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Linzer Cookies

May 1, 2023 by tayler 5 Comments

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This Linzer cookie recipe combines sweet shortbread-style cookies with fruit jam for a cookie that is both eye-catching and irresistible. With a cut-out cookie on top, the vibrant jam shines through.

angled shot of linzer cookies on a platter with text overlay for facebook

​What I love about these cookies is that they are such show-stoppers but they’re incredibly easy to make. No one will guess that took so little time to whip these up.

The next time you’re looking for crowd-pleasing cookie recipes, try these simple Linzer cookies.

overhead close up shot of heart cookies on parchment paper
overhead shot of one heart shaped cookie

Why You’ll Love Linzer Cookies

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love Linzer Cookies
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Linzer Cookies
      • Make the Dough
      • Make Cookies
  • What to Serve with Linzer Cookies
  • Variations
  • Storage, Make Ahead and Freezing
  • Common Questions About Linzer Cookies
  • More Easy Cookies
  • Linzer Cookies
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions

These delicate sandwich cookies are easy to love! 

  • Easy – These cookies are so pretty but they’re also super simple.
  • Customizable – You can easily switch up the flavor of the cookies or the jam. 
  • Versatile – Take these to holiday parties and baby showers or to casual gatherings like cookouts and potlucks.
linzer cookies on baking sheet with parchment paper

Ingredients

Be sure to allow all ingredients to come to room temperature so that they are easy to mix together.

  • Unsalted butter – Unsalted butter is best for this easy cookie recipe. 
  • Sugar – Granulated sugar works well because the size of the granules allows them to dissolve quickly when mixed.
  • Eggs – Eggs help to hold the ingredients together. Large size will work best.
  • Milk – We recommend full fat milk but you can use a lower fat version if you prefer.
  • Vanilla extract – Vanilla extract helps to bring out the flavors of the ingredients.
  • Flour – All purpose flour is perfect for these cookies.
  • Baking powder – This leavening agent helps the cookies to rise. 
  • Strawberry jam – Use your favorite brand or make your own at home.
  • Heart-shaped cookie cutters – You’ll want to use two cutters. One should be larger than the other.
  • Powdered sugar – Confectioner’s sugar dusted over top of the cookies makes for a pretty presentation.
close up of two linzer cookies

How To Make Linzer Cookies

It’s hard to believe that such a cute cookie is so easy to make. 

Make the Dough

  1. Cream butter and sugar. Add butter and sugar to a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer) and beat.
  2. Add eggs, milk and vanilla. Once combined, add the eggs, milk, and vanilla to the butter mixture and beat again.
  3. Dry ingredients. Sift or pour the flour and baking powder into a separate bowl. In intervals, incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. 
  4. Chill. Place plastic wrap over the bowl and refrigerate. 
cookie dough in a mixing bowl

Make Cookies

  1. Roll and cut dough. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out. Use the large cookie cutter to cut out two large cookies. On one of the cookies, use the smaller cookie cutter to cut out the shape.
  2. Bake. Place both cookies on the prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats. Repeat until all dough has been used. Bake the cookies for the recommended baking time until the cookies are a light golden brown.
  3. Cool. After removing from the oven, all the cookies to cool briefly on the cookie sheets. Then place cookies on a wire rack to come to room temperature..
  4. Spread jam. After cookies have cooled, spread strawberry jam on the large, whole cookies and top with the cut-out cookies.
  5. Top with powdered sugar. Add a dusting of powdered sugar on top of the cookies. 
cookie cutter cutting cookie dough
overhead shot of jam spread onto heart shaped cookies
hand adding second cookie on top of jam

What to Serve with Linzer Cookies

These little Linzer cookies are perfect for a tea party and they also pair well with coffee — try pairing them with a dalgona coffee or an espresso martini. You can also dunk them in whipped cream or serve them alongside ice cream. 

overhead shot of individual linzer cookies on plates

Variations

There are a few fun ways to make these cookies your own. 

