If you’re on the hunt for a timeless delight that feels like a warm hug from your grandma’s kitchen, then this Classic Linzer Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These charming sandwich cookies, with their delicate nutty shortbread and luscious jam centers, are irresistibly tender and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or simply craving a sweet treat that feels both elegant and homey, this recipe delivers a cozy, crispy, and mildly spiced bite every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a few special touches, this Classic Linzer Cookies Recipe comes together easily yet beautifully. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the cookies’ signature tender texture, fragrant aroma, and that lovely balance of sweet and nutty flavors.
- Almonds or pistachios (2/3 cup, 65g): Ground finely, they add a subtle crunch and rich, toasty depth to the dough.
- Light or dark brown sugar (1/3 cup, 67g): Provides moisture and a hint of caramel flavor that deepens the cookie’s sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (2 and 1/2 cups, 313g): The foundation of the dough, giving structure and that perfect shortbread crumb.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Just enough to give a light rise for tenderness without losing that classic Linzer texture.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses subtle warmth and spice, evoking cozy feelings in every bite.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all those wonderful flavors.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, 226g), softened: The star of the dough, delivers richness and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Granulated sugar (1/3 cup, 67g): Adds brightness and helps the cookies achieve a delicate crispness.
- Large egg (1), room temperature: Binds ingredients and contributes to tenderness and richness.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 and 1/2 teaspoons): Lifts the flavors and adds a sweet, aromatic note.
- Jam or preserves (1/2 cup, about 150g): Raspberry or apricot are favorites, providing vibrant color and a burst of fruity sweetness that’s iconic to Linzer cookies.
- Confectioners’ sugar (2 tablespoons): For dusting, it adds an elegant snowy finish and a touch of extra sweetness.
How to Make Classic Linzer Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Nutty Base
Begin by pulsing the almonds or pistachios together with brown sugar in a food processor until you achieve a very fine crumb. This mixture is the secret behind the cookie’s tender, slightly chewy texture and that wonderful nutty character that makes these Linzer cookies unique.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. This blend provides the subtle flavor and structure that will support the buttery dough without overpowering the jam filling.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes completely smooth and creamy—about 3 minutes. This creaming step is crucial because it traps air, making the cookies light and tender. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract and beat at high speed for another minute until well combined.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
On low speed, add the flour mixture and the ground nut mixture to the wet ingredients. It will start crumbly but give it a couple minutes to come together into a cohesive dough. This slow incorporation avoids overworking the dough, ensuring your cookies remain buttery and tender once baked.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disc, and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours up to 4 days. This chilling is key to firming the dough so it rolls out beautifully without sticking or cracking.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. If the dough has been refrigerated for longer than three hours, let it soften slightly at room temperature for about 20 minutes to make rolling easier.
Step 7: Roll and Cut the Dough
Generously flour your work surface, rolling pin, and hands. Roll the first disc out to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch round or fluted cookie cutter to cut out circles. Re-roll scraps gently and continue cutting until all the dough is used. Repeat with the second disc, aiming for about 64 circles in total.
Step 8: Cut the Centers
Use a smaller 1-inch cutter to cut holes in the centers of 32 cookies. These become the signature “donut cookies” and reveal the jam once the cookies are sandwiched together.
Step 9: Arrange and Bake
Place the whole cookies and the donut cookies on separate baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake the full cookies for about 11 minutes and the donut cookies for around 10 minutes, rotating halfway through. This timing difference ensures they bake evenly to a golden perfection.
Step 10: Cool and Decorate
After baking, cool the cookies on the sheets for 5 minutes. Dust the donut cookies with confectioners’ sugar using a sieve, then transfer all cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before assembly.
Step 11: Assemble Your Linzer Cookies
Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite jam on the bottom of each whole cookie. Top carefully with a donut cookie and press gently to form a sandwich. This final step brings together the buttery, nutty cookie and the bright jam for a bite that’s utterly addictive.
How to Serve Classic Linzer Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Ready to impress? A light dusting of confectioners’ sugar over the assembled cookies adds an irresistible snowy look that feels festive and inviting. For a fun twist, try sprinkling finely chopped nuts around the edges or a tiny drizzle of melted chocolate to elevate presentation.
Side Dishes
Classic Linzer Cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea, freshly brewed coffee, or a chilled glass of milk. They’re also a charming companion to lighter desserts like fruit salad or vanilla ice cream, balancing richness with bright freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or parties, arrange the Linzer cookie sandwiches stacked on a pretty platter nestled among sprigs of fresh rosemary or edible flowers. You can also package them in festive tins layered with parchment paper for a homemade gift that looks as good as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cookies tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their tender crumb and jam freshness. Alternatively, refrigeration extends their life up to one week while keeping the jam from softening too much.
