Linzer Cookies are the quintessential Christmas cookies: delicate, buttery and with that little central “window” that reveals the jam. A sweet symbol of Austrian tradition that wins you over with its spiced aroma and romantic appearance. Making them means bringing a bit of winter magic to the table in every bite.
They are usually made at Christmas, but they are so good you can find them all year round. Here are some other delicious holiday ideas
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 35 pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons, Christmas
Ingredients for Linzer Cookies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (00 flour)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces
- 1 cup ground almonds (almond meal) (or whole almonds if using the Bimby)
- 1 egg
- 1 packet vanillin (or substitute with 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground cloves (powdered)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 scant teaspoon baking powder (a scant/short measure)
- as needed raspberry jam
- as needed powdered sugar (for dusting)
Tools
- 1 Food processor Bimby tm31 – tm5 – tm6 – tm7
- Bowls
- 1 Rolling pin
- 2 Cookie cutters
- Parchment paper
- 2 Baking sheets
- 1 Stand mixer
Preparation of Linzer Cookies
NOTE I used whole almonds with the skin, but usually blanched almonds are used. If you don’t have the Bimby, use almond meal — it’s available at supermarkets.
Put the sugar, salt and whole almonds into the Bimby bowl. Blend at speed 10 for 10 seconds. (if you like, you can add some lemon zest)
Scrape down with a spatula. You should obtain a fine, uniform powder.
Now add the flour, butter pieces, egg, vanillin, baking powder, cinnamon and ground cloves. Knead at speed 4 for 30 seconds.
Remove from the bowl and form a ball with your hands.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
WITHOUT BIMBY: In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with the sifted baking powder and a pinch of salt. In the stand mixer bowl, work the cold cubed butter with the paddle attachment for a few minutes until it becomes soft. Add the almond flour and continue mixing for another couple of minutes. Add the egg, vanillin, cinnamon and ground cloves, then work the dough until the ingredients are well combined. At this point incorporate the flour with the baking powder and salt and knead until you obtain a homogeneous dough. Form a ball, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 356°F. Take half of the shortcrust dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface; if you prefer, you can roll it between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll it to about 3–5 mm thick (about 1/8–3/16 inch).
Using a 5 cm round cutter (about 2 inches) cut out many discs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each. Now, on every other cookie, make a hole in the center with a smaller cookie cutter.
Once finished, bake the cookies in the preheated oven at 356°F for 12–15 minutes. Once cooled, place a small amount of raspberry jam in the center of the full cookies, then place the ‘crown’ (the perforated cookie) on top and press gently to adhere without squashing the filling. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
TIPS & NOTES
🧡 How to store them
In a tin or an airtight container, preferably with a layer of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
At room temperature, in a cool, dry place away from heat or humidity.
If you want them to stay perfect longer, you can store the baked discs unfilled and fill them only when serving: they will remain crispier.
⏳ How long they last
Filled: about 5–7 days.
Unfilled: up to 2 weeks.
In the freezer (only baked, unfilled cookies): up to 2 months; just thaw at room temperature and fill.
🎁 How to present or gift them
Linzer Cookies are also perfect as gifts: arrange them in a tin or in a clear food-safe bag, add a ribbon and perhaps a handwritten note. Their elegant shape and red jam heart make them a simple yet always appreciated gift. On the table, they immediately create atmosphere: you can serve them on a tray with other holiday cookies or pair them with a cup of hot tea for a truly special snack.
