Almond Raspberry Linzer Cookies

DifficultyBeginner

The Almond Raspberry Linzer Cookies are a classic Austrian treat consisting of buttery almond cookies sandwiched with a layer of sweet raspberry jam and dusted with powdered sugar. These festive cookies are perfect for holidays, afternoon tea, or any special occasion.

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Yields24 Servings
Prep Time30 minsCook Time1 hrTotal Time1 hr 30 mins
For the Cookie Dough
 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
 ½ cup Almond Flour (finely ground almonds)
 ½ tsp Baking Powder
 ¼ tsp Salt
 ½ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
 ½ cup Granulated Sugar
 1 Large Egg (room temperature)
 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
 ½ tsp Almond Extract
 ¼ cup Powdered Sugar (for dusting)
For the Filling
 ½ cup Raspberry Jam (seedless)
 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (optional, for brightness)
Prepare the Cookie Dough
1
  1. Combine Dry Ingredients:

    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt.

    • Set aside.

  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:

    • In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).

  3. Add the Eggs and Extracts:

    • Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating until fully incorporated.

  4. Mix in the Dry Ingredients:

    • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.

  5. Divide and Chill:

    • Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk.

    • Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Roll and Cut the Cookies
2
  1. Preheat the Oven:

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

    • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. Roll Out the Dough:

    • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to 1/8-inch thickness.

  3. Cut the Cookies:

    • Use a 2-3 inch round cookie cutter to cut out the cookie shapes.

    • Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

  4. Cut Out the Centers:

    • For half of the cookies, use a small round or decorative cutter to cut out the center, creating a window.

    • These will be the top cookies of the sandwiches.

Bake the Cookies
3
  1. Bake the Cookies:

    • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

    • Rotate the baking sheets halfway through for even baking.

  2. Cool the Cookies:

    • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Filling and Assemble
4
  1. Prepare the Filling:

    • In a small bowl, mix the raspberry jam and lemon juice (if using) until smooth.

  2. Dust the Tops:

    • Dust the top cookies (those with cut-out centers) with powdered sugar using a fine mesh strainer.

  3. Assemble the Cookies:

    • Spread 1 teaspoon of raspberry jam onto the bottom cookies (without cut-outs).

    • Gently place the dusted top cookie over the jam, pressing lightly to adhere.

Chill and Serve
5
  1. Chill the Cookies:

    • Let the assembled cookies rest for 30 minutes to allow the jam to set.

  2. Serve and Enjoy:

    • Arrange the cookies on a serving platter and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.

Serving and Presentation
6
  • Serve the almond raspberry Linzer cookies on a decorative plate with a light dusting of extra powdered sugar.

  • For a festive look, use heart-shaped cutters or seasonal designs.

Tips and Variations
7
  • Nut-Free Version: Substitute almond flour with oat flour or all-purpose flour.

  • Chocolate Raspberry Linzers: Dip the top cookie in melted dark chocolate for added decadence.

  • Lemon Curd Linzers: Swap the raspberry jam for lemon curd for a bright, zesty flavor.

  • Almond-Apricot Linzers: Use apricot preserves and add a dash of almond extract to the dough.

  • Gluten-Free Linzers: Replace the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and almond flour.

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough
 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
 ½ cup Almond Flour (finely ground almonds)
 ½ tsp Baking Powder
 ¼ tsp Salt
 ½ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
 ½ cup Granulated Sugar
 1 Large Egg (room temperature)
 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
 ½ tsp Almond Extract
 ¼ cup Powdered Sugar (for dusting)
For the Filling
 ½ cup Raspberry Jam (seedless)
 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (optional, for brightness)
Almond Raspberry Linzer Cookies
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