Introduction
Linzer cookies are a delightful treat hailing from Austria, known for their beautifully festive appearance and delicious flavor. These indulgent cookies are crafted from a buttery almond dough and filled with tangy raspberry jam, making them perfect for any occasion, whether a holiday gathering or a simple afternoon snack. The contrast of the sweet jam with the nutty dough creates a wonderfully satisfying experience.
Ingredients
250g all-purpose flour
100g almond flour
150g unsalted butter, softened
100g granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
150g raspberry jam
2 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling)
Yield: 20 sandwich cookies
Directions
1. In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thickness.
7. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies. In half of the cookies, cut out small shapes in the center to create a window.
8. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Spread a small amount of raspberry jam on the solid cookies, then place the cut-out cookies on top.
11. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Enjoy these delightful Linzer cookies with your friends and family, and relish their unique combination of textures and flavors. Perfect for sharing or simply indulging yourself!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 3mm thickness.
Step 7: Cut Out Cookies
Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies. For half of the cookies, cut out small shapes in the center to create a window effect.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden.
Step 9: Cooling
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 10: Assemble the Cookies
Spread a small amount of raspberry jam on the solid cookies. Then place the cut-out cookies on top to form a sandwich.
Step 11: Dust with Powdered Sugar
Before serving, dust the assembled cookies with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Notes
Tip 1: Use Quality Ingredients
Using high-quality butter and raspberry jam will enhance the flavor of your Linzer cookies.
Tip 2: Chill the Dough
Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading during baking.
Tip 3: Customize Shapes
Feel free to use different cookie cutter shapes for a personalized touch.
Tip 4: Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Tip 5: Decorative Options
For a festive look, consider adding decorative sprinkles or edible glitter on top of the powdered sugar.
Storage Instructions
Once the Linzer cookies are assembled and dusted with powdered sugar, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To maintain their freshness, it is recommended to separate layers of cookies with parchment paper. If you prefer, you can also freeze the baked cookies without jam or powdered sugar for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Linzer cookies dusted with powdered sugar on a festive platter during holidays or special occasions. They pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee. For a more indulgent treat, consider serving these cookies with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side. You can also garnish them with fresh raspberries or a drizzle of chocolate for an elegant touch.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 cookie):
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 18g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 2g
Please note that nutritional values may vary based on ingredient brands and specific measurements used.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Almond Flour: You can substitute almond flour with finely ground oats or a gluten-free all-purpose flour if you are allergic to nuts.
- Unsalted Butter: For a dairy-free option, use an equal amount of coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute.
- Granulated Sugar: Replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar or a sugar alternative like stevia to reduce the caloric content.
- Raspberry Jam: Any fruit jam or preserves such as strawberry, apricot, or blueberry can be used in place of raspberry jam for different flavor profiles.
- Egg: To make the recipe egg-free, you can use a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoon water, allowed to sit until gelatinous).
Cook Techniques
Whisking Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt thoroughly to ensure even distribution and to aerate the mixture. This step enhances the texture of the cookies.
Creaming Butter and Sugar
Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the batter, resulting in tender cookies.
Chilling the Dough
Chilling the cookie dough for a minimum of 1 hour is crucial. It firms up the butter, making the dough easier to roll out and reducing spreading during baking.
Cutting Cookie Shapes
Roll out the dough evenly on a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thickness. Use a round cookie cutter for the base cookies and a smaller cutter for the cut-out window pieces.
Baking Time
Bake the cookies at 175°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden. Keeping an eye on the cookies will ensure they do not over-bake.
Assembling Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled, spread a small amount of raspberry jam on the solid cookies before placing the cut-out cookies on top. This creates the classic Linzer cookie look.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of jam?
Yes, you can substitute raspberry jam with other fruit jams or preserves such as strawberry, apricot, or cherry, depending on your preference.
How can I store Linzer cookies?
Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing them before assembly.
What should I do if my dough is too crumbly?
If the dough is too crumbly, try adding a teaspoon of milk or water at a time until the dough comes together.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare and chill the dough up to 2 days in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator.
How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make gluten-free Linzer cookies, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.
Conclusion
Linzer cookies with raspberry jam are a delightful treat that combine buttery almond flavor with the tart sweetness of raspberry. Their beautiful appearance and festive nature make them perfect for any celebration or as a special homemade gift. Enjoy them fresh or store them in an airtight container for a tasty treat any time.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Pineapple Coconut Linzer Cookies
Try substituting raspberry jam with a tangy pineapple jam and add shredded coconut to the dough for a tropical twist.
Chocolate Hazelnut Linzer Cookies
Use chocolate hazelnut spread as the filling in combination with hazelnut flour for an indulgent and nutty flavor.
Apricot Almond Linzer Cookies
Replace raspberry jam with apricot jam and enhance the almond flavor by adding almond extract to the dough.
Spiced Pumpkin Linzer Cookies
Incorporate pumpkin puree into the dough and use cinnamon and nutmeg for a fall-inspired cookie, filling with a spiced cream cheese frosting.
Matcha Green Tea Linzer Cookies
Add matcha powder to the dough for a vibrant green cookie, and fill with sweetened red bean paste for an Asian-inspired flavor.
Lemon Blueberry Linzer Cookies
Infuse lemon zest into the dough and use blueberry jam for a refreshing and zesty combination that’s perfect for summertime.
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