• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Hungry Happenings
  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Decorated Cookies
    • Decorated Cakes
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Everyday Desserts
    • Homemade Candy
    • Everyday Meals
    • Readers’ Gallery
    • Hungry Happenings Blog Posts
  • HOW TO
    • Chocolate Making Tips
    • Chocolate Making Course (video lessons)
    • Make Modeling Chocolate
      • Modeling Chocolate Recipe and Tutorial
      • How to Color Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Store and Work with Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Fix Greasy Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Fix Dry Modeling Chocolate
      • Use Colored Candy Melts to Make Candy Clay
    • Candy Clay Creations
    • How To Color White Chocolate and Candy Melts and Paint Candy Molds
    • How to Use Food Coloring Markers
  • HOLIDAYS
    • ALL HOLIDAY RECIPES
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
      • Hungry Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year’s Eve
    • MORE HOLIDAYS
      • Mother’s Day
      • Father’s Day
      • April Fools
      • Chinese New Year
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Day of the Dead
      • Earth Day
      • Mardi Gras
  • PARTY FOOD
    • Super Bowl
    • Graduation
    • Birthday Party
    • March Madness
    • Summer Fun
    • Baby Shower
    • Wedding Shower
    • School/Teacher
    • Movie and T.V. Characters
    • Kid’s Treats
    • Fun Party Recipes
  • MY COOKBOOKS
  • ABOUT
  • MY BLOGS
    • HowToMakeCerealTreats.com
    • HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    • HowToMakeEasyFudge.com
    • TheSugarAcademy.com

Linzer Cookies

Published: Aug 25, 2020 · Recipe by: Beth · This post may contain affiliate links.

Delicate almond cookies cut into pretty shapes are sandwiched together with a filling of raspberry preserves, lemon curd, or chocolate spread. Linzer Cookies can be cut into daisies, hearts, rounds, and even teddy bears.

A variety of heart, daisy, and round shaped linzer cookies filled with raspberry preserves, lemon curd and Nutella are arranged on a cooling rack.

If you have never tried a Linzer Cookie, you are really missing out.

If you ask my family which cookies they want me to bring to any family function, the list is short. It includes my Gumdrop Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and these Linzer Cookies.

What are Linzer Cookies?

  • They are delicate, buttery, nutty cookies traditionally sandwiched together with black currant or raspberry preserves or jam and dusted with a bit of powdered sugar.
    • Linzer Cookies are actually a dessert created to taste similar to an Austrian Linzertorte which has a crust made of flour mixed with ground almonds, sugar, egg yolks, lemon zest, and cinnamon and is filled with black currant preserves and is topped with a lattice crust.
  • The top cookie has a cut-out which allows the fruity preserves to show through, also making these cookies really pretty and festive.
  • The filling helps to soften the crisp cookies making them melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

A closeup image of a variety of Linzer Cookies shaped like daisies, hearts, and rounds set on a white plate.

I love that I can create festive Linzer Cookies for any occasion.

You can find special Linzer Cookie Cutters for just about every holiday. The cutters are made up of two cutters of different sizes. The first is typically around 3 inches in diameter and the other is between 1/2 inch and 1 inch.

You cut the bottom cookie using the large cutter then the top cookie gets cut using the large cutter and the small cutter. But you don’t need to use special Linzer Cookie Cutters. You can just use standard cookie cutters and a smaller cookie cutter to make just any shape.

Collage of images showing various Linzer Cookies including teddy bears, hearts, daisies and more.

Linzer Cookie Shapes

  • A traditional Austrian Linzer Cookie is round and has a circle cut out of the center.
    • The cut-out is known as “Linzer eyes” or in Austrian it’s “Linzer Augen”.
    • The cut-outs do not have to be round, however, other shapes like hearts work great too.
  • You can make simple daisy Linzer Cookies by:
    • using a 3-inch daisy cutter then cutting a 3/4 inch daisy out of the center of the top cookie,
    •  by using a special Daisy Linzer Cookie Cutter.
    • or by using a large 4 or 5-inch daisy cutter and a teardrop-shaped cutter to cut holes in the petals.
    • You can see my detailed step-by-step tutorial for making Linzer Cookie Daisies, here.
  • Have fun personalizing large heart-shaped Linzer Cookies using alphabet cutters.
    • See the tutorial and video for the “I ♥ Mom” Linzer Cookies, here.
  • Use holiday Linzer Cookie Cutters to make cookies for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Easter.

