These buttery shortbread Linzer cookies are filled with raspberry jam that peeks through the cutout on top of each cookie. Dusted with powdered sugar, these sandwich cookies make the perfect holiday sweet treat.
Linzer cookies are often made during the holidays but they’re a beautiful cookie to make throughout the year, too. The nut flavored cookie dough is the perfect counterbalance to the sweetness of the filling.
Linzer cookies are always a showstopper on the cookie platter. They also make awesome holiday cookie gifts!
What are Linzer Cookies?
These cookies take inspiration from the Linzer Torte, which was named after the Austrian city of Linz. A Linzer Torte is a pastry dessert with a jam filling that’s covered by a lattice-topped dough. The dough is traditionally almond-based. Linzer cookies are like miniature tortes in that they have a jam filling that’s sandwiched between two shortbread cookies. The top cookie is dusted with powdered sugar and has a cutout that allows the jam filling to peek through.
Linzer Cookie Filling Options
This recipe calls for raspberry jam, which is always a delicious and festive filling that works for Christmas and Valentine’s Day. However, you can fill these awesome cookies with any jam or spread that you like! In addition to raspberry, here are some yummy suggestions:
- Strawberry
- Blackberry
- Apricot
- Peach
- Cherry
- Black Currant
- Lingonberry
- Lemon Curd
- Nutella
- Chocolate
Flavor variations for Linzer cookie dough
Linzer cookie dough is traditionally flavored with ground almonds but you can certainly experiment with other nuts for a different flavor profile. Just grind the nuts in a food processor and add them to the dough. Here are a few to try:
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Pecans
- Macadamia Nuts
- Pumpkin Seeds
You can also make chocolate cookie dough by adding 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough when you add the flour. Be sure and add an extra egg to compensate for the extra volume of dry ingredients from adding the cocoa powder.
Ingredients you’ll need to make these Linzer Cookies
2 ½ cups flour
1 ½ cups confectioners sugar
½ cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
¼ tsp salt
2 cups slivered almonds, finely ground
1 cup raspberry preserves
Additional items that you’ll need
- stand mixer
- cookie cutters: You’ll need 2 cutters for each cookie. Mini cutters should fit inside medium or large cutters to create the stained glass appearance where the preserves will be visible.
- baking sheet
How to make Linzer Cookies
First things first: these cookies do require extra time to make, but they’re so worth it. There will be chilling time for the dough, so you’ll need to factor that in. In fact, these cookies are at their best the day after they’re made since the jam will infuse into the cookies making them a little bit softer. Delicious!
- In a mixing bowl, beat butter and confectioners sugar. Add, in the eggs, vanilla, and salt until combined.
- In a blender, finely grind slivered almonds and add to butter mixture. Add flour and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Divide dough into 2 discs and wrap in plastic. Place in the refrigerator until firm, approximately 4 hours or overnight.
- Roll the dough. Using medium-size and mini size cookie cutters, snowflakes, for example, cut out 2 medium size snowflake cookies. Tip: Transfer cutouts to the baking sheet before cutting out the center and make sure to dip the cutter into flour before pressing into dough. One cookie will be the base for the Linzer sandwich. The other cookie will have the center cutout. Use one mini cutter, snowflakes for example, and cut out 1 center. Repeat this, creating sandwich sets with a variety of cookie cutters.
- Bake the mini cutouts on a separate sheet as they will bake faster.
- Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Set cookies on a wire rack to cool.
- Spread jam/preserves on each cookie base.
- Set all the top cookies on a sheet and dust evenly with confectioner’s sugar. Place tops onto preserve covered bases. These are your Linzer sandwich cookies!
How to store Linzer Cookies
Store your Linzer Cookies in an airtight container with layers of parchment paper between them. Linzer Cookies do not need to be refrigerated. They will keep for up to 3 weeks stored in a cool and dry place.
Are Linzer Cookies freezer friendly?