Freezing
You can freeze unassembled cookies (both the whole rounds and donut cutouts) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before assembly to preserve texture and taste at peak quality.
Reheating
Linzer cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer them slightly warm, gently heat assembled cookies in a low oven (about 275°F/135°C) for 5 minutes, but be careful not to melt the jam too much or soften the sugar dusting.
FAQs
Can I substitute nuts in the Classic Linzer Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While almonds are traditional, you can swap in pistachios or hazelnuts for a fun variation. Just make sure to finely grind them to keep the cookie texture just right.
What types of jam work best for Linzer cookies?
Raspberry and apricot jams are favorites because their tartness balances the sweet dough wonderfully. However, feel free to use strawberry, blackberry, or even marmalade depending on your taste.
How long should I chill the dough before baking?
Chilling for at least 3 hours is essential to firm the dough for easy rolling and clean cutting, but it can be refrigerated up to 4 days without issues, which is perfect for prepping ahead.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend instead of all-purpose flour, you can adapt the recipe. Texture might vary slightly, but the flavors will still shine beautifully.
Why do the donut cookies bake faster than the whole cookies?
The smaller surface area and the hole in the center cause them to bake slightly quicker. Baking each separately with adjusted times ensures both sets come out perfectly tender and golden.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you make this Classic Linzer Cookies Recipe, these little jewel-like sandwiches will become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. Their unforgettable flavor and charming appearance bring joy to every gathering and assure smiles with every bite. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to the magic of homemade Linzer cookies. You’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Classic Linzer Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 32 sandwich cookies (about 64 cookie pieces)
Description
Classic Linzer Cookies are delicate, buttery sandwich cookies filled with sweet jam and dusted with powdered sugar. Made with ground nuts, cinnamon, and vanilla, these cookies boast a tender crumb and a beautiful presentation featuring cut-out tops showcasing the vibrant jam filling. Perfect for holiday baking or special occasions, they require chilling the dough and baking until lightly golden.
Ingredients
Nut Mixture
- 2/3 cup (65g) almonds or pistachios*
- 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for rolling out
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For Assembly and Finishing
- 1/2 cup (about 150g) jam or preserves, such as raspberry or apricot
- 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Nut Mixture: Place the almonds or pistachios and brown sugar in a food processor and pulse until it forms a very fine crumb. Set this mixture aside to be added later.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue beating until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Then add the large egg and vanilla extract, and beat again on high speed until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed well.
- Incorporate Dry and Nut Mixture: Add the whisked flour mixture and the ground nut mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together. It may look crumbly at first but will start to form a cohesive dough after a couple of minutes.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough evenly into two portions. Flatten each into a disc shape, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 4 days to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for baking.
- Roll Out Dough and Cut Cookies: Lightly flour your work surface, rolling pin, and hands. Take one disc of chilled dough and roll it out to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round or fluted cookie cutter, cut as many circles as possible from the dough. Gather the scraps, reroll, and continue cutting until all dough is used. Repeat with the second disc. Aim for about 64 circles in total.
- Create Donut Cookies: Use a smaller 1-inch round or fluted cutter to cut out a center hole from half of the circles (32 pieces). These are the “donut cookies” that will be the tops of your sandwich cookies.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the whole circles and the donut cookies on separate baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. This separation is important since the donut cookies bake slightly faster.
- Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake the whole circles for approximately 11 minutes until the edges are lightly browned, and bake the donut cookies for about 10 minutes. Rotate the pans halfway through the baking time for even cooking. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes.
- Dust and Cool: After 5 minutes, sift confectioners’ sugar over the donut cookies to dust them lightly. Then transfer all cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before assembly.
- Assemble Linzer Cookies: Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen jam or preserves evenly on the bottom side of each whole cookie. Carefully place a donut cookie on top and press gently to form a sandwich, allowing the jam to peek through the center cut-out.
- Storage: Store your Linzer cookies tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- You can use either almonds or pistachios according to your preference for the nut base of this cookie.
- For the jam, raspberry or apricot preserves are traditional, but feel free to experiment with other fruity flavors.
- Chilling the dough for at least 3 hours is crucial to handleability and shape retention during baking.
- If the dough is too firm after chilling, allow it to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling out.
- Extra flour for rolling is necessary to prevent sticking, but avoid using too much to keep cookies tender.
- These cookies are best enjoyed within a few days but can be refrigerated to extend shelf life.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Austrian