You can find some Linzer cookie cutters on Amazon. I earn a small commission for sales at no extra cost to you when you use the links in this post.

 

 
Collage of images showing how to cut Linzer Cookie Dough using a Teddy Bear Cutter then cutting a small heart out of half of the cookies and sandwiching them together with some raspberry jam.

  • Or make adorably cute Teddy Bear Linzer Cookies using a bear cookie cutter and a small heart cookie cutter. These would be wonderful cookies to make for Valentine’s Day, a Baby Shower, or Christmas.

There are just so many possibilities for shapes and sizes and fillings too.

Linzer Cookie Fillings:

  • Black Current Preserves or Jam is the traditional filling for Austrian Linzer Cookies.
  • Red Raspberry Preserves or Jam is a more traditional filling in the United States.
  • Any fruit flavored preserves or jam can be used based on personal preference.
  • Lemon Curd is an alternative filling that adds a lovely tart flavor that pairs beautifully with the almond cookie.
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Nutella) is an unconventional filling but it tastes amazing inside the crisp almond cookies.

What is the difference between a fruit preserve and a jam?

  • Jam is a cooked mixture of fruit and sugar with the option of adding pectin. The fruit is then puréed for a smooth texture.
  • Preserves are also a cooked mixture of fruit, sugar, and pectin, but the preserves contain chunks of fruit.

Either jam or preserves make great fillings for Linzer Cookies but jam is a little easier to spread. If you use preserves and the fruit chunks are too large, simply chop them a bit more.

Collage of images showing how to grind toasted almonds and sugar together to add to the Linzer Cookie dough.

Almonds are a key component in the Linzer Cookie Dough. They add flavor and a bit of crunch. I prefer using raw, blanched almond slivers (blanched nuts have their skins removed) because I can roast the nuts in a 350-degree oven for about 5-6 minutes (or in a skillet set over medium-low heat) to bring out their nutty flavor, allow them to cool, then grind them in a food processor.

Almonds vs. Almond Meal vs. Almond Flour

  • You can grind raw, blanched, slivered almonds with a bit of sugar in a food processor or blender rather than buy a bag of expensive almond meal for this recipe.
    • You need to add sugar to the food processor in order to prevent the ground almonds from turning into a paste.
    • You can use also use almond slices for this recipe. Just be sure to really keep an eye on the slices as they toast in the oven. They can burn really easily.
    • You can even use whole almonds with the skin on if you don’t mind your cookies having flecks of brown in them.
      • If you use raw almonds, you can roast them in the oven to bring out their nutty flavor or you can use roasted unsalted nuts.
  • You can also use almond meal or almond flour if you have it on hand.
    • Almond meal is made by processing raw and unsalted almonds that still have their skin. Once again your cookies will have tiny flecks of brown in them.
    • Almond flour is made by processing blanched almonds and it works great in this recipe.
    • If you use either almond meal or almond flour you can simply add all the sugar with the butter in the recipe.
    • You can even toast the almond meal or flour if you like. Spread it on a baking sheet and pop it in a warm 300-degree oven for about 4-5 minutes until you just start to smell the nutty aroma.
    • Be sure to allow it to cool completely before adding it to the cookie dough.
    • You can swap out 4 ounces (108 grams) which is 1 cup of almond flour for the balanced almond slivers

How to make Linzer Cookie Dough:

  • You’ll cream butter and sugar together.
  • Then add 2 egg yolks and vanilla.
    • I like to use vanilla bean paste whenever I make cookies. It doesn’t evaporate out like vanilla extract and it imparts a lovely pure vanilla flavor to the cookies.
  • Add the almond/sugar mixture and stir just to combine.
  • Whisk together a tablespoon of fresh lemon zest, salt, and flour then stir it into the dough.
  • If you like, you can add a teaspoon of cinnamon too.

 

Collage of images showing how to roll out and cut out Linzer Cookie Dough, then bake them and add fillings like raspberry preserves, lemon curd, and Nutella.

