Linzer Raspberry Cookies are two sweet, buttery cookies with a beautiful heart-shaped cutout on top, filled with luscious raspberry jam. They look fancy but are fun to make!
These cookies not only taste great but also make for a lovely gift. I love enjoying them with a cup of tea—they just feel like a warm hug! ❤️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This is essential for rich flavor and tender texture. If you’re dairy-free, consider using a plant-based butter. My personal favorite is Earth Balance.
Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar works perfectly, but for a deeper flavor, try using brown sugar. It adds a slight caramel note that complements the cookies nicely.
Raspberry Jam: While raspberry is traditional, feel free to substitute with other jams like strawberry or apricot if you prefer. I’ve also used homemade jam, and it takes these cookies to another level!
Ground Cinnamon: This adds warmth and spice to the cookies. If you don’t like cinnamon, you can leave it out or swap it for a pinch of nutmeg for a different flavor twist.
How Do You Ensure Your Cookies Are Light and Fluffy?
The key to light and fluffy cookies starts with properly creaming the butter and sugar. Here’s how to do it right:
- Make sure your butter is softened—it should be slightly warm but not melted.
- Use an electric mixer at medium speed, and cream for about 2-3 minutes. You’ll want the mixture to turn pale and fluffy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. Overmixing here can lead to tough cookies.
This technique makes a huge difference in the final texture, so take your time with this step!
How to Make Linzer Raspberry Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Filling and Topping:
- 3/4 cup raspberry jam
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 20 minutes of prep time, plus around 1 hour for chilling the dough, and then about 10 minutes to bake. Add a few minutes to assemble the cookies, and you’ll have your tasty treats ready in roughly 1.5 hours!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Creaming the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer. Mix them until the mixture is light and fluffy—this should take about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for getting that nice texture!
2. Adding Egg and Vanilla:
Next, mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined. Just mix until you don’t see any yellow egg left!
3. Preparing the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Don’t worry if it looks a little crumbly at first; it’ll come together!
4. Chilling the Dough:
Now that your dough is ready, divide it in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out later.
5. Prepping to Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. After the dough has chilled, take one disk out of the fridge.
6. Rolling and Cutting Cookie Shapes:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the first disk of dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a fluted round cookie cutter, cut out cookies for the bottom layer and place them on the baking sheet.
7. Creating the Heart-Cut Toppings:
For the second disk, roll it out similarly. Use the same round cutter but with a smaller heart-shaped cutter in the center to create the tops. These will be the ones with the pretty heart-shaped cutouts.
8. Baking the Cookies:
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, let them cool completely on a wire rack to ensure they stay crisp!
9. Assembling the Sandwich Cookies:
Now, take the bottom cookies and spread about a teaspoon of raspberry jam on each. Gently place the top cookies over the jam to form a cookie sandwich, making sure the heart cutout shows off that lovely jam!
10. Finishing Touch:
Finally, dust the finished cookies generously with powdered sugar for that lovely snowy finish.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
These beautiful Linzer Raspberry Cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them at your next gathering or keep them in an airtight container for yourself!
These cookies are not only delicious but also stunning, making them perfect for sharing. Enjoy every crumb! 🍪❤️
Can I Use a Different Type of Jam?
Absolutely! While raspberry is traditional, you can substitute it with any fruit jam you like—strawberry, apricot, or even mixed berry jams work wonderfully as well!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you live in a humid area, you can refrigerate them to maintain their crispness, but be sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving!
Can I Make These Cookies Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Make sure it has xanthan gum included, or add it according to the package directions. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still taste delicious!
What If My Dough is Crumbling?
If your dough is crumbly, it might need a bit more moisture. Try adding a teaspoon of milk or water at a time until it holds together nicely. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as that can lead to tough cookies.
