Almond Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are buttery almond shortbread cookies that have a raspberry jam filling and dusted with powdered sugar.

Cookie season is here! Linzer cookies are the prefect way to kick off the baking season. They are gorgeous, look festive and are so tasty! Who wouldn’t want to eat a buttery, crispy, yet soft cookie filled with jam. This delicious cookie will become everyone’s favorite.

What are Linzer Cookies?

These Austrian cookies come from a Linzertorte which is an almond tart filled with black currant preserves. Linzer cookies use similar ingredients but instead of a tart the dough is cut into cookies. The cookies have small cutout in the center to expose the jam. Linzer cookies are filled with raspberry jam. But any kind preserves will work. The cookies are buttery, nutty and crispy. The jam softens the cookie to give you that melt in your mouth cookie. Then the cookie is sprinkled with powdered sugar.

How to make Linzer cookies

In a medium bowl whisk flour, almond flour and baking powder. Set aside.

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Transfer the dough to plastic wrap, shape into a disk, wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Divide the dough into two and roll one half out into ¼ inch thickness. Cut out into 2 inch circles using a cookie cutter. (You can also cut them into the shape you like) Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll out the other half of the dough and cut into circles. Take a smaller circle and cut out the centers. (You can also use small cutout shapes to cut out the centers.) Transfer to a cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-13 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden brown around the edges. Cool completely before filling with jam.

A few tips

• The dough should be very easy to roll. If the dough starts sticking add more flour. You can also place plastic wrap or parchment paper on the dough to help. If the dough is hard to roll, let the dough sit at room temp. for 5-10 minutes to soften.
• Dust the cookie with powdered sugar before sandwiching the cookies. Otherwise the center of the jam will be covered in powdered sugar.

I prefer filling these cookies with raspberry jam. Raspberry jam and almond cookies just work so perfectly together! However, these cookies can be filled with jam of your choice.

Can I substitute almond flour

Linzer cookies use a combination of almond flour and all purpose flour. Almond flour gives the cookie that delicious nutty flavor. So I would not recommend substituting almond flour for all purpose flour. To make Linzer cookies quick and simple I use store bought almond flour. However, you can make your own almond flour.

• To make almond flour: Grind blanched almonds in a food processor until they are ground evenly. Do not over process as the mixture can turn into almond butter.

These cookies can also be turned into other special occasions! Just change the cut out shape of the cookie centers or the shape of the cookie.

Other cookies you may like:

• Shortbread sandwich cookies with Dulce de Leche
• Crumbly Honey Cookies Sandwich

If you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Your comments and rating will help other readers as well. I would also love to see your creation. Share your photo by tagging tasty_treat_pantry on Instagram.

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