A party is never complete without these delicious Linzer cookies! This traditional Austrian treat is a cause for celebration.
Just like raindrops on roses or cat whiskers, Linzer cookies are one of my favorite things. And how could you not love them?
These classic cookies are buttery, perfectly crispy, and delicately spiced. What’s more, they come with warm memories of baking with family and friends. You can’t get better than that.
So, prepare a batch of these delicious Linzer cookies and get cozy.
Then, put on a movie like The Sound of Music and create some memories.
What are Linzer cookies?
Even if you’ve never heard the name Linzer before, you’ve probably seen Linzer cookies.
Heck, if you’ve ever been to the Midwest during the holidays, you’ve probably eaten them.
Or maybe you’ve been to a Christmas market in Austria or Germany?
I guarantee you’ve seen Linzer cookies there. Because these delightful little treats come from Austria.
They are a shortbread cookie filled with jam and have a fun cutout in the center.
You often see them with a heart or star-shaped cutout. But any shape will do!
They have a nutty, buttery crust, and they are delicious.
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And they have a long history.
In the 1600s, the recipe was discovered in the cookbook of an Austrian countess.
The original recipe was for a tart-shaped pie. It was made with an almond crust and filled with jam.
Then, in the town of Linz, Austria, the cookies as we know them were created.
Bakers took the pie crust and cut it into fun shapes. Half of the dough would also get a central cutout.
After baking, the whole cookies were spread with jam.
Then, a cutout cookie was placed on top. And that’s how the Linzer cookie was born.
In the 1800s, Austrian and German immigrants brought the recipe to the United States.
They are especially popular in Wisconsin, but you can find them everywhere.
Linzer cookies take a bit of time to make. But every second is worth it because they are so delicious!
And if you make them with family, you’re also creating special memories.
And that’s pretty cool too.
Ingredients
- Almond flour – The original recipe used ground almonds, so today we use almond flour.
It imparts a delicate almond flavor and makes the cookie texture incredible. It literally melts in your mouth.
- All-purpose flour – All-purpose flour provides extra structure. So the cookies aren’t too crumbly.
- Spices and extracts – This recipe uses ground cinnamon and cloves to delicately spice the dough. And vanilla extract adds a lovely deep flavor.
- Salt – Salt adds balance to every dessert. These cookies are no exception. Plus, salt enhances all the flavors.
- Egg – Eggs bind the dough, provide structure and leavening, add moisture, and enrich the dough.
- Butter – Because you can’t have a butter cookie without butter. Butter is a necessary fat that adds flavor, moisture, and structure to the dough.
- Sugars – This recipe uses two types of sugar. You use granulated (white) sugar in the dough. Besides sweetness, sugar also contributes to moisture and structure.
And you use powdered sugar for dusting the cookie.
A dusting of powdered sugar looks like fresh snowfall. And it adds an extra festive touch to these cookies.
- Jam – It’s not a Linzer cookie without jam. The original recipe used blackcurrant jam. This recipe uses raspberry jam, but you can use your favorite.
The fruity jam is a bright and fresh contrast to the buttery cookie.
How to Make Linzer Cookies
First Step – Make the dough. Some Linzer recipes use a traditional pie crust. This one doesn’t, so make the dough as instructed.
Second Step – Roll out the dough. Shape the dough into two disks and place them between sheets of parchment paper. Roll each disk until it’s 1/8 inch thick all around.
Third Step – Chill the dough. Place the rolled dough on a baking sheet or cutting board. Put it in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
Fourth Step – Cut your cookies. Use your favorite cookie cutter. Half of the dough should be a whole cookie. The other half of the dough should have a smaller shape cut out in the center.
