Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies

Rating: 4 stars

A bakery descendant of a torte developed in Linz, Austria, linzer cookies are a holiday favorite. Our raspberry-almond treats are an homage to that classic cookie, and while baking the sweets requires quite a few steps, the end result is absolutely worth the work (and the wait). You’ll make a shortbread-like dough, half of which you’ll cut into the base cookie, and half of which receive an interior cut-out. After baking, you’ll connect the two halves with a dot of raspberry jam and dusty the top with a bit of confectioners’ sugar. The finished sandwiches are as delicious as they are gorgeous.

By Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez

Gallery

Victor Schrager

Recipe Summary

hands-on:
1 hr
total:
5 hrs
Yield:
Makes 36 cookies
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Heat oven to 350° F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes; let cool.

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  • In a food processor, process the almonds and ¼ cup of the brown sugar until the almonds are finely ground.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

  • Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the almond mixture, then the flour mixture, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).

  • Divide the dough in half, shape into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.

  • Heat oven to 350° F. On a lightly-floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a ⅛-inch thickness. Using a 2- to 2 ½-inch round cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds and place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Using a ¾- to 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the centers from half of the cookies. Reroll and cut the scraps as necessary.

  • Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

  • Sprinkle the confectioners’ sugar on the cookies with the holes. Spread 1 teaspoon jam on the remaining cookies and top with the sugared cookies. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
130 calories; calories from fat 59; fat 7g; saturated fat 3g; cholesterol 19mg; sodium 38mg; protein 2g; carbohydrates 17g; sugars 9g; fiber 1g; iron 1mg; calcium 14mg.
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