How to Make Linzer Cookies

Use different cookie cutters — stars for July 4th, hearts for Valentine's Day — to customize these jam-filled treats.

Linzer Cookies

In a modern spin on this Austrian confection, Zoe Francois swaps in hazelnuts for almonds and a bright red raspberry jam for the traditional black currant variety.


Follow this step-by-step guide to make the cookies. For the ingredients list, go to the Linzer Cookies recipe.

To Make the Cookie Dough:

Before grinding the nuts, roll them between your fingers to remove some of the skins, but not all.

In a food processor, grind the nuts and 1/3 cup sugar until they are a very fine powder. Adding a bit of the sugar prevents the nuts from becoming a paste. Set aside.


Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 

In a stand mixer, beat together the butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy on medium speed, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla and zest; beat until incorporated. Add the flour and mix just until the dough comes together.

Separate the dough into two disks and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least an hour before rolling out. The dough can be frozen for up to a month.

Roll the dough out on a well-floured surface to 1/4 -inch thick rectangle. As the dough warms up it will get sticky, so be sure to use plenty of flour. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut the dough. You can reroll the dough that is left as scraps.

Use a small 1/2 -inch cutter or a large round decorating tip to create the hole in half of the cookies. 


Bake them for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. Let the cookies cool on a rack.

Put 2 teaspoons of the raspberry jam on each of the cookies without the holes.


Dust the cookies with the holes with confectioners' sugar.

Sandwich the two cookies together, so the jam comes through the hole. Enjoy!

Get the Recipe: Linzer Cookies

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