Linzer Cookies are an iconic cookie exchange recipe everyone loves. Loaded with classic shortbread flavor and the tartness of raspberry jam, these look difficult but are truly easy to make!
The Best Christmas Linzer Cookies Recipe
Linzer cookies are classic Christmas cookies with a gorgeous look. They are essentially made of two cookies sandwiched together with a colorful and flavorful jam. The top cookie usually has a small shape cut out, so you see the jam color through that shape. The effect is super pretty, especially when the finished cookies are dusted with confectioners sugar!
What is a Linzer Cookie?
Linzer Cookies are named after a Linzer Torte, which originated in Linz, Austria. The torte is a pastry traditionally filled with black currant preserves and topped with a lattice crust. So, these cookies are basically a torte is cookie form.
What Do They Taste Like?
Similar to Jammy Dodger cookies, these sandwich cookies have a shortbread taste and a raspberry filling. They are classically made with raspberry filling, but you can add any flavor of jam you prefer, including homemade jam.
Why You’ll Love this Linzer Cookies Recipe
- Easy. The shortbread cookie base is incredibly easy to make. Then all you need to do is add a dollop of jam and sandwich two cookies together before dusting them with powdered sugar.
- Impressive. Despite being easy to make, your family and friends will be super impressed if you share homemade Linzer cookies with them. They’re just so gorgeous they can’t help but feel fancy.
- Tasty. Between the buttery cookies, the jam filling, and the confectioners’ sugar, there is a lot to love about these cookies!
- Festive. Because they’re so pretty these cookies are super festive. Add them to your Christmas cookie platter and Santa will definitely appreciate it.
What You’ll Need
Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to make Linzer cookies from scratch. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for specific amounts.
- Flour – All-purpose flour is fine.
- Confectioners sugar – This is the same as powdered sugar. Don’t use regular granulated sugar or brown sugar.
- Butter – Unsalted butter at room temperature.
- Eggs – At room temperature.
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Slivered almonds – Finely ground in your food processor or blender.
- Raspberry jam – Other flavors of jam work too!
Can I Make These Linzer Cookies with Almond Paste?
I have seen recipes using regular flour and almond paste instead of using almond flour. This lets you use a more inexpensive flour than almond flour and have the same taste as traditional cookies.
Flavor Variations
Want to use a different flavor of jam? Go for it! Here are some suggestions:
- Black Currant – This is the traditional flavor for Linzer cookies.
- Strawberry – Storebought is fine, or you could try my Instant Pot strawberry jam.
- Apricot
- Peach
- Fig
- Cherry – I have an Instant Pot mixed cherry berry jam that would be awesome for these cookies, or straight Instant Pot cherry jam.
How to Make Linzer Cookies
Now that you know what Linzer cookies are and what you’ll need to make them, let’s talk about the recipe step-by-step. Here’s how to make the best Linzer cookies ever:
- Cream butter and sugar. In a mixing bowl, beat butter and confectioners sugar.
- Add eggs, vanilla and salt. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and salt until combined.
- Blend the almonds, then add them. Using a blender, finely grind slivered almonds and add to butter mixture.
- Add flour. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Chill. Divide dough into 2 discs and wrap in plastic. Place in refrigerator until firm, approximately 4 hours or overnight.
- Roll dough & cut into shapes. Use medium-size and mini-size cookie cutters. Cut out 2 medium size snowflake cookies. One cookie will be the base for the linzer sandwich. The other cookie will have the center cutout. Use one mini cutter and cut out 1 center. Repeat this, creating sandwich sets with a variety of cookie cutters.
Pro Tip
Transfer cutouts to baking sheet before cutting out the center and make sure to dip cutter into flour before pressing into dough.
- Bake. At 350° for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool. Set cookies on a wire rack to cool.
- Spread jam on each cookie base. Place the cookie with the cut out on top.
Pro Tip
Place the mini cutouts on a separate baking sheet as they will bake faster.
- Dust with sugar. Set all the top cookies on a sheet and dust evenly with confectioners sugar.
That’s it! Now all you have to do is make sure you get a few cookies before everyone gobbles them up.
How to Store Linzer Cookies
- Counter: Baked Linzer cookies will keep in an airtight container on the counter for 2 days.
- Fridge: You can also store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Here they will last for up to a week.
Note that as the cookies sit they will absorb some of the moisture from the jam, making them a bit softer. That is totally normal and all the more incentive to eat them quickly!
Can You Freeze Them?
Yes! Freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a month. You will need to re-dust them with powdered sugar, but they freeze great.
Other Christmas Cookies You Will Love:
- Gingerbread Kiss Cookies
- Gingerbread Man Cookies
- Gingersnap Cookies
- Melt-In-Your-Mouth Snowball Cookies
- White Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies
- Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
- The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Pinwheel Cookies
Christmas Linzer Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups Confectioners sugar
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups slivered almonds finely ground
- 1 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat butter and confectioners sugar. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and salt until combined.
- Using a blender, finely grind slivered almonds and add to butter mixture.
- Add flour and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Divide dough into 2 discs and wrap in plastic. Place in refrigerator until firm, approximately 4 hours or overnight.
- Roll dough. Using medium size and mini size cookie cutters, snowflakes for example. Cut out 2 medium size snowflake cookies.
- Tip: Transfer cutouts to baking sheet before cutting out the center and make sure to dip cutter into flour before pressing into dough.
- One cookie will be the base for the linzer sandwich. The other cookie will have the center cutout.
- Use one mini cutter, snowflakes for example, and cuttout 1 center. Repeat this, creating sandwich sets with a variety of cookie cutters.
- Place the mini cutouts on a separate baking sheet as they will bake faster.
- Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Set cookies on a wire rack to cool.
- Spread jam on each cookie base.
- Set all the top cookies on a sheet and dust evenly with confectioners sugar.
- Place tops onto preserve covered bases. These are your linzer sandwich cookies.
- Store in a air tight container for up to a week. If they last that long!
Last Step:
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2 comments on “Christmas Linzer Cookies”
I made these delicious cookies for a cookie exchange last year and they were a huge hit. They were beautiful and delicious! Making them again this year!
Thank you Laura!