Cut out Linzer Cookies

  • It’s important to chill the dough before you roll it out.
    • Linzer Cookie dough is a bit dryer than cut-out cookie dough and it will hold together better once chilled.
  • You can roll the dough out onto a cutting board that has been dusted with flour or you can roll it out on a silicone baking mat without using any flour. Just be sure to flour your rolling pin so that it doesn’t stick.
    • I LOVE using a smooth silicone baking mat to make any cut-out cookies especially because I don’t have to add extra flour to the dough.
    • Roll out the dough on the silicone mat and cut out your cookies.
    • Then remove the excess dough and place the mat in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, just long enough for the cookies to firm up.
    • Then you can simply peel off the perfectly shaped Linzer Cookies and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
    • If you have several silicone mats you can simply bake the cookies right on the mat. You don’t even have to transfer them.
  • Then bake the cookies in a 350-degree oven for 8-12 minutes depending on the size.
    • Bake the whole cookies on one sheet and the cookies with the holes cut out on a separate baking sheet. The cookies with the holes will bake a bit faster than the whole cookies.
  • Allow the baked cookies to cool completely.
    • I like to allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then I transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • If you plan to serve the cookies that day then you can go ahead and fill them otherwise you might want to wait.
    • The baked cookies are rather crispy and once you fill them with preserves or jam they will soften.
    • I really like the Linzer Cookies once they have softened so I will fill mine up to a day in advance.
    • If you prefer a crispier cookie wait until an hour before serving to fill them.

How to store Linzer Cookies

  • Linzer Cookies taste best when eaten within a day or two or being baked and filled.
  • You can safely store Linzer Cookies filled with fruit preserves or jam or shelf-stable, store-bought lemon curd at room temperature for up to a few days.
    • The fruit in the preserves will eventually spoil if left at room temperature but the high sugar content acts as a temporary preservative making it safe to store at room temperature for 2-3 days.
    • If you have filled your cookies with Nutella you can store them for up to a week at room temperature.
  • It’s important to store Linzer Cookies in an airtight container like a metal cookie tin, a glass jar, or a plastic container.
  • You can also just store the un-filled cookies at room temperature for up to a week then fill them a few hours before serving.

Can I refrigerate or freeze Linzer Cookies?

  • Yes, you can refrigerate the cookies if you really want to.
  • Refrigerating almost any baked goods causes them to dry out and they can even develop a stale taste.
  • But if you feel more comfortable storing your filled Linzer Cookies in the refrigerator then layer them with wax or parchment paper, place them in a large zip-top bag and remove as much air as possible then place them in an airtight container before placing them in the fridge.
  • Allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature in their container for about an hour before serving them for the best flavor.

Freezing Cookies

  • I suggest freezing the cookies unfilled.
    • Place the cookies in a large zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Remove from the freezer and set the package on the counter for 2-3 hours to thaw before opening.
    • Remove the cookies from the bag then dust the tops with powdered sugar and fill them.
      • The cookies must be completely thawed before dusting with powdered sugar otherwise the sugar will melt into the cookie.
  • Filled cookies can also be frozen, but the jam will not freeze solid which can make the cookies much softer once thawed.
    • Be sure to layer the cookies with sheets of parchment paper in between to keep the cookies from sticking together.
    • Place the frozen cookies in the refrigerator overnight to thaw then bring them out and set them on the counter for a few hours before opening the bag.
    • The cookies may need a fresh dusting of powdered sugar too just be sure to cover the jam-filled hole with something like a small jar lid so that the jam doesn’t get covered in the white powdered sugar.

Linzer Cookie Video

Linzer Cookie Recipe

5 from 10 votes
A variety of heart, daisy, and round shaped linzer cookies filled with raspberry preserves, lemon curd and Nutella are arranged on a cooling rack.
Print
Linzer Cookies
Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 

Crispy almond cookies sandwiched together with a filling of raspberry preserves, lemon curd, or chocolate hazelnut spread. The filling shows through a hole in the top cookie that is also dusted with powdered sugar. 

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Austrian
Keyword: linzer cookies
Author: Beth
Ingredients
  • 1 cup blanched almond slivers
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 cups all purpose flour (260 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • optional 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • powdered sugar to dust over cookies
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup raspberry jam or preserves, lemon curd, or Nutella
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. Spread almonds out on a baking sheet, and toast for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown.

