When I was a child I was not a big fan of jam (nor honey for that matter)… in the same way, anything with jam in it would always go to the bottom of my “I want to eat that” list. It was just too sweet for me. I used to always choose chocolate or fruit based desserts. Well, with age comes a change in taste. I find myself enjoying flavours that I did not like before… and jam is definitely one of these. I especially like jam filled cookies, like the ones I am sharing with you today. I think they also look beautiful and would make a great appearance at a classy tea party. Besides, they are made with almond meal and flour, and this gives them an extra crunch and a nicer flavour and texture than regular cookies. Linzer cookies are derived from a traditional Austrian torte, the Linzer Torte of which they are a “smaller” version. Though the name suggests that they were invented in the Austrian town of Linz, they are found in all the areas that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, including parts of Northern Italy. My little ones LOVED them and so did I! Enjoy!
Linzer Cookies
Not available The recipe for the most classic European cookies: Linzer Cookies.
Ingredients
- 315 gms – 2 ½ cups flour
- 100 gms – 2/3 cup almond meal
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 225 gms – 1 cup butter softened
- 135 gms – 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ lemon zest
- 1 pinch salt
- Confectioner's/Icing sugar for dusting
- Raspberry Jam
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, almond meal and cinnamon. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg, lemon zest and vanilla and mix well.
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Roll the dough into a 5 mm – 1/8” thick sheet. Put it in the fridge for a couple of hours (or in the freezer for a few minutes).
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When the dough is firm enough to cut out, make your shape. Make half a batch whole and half a batch with a hole in the middle. I used a specific cookie cutter for this, but you can make it by hand as well.
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Transfer the cut outs to a baking tray lined with baking paper. Put them in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up again (this will ensure that the cookies retain their shape when baked).
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Bake them at 175°C - 350°F for about 12 minutes. They have to remain whitish, so do not overcook them! Let them cool on the baking tray for five minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
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When ready to fill, invert a bottom cookie (the one without a hole so you have a nice flat base) and spread about ½ - 1 tsp of jam on it. Dust the top of a cookie (the one with a hole in it) with icing sugar, then gently place it on the top of the bottom cookie with the jam on top, making a sandwich cookie.
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Store for up to one week, flat and in one layer, in an airtight container.
I am wondering if almond flour is the same as almond meal? Or is almond meal just ground almonds? Also could you please tell me how to thicken the jam to get that chewy consistency? My cookies seem to slide and the jam seeps into the cookie by the next day.
Thanks
Hi Robyn! Thanks for your comment.
Almond meal is usually slightly more coarse than almond flour, but in the case of these cookies, you can use any of the two (I have tried making them with both).
I don’t usually thicken my jam for the filling. Are you sure your cookies were completely cold when you put your jam in? If they were even slightly warm, the heat could have caused the jam to melt and get absorbed in the cookie.
Those cookies are absolutely picture perfect! How pretty (and delicious I am sure).
I have always been a fan of jams and anything with jam as a matter of fact 🙂
Your cookies look perfect.
One of my favorite! After a day the taste is much better . Linzer need a day to be perfect.
Wow, Manu, your Linzer cookies are wonderful! I love cookies filled with jam, and these are amazing! Great job, they look perfect 🙂