Baked and assembled Linzer Cookies are not freezer friendly; however, the unbaked raw cookie dough is freezable. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic and then foil. Defrost the dough overnight in the fridge before making the cookies.
This Linzer Cookie recipe will become a holiday tradition in your family. Get the kids in on the action, too – they’ll love helping with the festive cookie cutter cutouts. And don’t forget to bake those cutout sections for a festive little bit of sugary goodness!
Other holiday cookie recipes:
- Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookie Cups
- Brownie Crinkle Bites
- Christmas Chocolate Chip Sprinkles Butter Cookies
- Maple Snickerdoodles
- Dark Chocolate Pistachio Smoked Sea Salt Cookies
Nettie is a wife and mother who is passionate about cooking and baking. With 5 children, Nettie insists that all meals, snacks, and desserts come together quickly! You will find a wide variety of easy yet scrumptious recipes on her very popular website Moore or Less Cooking
Follow me on FACEBOOK and PINTEREST
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #mooreorlesscooking so I can see all the wonderful recipes that YOU make from this site!
Did You Make This Recipe?
I would love for you to leave a rating and a comment below! How’d you do?!
Linzer Cookies
These buttery shortbread Linzer cookies are filled with raspberry jam that peeks through the cutout on top of each cookie. Dusted with powdered sugar, these sandwich cookies make the perfect holiday sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ cups confectioners sugar
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 cups slivered almonds, finely ground
- 1 cup raspberry preserves
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat butter and confectioners sugar. Add, eggs, vanilla, and salt until combined.
- In a blender, finely grind slivered almonds and add to butter mixture. • Add flour and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Divide dough into 2 discs and wrap in plastic. Place in refrigerator until firm, approximately 4 hours or overnight.
- Roll dough. Using medium-size and mini size cookie cutters, snowflakes for example. Cut out 2 medium size snowflake cookies. Tip: Transfer cutouts to the baking sheet before cutting out the center and make sure to dip the cutter into flour before pressing into dough. One cookie will be the base for the Linzer sandwich. The other cookie will have the center cutout. Use one mini cutter, snowflakes for example, and cut out 1 center. Repeat this, creating sandwich sets with a variety of cookie cutters.
- Bake the mini cutouts on a separate sheet as they will bake faster. • Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Set cookies on a wire rack to cool. • Spread preserves on each cookie base.
- Set all the top cookies on a sheet and dust evenly with confectioner’s sugar. Place tops onto preserve covered bases. These are your Linzer sandwich cookies.
- Store in a covered container for up to a week. If they last that long!
Notes
Additional items:
- stand mixer
- cookie cutters: You’ll need 2 cutters for each cookie. Mini cutters should fit inside medium or large cutters to create the stained glass appearance where the preserves will be visible.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Silicone Rolling Pin Non Stick Surface Wooden Handle 1.97X15.15 (Blue) - Cuisinart FP-8GMP1 Elemental 8-Cup Food Processor, Gunmetal
- Blender
- Baking Sheet
- Spatula
- Baking Rack & Cooling Rack
- Mixing Bowls
- Ifuerte 10-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
- Tiptree Sweet Tip Raspberry Preserve, 12 Ounce Jar
- Nature's Eats Blanched Slivered Almonds, 10 Ounce
- McCormick Sea Salt Grinder
- Rodelle Gourmet Pure Vanilla Extract, 8 Oz
- 365 Everyday Value, Unsalted Butter, 16 oz
- Domino Powdered Sugar, 32 Oz
- 365 Everyday Value, All-Purpose Flour, 5 lb
- KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
- R&M International Christmas Linzer Cookie Cutters, Angel, Candy Cane, Bethlehem Star, Bell, Christmas Tree, Ornament, 6-Piece Set
- Snowflake Cookie Cutters Metal Cake Cutters for Fondant Decorating Fruit Cutter Sandwich Cutter Kids Biscuit Cutter and Bread Cutter 2 Set 14 PCS
Nutrition Information
Yield
30 cookiesServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 159Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 21mgSodium 52mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 1gSugar 11gProtein 3g
