This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Linzer cookies are the prettiest cookies on any holiday tray: two tender, lightly spiced almond cookies with a window of raspberry jam peeking through. This version adds a little dollop of chocolate cream cheese on top. They take some time, but the dough can be made ahead, and they’re perfect for cookie exchanges, gifts and Christmas Eve.
Tips for perfect Linzer cookies
- Grind the almonds finely. Pulse them in a food processor, or use 1 cup of almond flour.
- Roll between parchment. Rolling the chilled dough between sheets of parchment keeps it from sticking.
- No Linzer cutter? Use a 2 1/2-inch round cutter and a small star or heart cutter (or a piping tip) for the windows.
- Assemble close to serving. The jam slowly softens the cookies, so fill them the day you serve or up to a day ahead.
Make ahead
Make the dough up to 3 days ahead, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Baked, unfilled cookies keep a week in an airtight container.
Chocolate-Topped Linzer Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour and spices. Beat the butter and 1 cup powdered sugar until blended. Add the egg yolks and mix well.
- Gradually beat in the flour mixture, then the ground almonds. Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Roll one disk on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thick and cut 24 rounds with a 2 1/2-inch cutter. Cut a 1-inch center from 12 of them. Repeat with the second disk.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are golden. Cool 3 minutes on the pan, then on a wire rack.
- Spread jam over the whole cookies. Dust the cut-out tops with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and place them on the jam.
- Beat the cream cheese until creamy, then beat in the melted chocolate and 1 cup powdered sugar until fluffy. Spoon a little onto the center of each cookie and let set 10 minutes.
Notes
Planning your holiday baking? The Christmas Planner has a Christmas baking planner, a gift tracker, a six-week countdown and a Christmas dinner menu, so the whole season stays merry and organized. Get the Christmas Planner ($8) →
FAQ
Can I use another jam?
Yes. Apricot, strawberry or cherry jam are all delicious.
Do they need to be refrigerated?
Because of the cream cheese topping, store them in the fridge if you’ll keep them longer than a day.
How many does this make?
About 24 sandwich cookies.
Save this recipe for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board.
You might also like:
Leave a Reply