Linzer Plätzchen

Buttery, soft, nutty, sandwich cookies with a layer of tart jam in between, these linzer plätzchen are one of the best holiday cookies!

What is the best jam for Linzer Cookies?

Any jam that isn’t very runny will work for linzer cookies, that being said I love using a more tart jam to balance out the sweet butteriness of the cookies.

Are Linzer cookies German?

Technically no, linzer cookies originated in Austria. However, they have been very popular for a long time in Germany.

How long will Linzer Plätzchen keep?

Linzer cookies are a great holiday cookie because they will keep for a couple of weeks. However, the jam will soak into the cookie and soften them slightly.

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Tips for making Linzer cookies

• Make sure the butter is soft – this will allow the dough to come together faster without developing gluten and causing the cookies to be tough.
• When mixing the dough, be careful not to over mix it. However, it should be a smooth cohesive ball of dough rather than still crumbly. You can bring it together when wrapping it in the plastic wrap, just make sure it is fully mixed and that you can no longer see any dry bits.
• Don’t over bake the cookies or they will be dry and crumbly. They shouldn’t really change color, just look like they have dried on the surface.
• The cookies are traditionally cut out in a circle with a shape in the center; however you can use any shape you want. Just make sure that the shape has enough surface area so the jam doesn’t run out.
• Traditionally, for the cookies to stick together with the jam, they should be assembled while still warm, just make sure they have cooled slightly or else they will break.

Ingredients

• All Purpose Flour: Any all purpose flour should work for these linzer plätzchen I have not yet tried any other flours with this recipe.
• Almond Flour: Some recipes call for blanched almonds or other nuts that have been ground, but for ease I like to use almond flour.
• Powdered Sugar: These cookies use powdered sugar in the dough which keeps them soft, they are also dusted with powdered sugar immediately after baking.
• Butter: Butter adds moisture to the cookies and gives them their soft crumbly texture.
• Lemon Zest: Lemon zest adds a little flavor and brightness to the cookies.
• Jam: As mentioned in the tips, any jam will work. However, a jam that is relatively thick and smooth will work and look best. In terms of flavor I also prefer to use something more tart rather than sweet.

How to make Linzer Plätzchen

Make the Dough

• In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the soft butter, lemon zest, and powdered sugar. Start slow and then increase the speed to medium. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Add in the flour and almond flour and mix again until fully combined.
• Pour the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and bring it together into a smooth disk. Wrap the dough tight and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Shape the Cookies

• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Arrange two racks in the oven so that they divide it into thirds.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Roll the chilled cookie dough out on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to 1/4″ thickness. Use one larger cookie cutter to cut out as many cookies as possible.
• Transfer the large cookies to the lined baking sheets. Cut out the centers of half of the cookies with the smaller cookie cutter.
• The small cut outs can be baked as their own separate cookie or mixed back in with the remaining dough.
• Carefully bring the dough scraps back together and re roll it out. Cut out another round of cookies and repeat the process one more time.
• Leave at least 1″ between each cookie, they shouldn’t spread much but you want to make sure air can easily circulate around each cookie.

Bake the Cookies

• Place the two baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate and swap the baking sheets after 5 minutes to ensure even baking.
• Once the cookies have baked for 10 minutes, take them out of the oven and place on wire racks to cool briefly.

Finishing Touches

• After 3-4 minutes, while the cookies are still warm, flip the cookies without a center cut out, over. Then, place one tablespoon of jam into the center of each and slightly spread it out.
• Place one cookie with the center cut out over each cookie with jam on it and press down gently to sandwich them together.
• Sprinkle the surface of the sandwiched cookies with powdered sugar and leave to cool fully.

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