When it comes to holiday baking, few cookies are as charming and delightful as Christmas Linzer Cookies. These beautifully delicate cookies are a variation of the traditional Linzer Torte, an Austrian dessert that dates back centuries. Featuring a buttery, almond-flavored dough, a fruit preserve filling, and a unique cutout shape, Linzer cookies are a perfect treat for your holiday cookie platter or as a gift from the kitchen.
In this article, we will guide you through making Christmas Linzer Cookies, share tips on shaping them, and highlight why these cookies are a timeless favorite during the holiday season.
What Are Linzer Cookies?
Linzer cookies are a popular holiday cookie, named after the Linzer Torte, a traditional Austrian pastry made with a buttery, almond-based crust and fruit jam filling. Linzer cookies are a miniature, handheld version of the torte, with two almond-flavored dough rounds sandwiched together with jam, often with a cutout in the top cookie so that you can see the vibrant fruit filling inside.
These cookies are often made with a delicate dough that includes ground almonds or almond flour, giving them a wonderful nutty flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Traditionally, raspberry jam is used for the filling, but many variations can be made using other fruit preserves such as apricot, strawberry, or even plum.
Why Christmas Linzer Cookies?
Christmas Linzer Cookies are an ideal choice for holiday baking for several reasons:
- Festive Appearance: The cookies are often dusted with powdered sugar, giving them a snowy, wintery look that’s perfect for the holidays. The cut-out shapes (often stars, hearts, or other holiday-themed designs) make them visually appealing and fun to decorate.
- Delicate Flavor: The almond-flavored dough and sweet fruit jam combine to create a balanced, flavorful treat that isn’t too sweet but still satisfying. The texture is buttery, soft, and crumbly, making each bite a delightful experience.
- Tradition and Elegance: These cookies carry with them an air of tradition and sophistication, making them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, gifting, or serving at family gatherings.
Key Ingredients for Christmas Linzer Cookies
To make these beautiful cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best for controlling the flavor of the cookies.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the dough, but powdered sugar is often sprinkled on top of the finished cookies for that snow-like finish.
- Almond Flour: Ground almonds give the dough its nutty flavor and delicate texture. If you don’t have almond flour, you can grind blanched almonds in a food processor to achieve a similar result.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the base of the dough and gives it structure.
- Egg: An egg helps bind the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to the flavor of the dough.
- Fruit Jam: Traditionally, raspberry jam is used, but you can choose your favorite jam or preserve (apricot, strawberry, or plum are all great choices).
How to Make Christmas Linzer Cookies
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making these festive treats:
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until well combined.
- Gradually stir in almond flour and all-purpose flour until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft but not too sticky.
- Once the dough is combined, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to roll out.
2. Roll and Cut the Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- After the dough has chilled, roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Use a round cookie cutter to cut out your cookie shapes. For each cookie, you’ll need two: one for the bottom and one with a hole in the center (using a smaller cutter or a star-shaped cutter) to create the top layer that will reveal the jam inside.
- Place the cut-out dough on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring the cookies are evenly spaced.
3. Bake the Cookies
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Assemble the Cookies
- Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread a layer of your chosen fruit jam on the solid cookie halves.
- Dust the tops of the cookies with the cut-out centers with powdered sugar before gently placing them on top of the jam-filled cookies to create the sandwich.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Once assembled, your Christmas Linzer Cookies are ready to be served! These cookies are perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or hot chocolate, and they make a lovely holiday gift when packaged in a decorative tin.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Linzer Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s crucial for ensuring the dough is easy to handle and doesn’t spread too much while baking.
- Use a Fine Mesh Sifter: To avoid lumps and ensure an even dusting of powdered sugar on the finished cookies, sift it over the tops just before serving.
- Cookie Cutter Variations: While round cookies are traditional, you can use festive cutters like stars, hearts, or even Christmas trees to give your Linzer cookies a holiday flair.
- Jam Substitutions: If you’re not a fan of raspberry jam, feel free to swap it out for other fruit preserves like apricot, strawberry, or blackberry. Choose flavors that complement the almond dough.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Linzer Cookies are a perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire. They’re elegant, delicious, and versatile enough to suit any taste. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, giving them as gifts, or enjoying them with a cup of tea, these cookies are sure to bring joy to the season. With their buttery, almond-flavored dough and sweet fruit jam filling, Christmas Linzer Cookies are a beautiful way to celebrate the holidays and share the love with those around you.