These Linzer Cookies are a beloved holiday classic with an almond-flavored, buttery dough that’s soft and delicate. Sandwiched with a layer of sweet-tart raspberry jam, each bite offers a perfect balance of flavor and texture. The cookies are dusted with powdered sugar, giving them a festive and elegant look. With a slightly nutty flavor from almond flour, they have a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs beautifully with the fruity jam filling. Traditionally served at Christmas, these Linzer Cookies are perfect for cookie platters, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a warm drink by the fire.
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Chill Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Bakery, Dessert
Cuisine Austrian
Servings 20
Calories 120 kcal
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup almond flour or finely ground almonds
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup raspberry jam or any preferred jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix until fully combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll.
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about ⅛-inch thickness. Use a round or fluted cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out the centers of half of the cookies (these will be the tops). Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Assemble the Cookies: Spread a small amount of raspberry jam on the flat side of each whole cookie. Place a cookie with a cut-out center on top to create a sandwich. Dust the tops with powdered sugar for a festive finish.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The flavors meld beautifully after a day or two.
- Make Ahead: The dough can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to a month.
- Jam Variety: While raspberry jam is traditional, you can experiment with other jams like strawberry, apricot, or blackcurrant for different flavor combinations.
These Linzer Cookies are a beautiful addition to any holiday dessert spread and bring a delightful touch of Austria to your Christmas celebrations. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring with loved ones, they’re a cookie that truly shines during the festive season.Keyword almond cookies, Austrian cookies, Christmas Cookies, holiday cookies, jam-filled cookies, Linzer cookies, raspberry cookies