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    Home » All Recipes » Desserts » Linzer Cookies

    Linzer Cookies

    Published on Dec 2, 2022 by Tara · Updated on Dec 5, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Linzer cookies are sandwich-style shortbread cookies flavored with almond, filled with jam, and dusted with confectioner's sugar.  The dough is simple to work with and the cutout shapes and jam flavor can be customized to suit any occasion or taste. These are perfect for holidays but so good you may just make them all year round!

    Overhead shot of linzer cookies with powdered sugar on grey baking sheet.

    Linzer cookies, also known as Linzer tarts, or raspberry tartlettes, are a cookie I've been making for many years now.

    I usually make them each year for Christmas along with chocolate-dipped almond biscotti, snowball cookies, and a whole host of others.  

    The almond-flavored dough is super easy to work with and each time I make them I wonder why I don't do so more often!

    I usually use raspberry jam to fill the sandwiches but you can use any flavor you'd like! 

    Ingredients shown: flour, butter, almond extract, salt, eggs, baking powder, sugar, powdered sugar, and raspberry jam.

    How to make it

    Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

    1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 3 cups (360g) of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder, mix until incorporated, and set aside.

    Linzer cookies recipe process shot collage group number one.

    1. In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream 1 cup (226g) of room temperature butter and 1 cup (200g) of granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add 2 large room-temperature eggs, 1 teaspoon of almond extract, and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed.
    2. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and continue beating until a dough is formed.

    Recipe process shot collage group number two.

    1. Remove the dough and split it in half, patting each half down to form two discs.  Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
    2. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured work surface, roll out one disc at a time to ⅛" thick.  Using a round or other shaped cookie cutter, begin to cut out the cookies.  For each Linzer cookie, you'll need to cut 2 sides of the same shape.  Make a hole in one side.  The side with the whole will be sandwiched on top of the other side to create a whole Linzer cookie.

    Recipe process shot collage group number three.

    1. Place the cutouts on the baking sheets and bake for 7-9 minutes.  Once done, move to a cooling rack to allow to cool completely.  Repeat the process for the remaining dough, rerolling the scraps until there is no dough left.
    2. Once the cookie sides have cooled, spread the jam on top of the uncut sides, and place the side with the cut-outs on top to create cookie sandwiches. 

    Recipe process shot collage group number four.

    1. Dust the sandwich Linzer cookies with confectioner's sugar and serve, or store in an airtight container until you're ready to serve.  Enjoy!

    Closeup shot of heart shaped linzer cookie.

    Top tips for Linzer cookies

    • Room temperature ingredients. Since Linzer cookies require creaming the butter and sugar, it's best to make sure the butter is at room temperature.  Having your eggs at room temperature as well will help the ingredients combine to form a uniform texture throughout the dough.
    • Cutout shapes. Some shapes will bake more quickly than others.  For example, I found that the snowflake-shaped cookies tend to brown a little faster than the circle or heart-shaped cookies. 
    • Almond extract. If you are allergic to nuts or prefer to not use almond extract, you can definitely substitute it with vanilla extract.  
    • The jam.  Classic Linzer cookies are usually filled with raspberry jam, however, I've used many others and usually use 3 different types of jam so there's a variety of different flavors for people to choose from.  Some of my favorites are apricot, blueberry, and apple jam.
    • Texture.  When you first remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool, they will likely be on the crispier side.  Once the cookies are sandwiched together with the jam and dusted with the powdered sugar they will soften up.  

    Overhead shot of linzer cookies with powdered sugar sifter on grey baking sheet.

    More of our favorite cookies

    Here are a few more of our favorite cookie recipes.  We hope you love them as much as we do!

    • Pignoli cookies - 4 ingredient, soft and chewy cookie that's loaded with pignoli nuts.
    • Reginelle cookies - crunchy biscuit-like cookies loaded with sesame seeds and flavored with a hint of lemon zest.
    • Lemon ricotta cookies - airy lemon-flavored cookies topped with a creamy glaze and nonpareils.

    If you’ve enjoyed this Linzer cookie recipe or any recipe on this site, give it a 5-star rating and tell us about it in the comments below.

    We strive to satisfy a number of learning styles.  If you are someone who prefers to learn by watching, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.