  • Extracts – Swap out the vanilla for almond extract or your own favorite flavor. 
  • Flour – Experiment with using an alternative flour like almond flour.
  • Shapes – Trade out the heart cookie cutter for a round cookie cutter or any other shape that you prefer.
  • Jam filling – Use any fruit preserves that you prefer. Raspberry jam, black currant preserves, lemon curd, and apricot jam are all good alternatives.
  • ​Citrus – Add citrusy flavor by adding lemon zest to the jam or the cookie dough.
  • Chocolate – For a rich filling, try replacing the jam with chocolate ganache.
bite taken out of heart shaped cookie

Storage, Make Ahead and Freezing

You easily store cookies that are both baked and unbaked.

Make ahead: You can make Linzer cookies ahead and fill them when you’re ready to serve. You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Refrigerator: Store Linzer cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Freezer: Linzer cookies can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

angled shot platter of linzer cookies
overhead shot of one heart shaped cookie

Common Questions About Linzer Cookies

What are Linzer cookies made of?

These shortbread-style cookies are made with basic ingredients including eggs, butter, flour, and vanilla extract. Jam is also used to spread in between two cookies. 

What nationality are Linzer cookies? 

Linzer cookies originated in Austria as a spin-off from the popular Linzer torte. 

What can you use instead of a Linzer cookie cutter?

Fortunately, it’s not necessary to use a Linzer cookie cutter. You can use any kind of cutters that you like that are different in size.

collage of linzer cookies

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  • Old Fashioned Tea Cakes
  • Apple Sauce Cookies
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A rich chocolate cookie full of Oreos and topped with a sweet icing studded with more Oreos, these Copycat Crumbl Oreo Cookies are the best!
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Cream Cheese Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Like a combo of cheesecake and classic chocolate chip cookies, these Cream Cheese Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are the moist & delicious!
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one linzer cookie on a plate with text overlay for pinterest
close up of two linzer cookies

Linzer Cookies

This Linzer Cookies recipe combines sweet shortbread-style cookies with fruit jam for a cookie that is both eye-catching and irresistible!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: linzer cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 20

Equipment

  • heart cookie cutters

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 cups flour plus more for rolling
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup strawberry jam
  • 2 heart shaped cookie cutters one larger one smaller
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, stir together flour and baking powder. Add half to wet mixture, blend well and then add the other half.
  • Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour, but no longer than 24 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper.
  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out two large hearts. In the center of one large heart, cut out a smaller heart. Transfer one whole large heart and large heart with center removed to a parchment lined baking sheet. Continue until no dough is left. I used a 4 and 3 inch cookie cutter.
  • Bake each batch for 7-11 minutes (time will vary greatly depending on how large your cookies are).
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool fully.
  • After cookies have cooled, spread strawberry jam on the large, whole heart.
  • Top with a cut-out cookie. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it went in the comments or ratings!

Filed Under: Cookies

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dana

    May 2, 2023 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    These turned out wonderfully! They’re so adorable and they were surprisingly easy to make.

  2. Toni

    May 2, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    This is so adorable!! Totally irresistible!!

  3. Kathleen

    May 2, 2023 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    I had no idea these elegant and delicious Linzer cookies were so easy to make. Adding them to my baking rotation ASAP!

  4. Michelle

    May 2, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    I’m always ready for a delicious dessert! Can’t wait to make it this weekend!

  5. Kathryn

    May 2, 2023 at 3:28 pm

    5 stars
    These are the cutest cookies- we all loved the jam in these heart shaped cookies! They were perfectly butter, crunchy and sweet!

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Meet Jessica

Best dessert recipes is a central place for easy dessert recipes featuring semi-homemade, one step and easy dessert making hacks guaranteed for all culinary levels. Jessica is a cookbook author and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School certified recipe developer. See her work in Parade Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Mashed, AllRecipes AllStars and The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

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