These delightful Linzer Cookies come together in about 30 minutes and require no fancy equipment for a quick and easy dessert that your family will love! Switch up the jam flavors to suit your taste or use whatever you have on hand for a fun mishmash of deliciousness. Trust me, this recipe is a fantastic way to get your kids involved in the kitchen, making baking a cherished family tradition in no time!
Ingredient Breakdown
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup ground almonds or pistachios
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Your favorite flavor of jam (e.g., raspberry, apricot, or strawberry)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
How to Make Linzer Cookies
1. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is vital for getting those cookies perfectly golden brown, so don’t skip it!
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Just think about how amazing your kitchen smells right now!
3. Combine the Egg Yolk and Vanilla
Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. You’ll get that lovely creamy, dreamy mixture.
4. Add Flour, Nuts, and Salt
Gradually add the flour, ground almonds (or pistachios), and a pinch of salt. Mix until the dough just comes together, which should take about 2-3 minutes. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl, don’t forget to do that!
5. Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half, wrap it in plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. Trust me; this helps with rolling out later.
6. Roll Out the Dough
Once you’re ready to roll, lightly flour your work surface. Roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thick. The thinner the better, but make sure it’s not paper-thin!
7. Cut Out Shapes
Using cookie cutters, cut out your favorite shapes. Place half on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Create the ‘Window’
For the remaining cookies, cut a smaller hole in the center of each to create your ‘window.’ Up to you hearts, stars, circles get creative!
9. Bake the Cookies
Bake for about 10-12 minutes until the edges are just slightly golden. You want to keep them light in color; this is not a cookie that should be over-baked!
10. Assemble the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool completely. When they’re cooled, spread your favorite jam on the solid bottom cookie and top it with the ‘window’ cookie. Just picture how cute those little windows look!
11. Dust with Powdered Sugar
Before serving, dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Linzer Cookies recipe has become my go-to recipe when I want to whip up something special yet incredibly easy. The best part is that they bring back such sweet memories of baking with my family during the holidays. Everyone gathers around, sharing stories while I take jam-covered cookies out of the oven, and honestly. I’m a real sucker for that warm, comforting feeling in the kitchen! You can get so creative with these, using whatever favorite jams or nuts you have hanging around.
If you loved these Linzer Cookies, be sure to check out my Peanut Butter Snowballs, my Easter Egg Sugar Cookies, or my Homemade M&M Cookie Bars!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes plus the chilling time, making it perfect for busy weeknights and last-minute gatherings. No need for complicated steps or fancy equipment!
Crowd-Pleaser
Everyone loves a tasty cookie, right? These Linzer Cookies are not just beautiful but also bursting with flavor. Your family will absolutely adore these little treats!
Customizable
Use whatever ingredients you have on hand! Switch up the nuts and jam flavors to mix things up. Seriously, raspberry one day, apricot the next, it’s all a delicious adventure! You can even make a nut-free version simply by replacing the ground almonds with ground oats.
Make-Ahead Friendly
These cookies freeze beautifully. Just assemble them without the jam and quick freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer them to an airtight container. Perfect for when you’re craving a homemade treat!
Serving Suggestions
These Linzer Cookies are perfect on their own or paired with a hot beverage like tea or coffee. I sometimes serve them at holiday gatherings alongside a cheese platter it might sound weird, but they balance out all that savory goodness perfectly!
Storage
Keep your finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They may not last that long, though you might find yourself going back for seconds!
Reheating Instructions
If you want to enjoy a warm cookie, pop it in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds. Just enough to take the chill off!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! These Linzer Cookies freeze wonderfully. Just like I mentioned earlier, bake your cookies, let them cool, and then layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw out at room temperature!
So whether you’re gathering for a special occasion or looking for that little sweet pick-me-up on a Tuesday, these Linzer Cookies are a perfect choice! You’ll impress everyone with your baking skills, and trust me they’re super fun to make. Happy baking, friends!
Feel free to let me know if you have any more requests or need further details on any section of this recipe! Follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Linzer Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour, ground almonds (or pistachios), and pinch of salt until the dough just comes together.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thick.
- Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place half on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- For the remaining cookies, cut a smaller hole in the center of each to create a ‘window’.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes until slightly golden around the edges.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely.
- Spread your favorite jam on the solid bottom cookie and top with the ‘window’ cookie.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.