Linzer Cookies
I not so recently bought a set of Linzer cookie cutters and, much like my madeleine pan, let them sit in a kitchen drawer untouched for far too long. Now, I have something else to cross off my list!
I took the easy approach to these and used the recipe that came with the cookie cutters. It is a very simple recipe with only a handful of ingredients. While it doesn’t make that many cookies, it could easily be scaled to make more.
Upon further research, I found that these cookies are traditionally made with ground nuts in the dough. Given my love of nuts, I am a bit disappointed that I didn’t go that route. Of course, that just gives me something to look forward to the next time I dig out those cookie cutters!
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Linzer Cookies
Yield: 10-12 sandwich cookies
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange extract*
- 2 cups sifted cake flour
- raspberry or apricot jam**
- confectioners’ sugar for dusting, if desired
Directions:
- Beat butter, sugar, and orange extract. Gradually add flour and mix well. Form dough into a rectangle. Wrap dough and chill at least 2 hours.
- On baking sheet, roll out half of the dough 1/4-inch thick. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cut out dough for the bottoms of the cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Roll out the other half of the dough on a baking sheet. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Cut out dough for the tops of the cookies, using a Linzer cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- When cookies have cooled, dust tops with confectioners’ sugar. Spread about 2 teaspoons of jam on each cookie bottom. Place tops on top of jam.
Notes:
*Substitute lemon extract, vanilla extract, or most any flavoring.
**I like raspberry, but use whatever flavor you like!
What a sweet coincidence! I bought a linzer cookie cutter not long ago and have just made a batch of linzer cookies for Christmas. (Although mine is filled with nutella. :D) This is the second recipe we have in common this Christmas, other than the rugelach!!
I really enjoy reading your Christmas cookies posts.
This is one of those things that I fear will be a dreaded “uni-tasker”. I mean, there are many times where you come across a good cookie recipe and you buy the pan spend an hour putting it all together and say “Yes, it’s good, but I’m just not feeling the hour of labor…”
How did you feel about the pay-off? Worth the uni-tasking pan?
I cannot even imagine how you manage to bake so many goodies. Hats off to yr patience, Jen.
I got a set years ago and used it once then someone bought me a Fall themed one this past October and you reminded me to take it out. Hazelnuts are great for Linzer cookies and torte.
Jen, linzer cookies are great with ground nuts so you’ll have to make sure you take those cutters out again. I normally make them with almonds but Helene’s idea of hazelnuts is great too. These cookies look like a dream!
These are such a beautiful cookie. Perfect for a sophisticated gift!
Mandy, great minds bake alike! I must check out your cookies with Nutella… Mmmmm……
Lewis, Alton Brown has certainly taught me to be wary of unitaskers. However, in baking, I think you have to concede a few. I didn’t have any reservations about these cookie cutters. Well worth it.
Suganya, I have the time this month because I’m barely working. I think I’m working a total of 24 hours all month. That leaves all kinds of time for baking!
Tartelette, I don’t need much encouragement to use hazelnuts. I’ll keep that in mind for next time.
Meeta, thanks! I am trying not to be devastated that I didn’t put nuts in these. I know they’d be great.
Thanks, Patricia! They’re great for gifts, plus they look wonderful on a cookie tray.
Here is my favorite Linzer tart recipe, they are fantastic, with nuts (I use hazelnuts)!
2 3/4 cup SIFTED all purpose flour (sift before measuring)
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar (keep a little of the sugar for grinding up almonds
1 egg
3/4 cup almonds, ground or use hazelnuts
1 jar (12 oz) raspberry preserve
Confectioner’s sugar
1. Sift flour and baking powder onto wax paper
2. Beat butter, cream cheese, sugar and egg in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add flour mixture, blending thoroughly. Stir in ground almonds or hazelnuts. Turn dough onto 2 plastic wraps (it will be quite sticky). Shape into an oval, roll it out to about 1 inch to 1/2 inch thickness and chill several hours or overnight. (When grounding almonds, add in some of the sugar from recipe to prevent nuts from going into an oily paste)
4. Roll dough 1/2 at a time, out into 1/4 inch thickness (don’t make them too thin) onto a lightly floured pastry board with floured rolling pin. Cut out, with 2 inch round cookie cutter, as many circles from the dough as you can. Place circles onto ungreased cookie sheet. Refrigerate scraps for second rolling.
5. Repeat with other half of dough, cutting out equal number of circles as first batch. place on cookie sheet. With 1/2 hinch cookie cutter or thimble, cut out center of each circle. Use all scraps of dough for second rolling, cutting out EQUAL number of solid and cut-out circles.
6. Bake in 350 oven for 8 minutes or until edge of cookies are lightly browned. Remove cookie sheet from oven and let sit for one minute, then place on wire racks.
Cool well. Sprinkle top cookies with confectioners sugar (do this before putting it on the bottom half of cookie).
7. If jam is very thick, then heat raspberry preserves in a small saucepan until slightly loosened, easier to spread the jam this way (not really necessary). Spread each of the solid cookies (put jam on underside of bottom of cookie) completely, to edge with a thin layer of preserves. Top each with a cutout cookie. Press together gently to make a sandwich. Place on wire rack. Let preserves set lightly. Store between wax paper-lined layers in an airtight tin. Can put in fridge for awhile till help jelly set.
Good grief…I’m adding more requests to my Christmas list! Loved the photo, too!
jjob80, thanks so much for the recipe! I’ll definitely be making these again WITH nuts!
Thanks, JEP. If you’re like me, you can always find a way to justify more kitchen gear.
My linzer cookie set just arrived in the mail yesterday and these are on my to-do list for tomorrow! I cannot quite figure out how to use that little set but I’m sure I’ll manage when I get down to it. These are so pretty, can’t wait to try! The recipe I’ve picked out does contain nuts (almonds). We’ll see how it goes.
-S
Sabra, you’ll figure it out. Those cutters aren’t as complicated as they look.
I have had a set of these cookie cutters in my pantry, unused, for a year now. You have inspired me 🙂
Oh – and do you have the recipe? Funny thing is that the reason I haven’t made them is because I can’t find any non-nut recipes…I’ll have to check the box mine came in.
Kristen, check the very top of the post. There’s a link to the recipe there. I hope you like them!
I made these for the first time yesterday and they were great. I immediately went to Kitchen Kapers and bought additional cutters-Christmas and Valentines. Can’t wait to try them again.
BTW, you have to keep a close eye on them cause they brown pretty quickly!