Buttery Linzer Cookies Recipe: Sweet Gems with Jam-Filled Hearts

Sweet moments of joy unfold when you create these delectable linzer cookies recipe that dance between crisp buttery layers and vibrant raspberry jam.

European bakers have perfected this delightful treat for generations.

Delicate almond-infused shortbread circles sandwich ruby-red preserves with elegant simplicity.

Dusted with powdered sugar, these cookies whisper tales of cozy afternoon tea times.

Each bite brings a harmonious blend of nutty richness and fruity brightness.

The recipe promises to transform your kitchen into a warm, inviting bakery.

You’ll want to share these irresistible cookies with everyone you love.

Sweet Sandwich Treats: What Makes Them Fun

• Whip Up Playful Treats: Perfect for creating adorable, Instagram-worthy sandwich cookies that will delight both kids and adults with their charming heart-shaped design.
• Master Baking Skills: Beginner-friendly recipe that teaches essential techniques like creaming butter, rolling dough, and precise cutting, helping home bakers build confidence in the kitchen.
• Create Customizable Desserts: Easily swap jam flavors or experiment with different extracts to personalize these sweet treats for special occasions like Valentine's Day, bridal showers, or family gatherings.
• Impress with Minimal Effort: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps allow you to produce professional-looking cookies that seem much more complicated than they actually are.

Ingredients Needed for Sweet Sandwich Treats

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden cookie.
• Flour: The main structural component that gives the cookies their shape and structure.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's rich texture.

• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Add depth and complementary flavor notes to the sweet sandwich cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Jam: Provides a fruity, sweet center that creates the sandwich effect.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds a delicate, sweet dusting to the top of the cookies for visual appeal and extra sweetness.

How to Make Sweet Sandwich Treats

Step 1: Whip Creamy Base

Grab your stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

Blend butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes incredibly light and airy, creating a smooth and fluffy foundation for your cookies.

Step 2: Incorporate Liquid Ingredients

Pour in eggs, vanilla, and almond extract.

Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are perfectly combined and the batter looks smooth and consistent.

Step 3: Fold in Flour

Gently add flour to the mixture, using low mixer speed.

Stir just until the ingredients are incorporated, being careful not to overmix which can make cookies tough.

Step 4: Prepare Dough Sheet

Place dough between two sheets of parchment paper.

Roll it out carefully until it reaches a delicate 1/8 inch thickness, ensuring an even surface.

Step 5: Initial Chilling

Transfer the rolled dough to the refrigerator.

Let it rest for 20 minutes, allowing the dough to firm up and become easier to handle.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Pieces

• Plain circular bases
• Circular cookies with heart-shaped centers cut out

Step 7: Secondary Chilling

Place cut cookie shapes in the freezer.

Chill for 3-5 minutes to help them maintain their shape during baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but not browned, watching carefully to prevent overcooking.

Step 9: Create Sandwich Magic

• Dusting cutout tops with powdered sugar.
• Spreading jam on bottom cookie bases.
• Gently pressing heart-topped cookies onto jam-covered bases to create beautiful sandwich cookies.

Tips for Sweet Sandwich Treat Perfection

• Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve ideal room temperature for smooth creaming.
• Gently fold flour until just combined to maintain tender, delicate cookie texture and avoid tough results.
• Select high-quality, seedless fruit preserves for smooth, rich filling that complements the delicate sandwich cookie.
• First and second chilling steps help cookies maintain shape, prevent spreading, and create crisp, clean edges.
• Watch cookies closely during last few minutes to prevent over-browning and ensure perfect golden-crisp texture.

Sweet Sandwich Treat Variations

• Gluten-Free Sandwich Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Chocolate Lover's Variation: Swap jam with chocolate ganache and add cocoa powder to the dough for intense chocolate flavor.
• Vegan Shortbread Cookies: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, and choose plant-based jam for dairy-free option.
• Spiced Winter Cookies: Mix ground cinnamon and nutmeg into dough, use spiced plum or apple butter as filling for seasonal warmth.

Fun Ways to Serve Sweet Sandwich Treats

• Romantic Dessert Date Night: Create a charming dessert experience by serving these sweet sandwich treats on elegant small plates with delicate tea spoons for an intimate moment.
• Afternoon Tea Party Platter: Arrange cookies artfully on a decorative tiered stand, adding fresh berries and mint leaves for a sophisticated presentation that delights guests.
• Kid-Friendly Picnic Treat: Pack these cookies in colorful lunch boxes with small containers of extra jam, making a playful and delicious snack for children's outings.
• Coffee Shop Style Serving: Pair the sandwich cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar and serve alongside a steaming cappuccino or rich espresso for a delightful café-inspired experience.

Storing Sweet Sandwich Treats

• Store in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days at room temperature to maintain freshness and prevent sticking.
• Pack cookies in freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze up to 3 months for extended enjoyment.
• Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent softening or jam from melting, maintaining their delicate texture.
• Place a small piece of bread in storage container to help cookies stay soft and prevent them from becoming too dry or crisp.

FAQs

• Why is chilling the dough important?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking and keeps the cookie shape crisp and clean, ensuring a professional-looking final result.

• Can I use different extracts instead of vanilla and almond?

Yes, you can experiment with other extracts like lemon or coconut to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the cookie’s basic structure.

• What type of jam works best for filling?

Raspberry or strawberry jam are classic choices, but any seedless fruit jam with a balanced sweetness will work perfectly for these sandwich cookies.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to exactly 1/8 inch thickness for consistent baking and delicate, tender cookies that aren’t too thick or heavy.

Linzer Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Linzer cookies blend Austrian culinary charm with buttery almond-infused pastry, creating delicate sandwich treats filled with raspberry jam. Sweet and nutty layers melt together, offering pure holiday magic that beckons you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Filling and Topping:

• 1–2 cups raspberry or strawberry jam
• 1 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Create a silky smooth base by creaming butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture using a stand mixer with paddle attachment.
2. Incorporate wet ingredients by gently blending eggs, vanilla, and almond extract until fully integrated and smooth.
3. Gradually fold flour into the mixture on low speed, stirring just until combined to maintain a delicate consistency and prevent overmixing.
4. Carefully spread dough between parchment paper sheets, rolling to an even 1/8 inch thickness for uniform cookies.
5. Stabilize the dough by chilling in refrigerator for 20 minutes, allowing it to firm up and become easier to handle.
6. Precisely cut cookie shapes, creating half with plain circles and half featuring delicate heart-shaped centers.
7. Enhance cookie structure by briefly freezing cut shapes for 3-5 minutes, which helps maintain crisp edges during baking.
8. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, watching for set edges that remain pale golden, avoiding over-browning.
9. Complete the treat by lightly dusting cutout tops with powdered sugar, spreading a thin layer of jam on bottom cookies, and gently pressing sandwich halves together.

Notes

• Prevent Tough Cookies by carefully mixing flour and stopping when just combined to maintain a tender, delicate texture.
• Customize Flavors by swapping vanilla extract with different flavor extracts like orange, lemon, or coconut for unique taste variations.
• Enhance Presentation by using different shaped cookie cutters to create playful and personalized sandwich cookies for special occasions.
• Control Sweetness by selecting low-sugar or sugar-free jam options for a lighter, more balanced treat suitable for those watching sugar intake.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Austrian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 35mg