ritual that transcended generations. The excitement of rolling the dough, cutting the shapes, and transforming them into sweet sandwich cookies was a cherished experience that lingers in my heart. And now, I invite you to share in this delightful experience. Have fun in the kitchen and indulge in the rewarding simplicity of making these delicious treats!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Prepping these delightful cookies takes just an hour, plus chilling time!
Irresistible Flavor: The blend of nutty and sweet jam creates a perfect balance that dances on your palate.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Their beautiful designs and powdered sugar dusting make them perfect for sharing.
Flexible Serving: Ideal for holiday gatherings, as an afternoon snack, or even breakfast with coffee.
Diet-Friendly Options: Substitute almonds or pistachios for nut-free alternatives, and explore jam variations.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Almonds or Pistachios: For a nutty base full of flavor and texture. These can be fine ground for a smoother dough or coarsely ground for added crunch.
Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of caramel flavor to the dough. You can swap with coconut sugar for a refined sugar alternative.
All-Purpose Flour: Essential for structure. Ensure it’s spooned and leveled for accuracy.
Baking Powder: This helps the cookies rise slightly, creating that tender texture.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice. Feel free to substitute with nutmeg for a different twist.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming, contributing to the cookie’s richness and tenderness.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the dough’s structure when creamed with butter.
Egg: A binder that helps combine the ingredients and enriches the flavor.
Pure Vanilla Extract: For depth of flavor—always choose pure extract for the best taste.
Jam or Preserves: Raspberry or apricot are classic choices, but feel free to explore your favorites!
Confectioners’ Sugar: This is for dusting the finished cookies, adding a sweet finishing touch.

How to Make How to Make Linzer Cookies

Prepare Nuts: Begin by placing your chosen nuts and brown sugar in a food processor. Pulse them until you achieve a very fine crumb—almost like flour. This step is crucial as it allows the nuts to blend seamlessly into the dough, giving it that signature nutty flavor that makes Linzer cookies so special.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until well-mixed. This ensures that the leavening is evenly distributed throughout the dough, which is key for achieving perfect, fluffy cookies. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Whip this mixture until it’s creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, beating on high until well combined—scraping down the bowl as needed. This step is vital, as it creates the base for your cookies, ensuring they’re rich and flavorful.

Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture and the ground nut mixture to the butter-sugar combination. Mix everything on low speed until well incorporated. Initially, this may look crumbly, but with continued mixing, it will coalesce into a cohesive dough, so don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect immediately.

Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into discs, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, though you could leave them for up to 4 days. This chilling period allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up, making it much easier to roll out.

Prep to Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, which help prevent sticking and ensure even baking. If your dough has been in the fridge for longer than 3 hours, set it out for about 20 minutes to soften slightly before rolling.

Roll and Cut: On a generously floured surface (don’t be shy here!), roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round or fluted cookie cutter, cut circles from the dough. Gather and re-roll any scraps until you’re left with about 64 circles total. Repeat this process with the second disc of dough. You’ll have plenty for cookie sandwiches!

Create the “Donut Cookies”: Using a 1-inch round cutter, create holes in the center of half of the cookie circles (32 circles will have holes, which we’ll call “donut cookies”). This adds a lovely decorative touch and creates a spot for that delicious jam to peek through.

Bake Cookies: Arrange the solid circles and donut cookies on separate baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches between them. Bake the whole circles for 11 minutes until they turn lightly golden at the edges, while the donut cookies will need about 10 minutes. Rotate the trays halfway through for even baking. Once baked, cool the cookies on the sheet for about 5 minutes.

Dust and Assemble: Using a fine sieve or sifter, dust confectioners’ sugar over the donut cookies to create a beautiful, snowy finish. Then, take each whole cookie and spread about 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen jam on the bottom. Carefully top with a donut cookie, pressing gently to form a cute sandwich. These will be so delightful to bite into!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your delicious Linzer cookies fresh, store them tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you wish to keep them longer, pop them in the refrigerator for up to a week. For even longer storage, freeze the assembled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature. Keep in mind that the texture may change slightly after freezing, so a quick 5-minute warm-up in the oven at 300°F could refresh that delightful tenderness.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid over-processing the nuts; you want a fine crumb, not nut butter.
Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature for easier blending.
If the dough is too firm to roll, let it sit out for a few minutes before trying again.
Use powdered sugar to dust only before serving; this keeps it looking fresh!
Experiment with different jams—each brings a new flavor profile to explore.
Prepare the dough in advance—great for holiday baking marathons!

These Linzer cookies not only taste fantastic but also carry the essence of every delightful kitchen moment shared. Their nutty goodness paired with sweet, fruity jam makes for an enjoyable cookie that’s just as perfect alongside a cup of tea as it is on a festive dessert tray. So roll up those sleeves and get ready for sweet, nutty nostalgia!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different nuts?

Absolutely! While traditional Linzer cookies often use almonds or pistachios, you can experiment with hazelnuts or walnuts. Just ensure they are finely ground for a smooth dough. Each nut will impart a unique flavor to your cookies, so feel free to get creative!

What type of jam should I use?

You can use any jam or preserves you prefer! Raspberry and apricot are classic choices, but strawberry, cherry, or even a citrus marmalade can add a refreshing twist. Just make sure it’s a spreadable consistency for easy assembling.

How do I prevent the dough from sticking?

Flour is your best friend here! Generously flour your work surface, rolling pin, and hands as you roll out the dough to prevent sticking. If the dough does stick, refrigerate it for a bit longer so that it firms up.

Can I make the dough in advance?

Definitely! You can prepare the dough up to 4 days in advance. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. If you prefer longer storage, freeze the unbaked dough in a sealed bag for up to 3 months, allowing for convenient cookie-making whenever the craving strikes!