Cozy Linzer Cookies Recipe

The smell of toasted almonds and warm fruit preserves drifting through the kitchen always signals the start of my holiday baking season.

I make this traditional Linzer Cookies recipe every year because the tender, melt-away texture feels special enough for gifting yet comforting enough for a cozy night in.

What Makes This Linzer Cookies Recipe a Keeper

The nutty richness of almond flour gives the dough a delicate crumb that pairs beautifully with the bright acidity of the fruit filling.

You will love how the dough holds its shape during baking, ensuring your windowpane cutouts look crisp and professional every time.

I appreciate that this recipe is versatile enough to work with whatever jam you have in the pantry, though raspberry is my personal favorite.

If you enjoyed this classic bake, you’ll want to try my Ultimate Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe next, plus the Irresistible Lemon Cake Mix Cookies Recipe delivers the same bold flavors.

Everything You Need for Perfect Linzer Cookies

Here are the pantry staples and fresh items you will need to gather:

• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie dough just enough without overpowering the filling.
• Lemon zest or cinnamon: Adds a bright citrus note or warm spice to the dough.
• Egg yolk: Provides richness and helps bind the delicate dough together.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the buttery and nutty flavors.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure for the cookies.
• Almond flour: Essential for the classic nutty flavor and tender texture.
• Fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness of the sugar and jam.
• Raspberry jam or lemon curd: Used for the jewel-like center filling.
• Confectioners’ sugar: For that classic snowy dusting on top.

My Method for Linzer Cookies

Let’s get the oven ready and start baking these beauties!

1. Beat the butter, sugar, and lemon zest (or cinnamon) in a large bowl for about 3 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, then beat again until everything is fully combined.
3. Whisk the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt together in a separate bowl.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the dough.
5. Divide the dough in half, pat each piece into a disc, wrap them in plastic, and refrigerate for about 1 hour until firm.
6. Take the dough out and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it is pliable enough to roll but still cold.
7. Roll one disc out on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness and cut rounds using a 2 1/2-inch cutter.
8. Transfer these solid rounds to a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate them for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F.
9. Roll out the second disc and cut the same number of rounds, then use a small cutter to remove the center from each to create the top pieces.
10. Chill these cutout tops for 30 minutes as well to help them keep their shape.
11. Bake all cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges just start to turn a light golden brown.
12. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a rack to cool completely.
13. Sift confectioners’ sugar generously over the cooling cutout top cookies.
14. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of jam or curd onto the flat side of the solid bottom cookies.
15. Place the sugar-dusted tops over the jam-covered bottoms to form the sandwiches.

My Best Tips for Perfect Linzer Cookies

Chilling the dough is the single most important step to prevent the cookies from spreading and losing their beautiful shape in the oven.

I always roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to keep the delicate Linzer Cookies from sticking without adding too much excess flour.

Make sure your cookies are completely cool before dusting them with sugar, otherwise the topping will melt into the warm pastry.

How to Serve This Linzer Cookies Recipe

These cookies actually taste better the next day once the jam has slightly softened the crisp almond shortbread.

I love serving this Linzer Cookies recipe with a hot cup of tea or packaging them in tins for a stunning holiday gift.