    Linzer cookies featured image.

    Linzer Cookies

    5 from 5 votes
    Prep Time: 45 mins
    Resting time: 1 hr 10 mins
    Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins
    Servings: 44 sandwich cookies
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: James

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour plus more for bench flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter softened at room temperature
    • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon almond extract
    • 1 ½ cups (345g) raspberry jam
    • ½ cup (65g) confectioner's sugar may not need it all

    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder and set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy on medium speed.
    • Add the eggs and almond extract and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated, scraping down the sides if needed.
    • Reduce speed to low and add the flour mixture, beating until incorporated and a dough is formed.
    • Split the dough in half and pat down to form two discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Remove the dough discs from the refrigerator and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Using a rolling pin, roll out one section at a time to ⅛" inch thick. Using a round or shaped cookie cutter, begin to cut out cookies. For each whole cookie you cut, you will need to cut one cookie with a hole in the center. Place the cut cookies onto the baking sheet. Use any leftover scraps to re-roll and repeat the process.
    • Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Once done, move to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before spreading the preserves onto each cookie, topping with a center-cut cookie to create a sandwich, and dusting the cookies with confectioner's sugar.

    Notes

    • Any flavor jam can be used in place of raspberry.
    • Additional jam/preserves can be spooned into the centers if desired.
    • The leftover tiny cut-outs can be re-rolled to create more larger cookies, or baked as tiny cookies.  
    • Linzer cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. The cookies will soften as they sit from the jam and powdered sugar.
    • This recipe was written for a conventional oven.  For convection ovens, reduce the temperature by 25 degrees and begin checking for doneness at the 75% mark.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.5g | Protein: 1.2g | Fat: 4.3g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 10.8g | Calcium: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe? Mention @sipandfeast or tag #sipandfeast
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rosalina

      December 02, 2022 at 3:04 pm

      5 stars
      One of my families favorite cookies. Will definitely be trying your recipe, since all of your recipes haven't let me down yet 🙂

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 03, 2022 at 8:56 am

        Hi Rosalina, so happy to hear you're enjoying the recipes and hope you enjoy this one as well!

        Reply
    2. Miriam

      December 02, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious can't wait to make these my favorite cookie.

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 03, 2022 at 8:57 am

        Thanks for the comment, Miriam. Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Andrea

      December 03, 2022 at 10:17 am

      Love watching you make all the great food. Always looks so easy. Have tried some of the recipes. Always delicious.

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 04, 2022 at 9:23 am

        Thanks for the comment, Andrea! I'm so happy you're enjoying the recipes.

        Reply
    4. Sofie

      December 14, 2022 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      Stumbled upon this recipe and made these for my German mother. They were a hit! Curious where the author got the heart cookie cutters - I’ve searched and can’t find them online.

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 15, 2022 at 11:43 am

        Hi Sofie, Thanks for the comment and so happy you enjoyed these! We bought the heart cookie cutters from Amazon. Just search for linzer cookie cutters heart and you'll find them.

        Reply
    5. Barbara

      December 19, 2022 at 6:16 am

      Thank you for the recipe I am definitely going to try to make those cookies this
      Year thank you Happy Holidays to you and yours🎅🏻🎄

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 19, 2022 at 8:30 am

        Hi Barbara, thanks for the comment and hope you enjoy!

        Reply
      • Gary

        December 21, 2022 at 4:31 pm

        5 stars
        As with all of your recipes these are outstanding! Thank you.

        Reply
        • Jim

          December 22, 2022 at 10:30 am

          Thanks for the comment, Gary. So happy you liked them!

          Reply
    6. sandy chester

      December 20, 2022 at 5:55 pm

      5 stars
      Just finished my first batch. They are beautiful and taste wonderful. Getting ready for Christmas. Thank you

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 21, 2022 at 12:37 pm

        Hi Sandy, I'm so happy you enjoyed the linzer cookies! Have a wonderful Christmas!

        Reply

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    About Jim

    Welcome! I'm Jim and I'm here to help you make awesome Italian food that you would normally enjoy at some of your favorite New York style Italian restaurants. While my recipes are typically Italian, you'll find some other great ones as well. Take a look around, and get cooking!

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