  3. Remove and pour nuts into the bowl of a food processor and let cool for at least 15 minutes.

  4. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and pulse until the nuts become finely ground.

  5. Whisk the flour, salt, lemon zest, and cinnamon (if using) together then set aside.

  6. Cream the butter and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar together in a large mixing bowl just until it becomes pale yellow.

  7. Beat in vanilla and the egg yolks until well combined.

  8. Mix in the ground almonds.

  9. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.

  10. Remove the dough from the bowl, divide it in half, then flatten it into two discs and place each half into a zip-top bag or wrap in plastic wrap.

  11. Refrigerate the dough for about 15-20 minutes.

  12. Dust a cutting board with flour or use a silicone mat.

  13. Roll 1 disc of chilled cookie dough out to 1/8 inch thickness onto the cutting board or silicone mat.

  14. Cut out as many shapes as you can using Linzer cutters or cookie cutters.

  15. Remove excess dough, re-roll, and continue to cut out shapes.

  16. Chill cut-outs in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.

  17. Move cookies to a parchment lined baking sheet. (see tutorial for tips)
  18. Bake for 8-12 minutes until lightly golden brown. The time will depend on the size of the cookies.

  19. Roll the remaining disc of dough and cut out the same number and same shapes as before re-rolling as needed using the Linzer cutter fitted with the small cutter (which will cut the hole at the same time) or using traditional cookie cutters.

  20. If needed, cut a smaller hole in the center of each cookie using 1/2 inch to 1-inch cutters.

  21. Remove excess dough re-roll and cut out more cookies.

  22. Freeze the cut-out dough for 5-10 minutes then move to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

  23. Bake for about 8-12 minutes until lightly golden brown.

  24. Allow all the cookies to cool completely.

  25. Dust the cookies with the holes in the middle with powdered sugar.

  26. Spread preserves, jam, curd, or chocolate spread on the whole cookies.

  27. Place one powdered sugar-dusted cut-out cookie on top of the jam and gently sandwich the cookies together.

Recipe Notes

Linzer Cookies are best if served the day they are filled.

See the tutorial for storage instructions. 

You can swap out 4 ounces (108 grams) which is 1 cup of almond flour for the balanced almond slivers

Recipe adapted from the Joy of Baking.

snowflake filled snowman cookies arranged on a blue watercolor background with snowflake sprinkles scattered in between the cookies

Snowflake Filled Snowman Cookies

Harry Potter Butterbeer Cookie Mugs with Butterscotch Candy Glass and Butterbeer Flavored Royal Icing

Butterbeer Cookie Mugs with Candy Glass

Christmas Spritz Cookies - snowman, snowflakes, trees, holly, reindeer, and candy canes

Spritz Cookies

About the Author, Beth Jackson Klosterboer

Beth is a professional chocolatier, recipe developer, event planner, and cookbook author who loves to make fun food.

Read More about Beth...

Previous Post: « Zucchini Fritter Footballs
Next Post: Halloween Mickey Mouse Oreo Cookies »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda

    May 7, 2021 at 2:54 pm

    Perfect easy recipe! They came out wonderfully with the perfect texture. I have tried many recipes and this one is by far the best! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Beth

      May 7, 2021 at 5:37 pm

      I am so happy to know your cookies turned out perfectly. I’m glad you liked the recipe. It’s one of my family’s favorite cookies!

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth

    November 16, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    I can’t wait to make these for the holidays. Are you able to freeze the dough for baking another day?

    Reply
    • Beth

      November 16, 2020 at 9:37 pm

      Yes, you can freeze the dough. Wrap it well in plastic wrap then place it in a zip-top bag. I’d suggest thawing it in the refrigerator overnight.

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Katherine

    August 25, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    This looks delicious! Where do you recommend finding the right cookie cutters? I’m searching on amazon but would love to know where you got yours – they look perfect!

    Reply
    • Beth

      August 25, 2020 at 6:00 pm

      Thanks, Katherine.

      I used a set of Wilton Linzer Cookie Cutters but I’m sure many other brands will work well too. I went ahead and added some image links to Linzer Cookie Cutter sets to the post so you can see some that will work well.

      Enjoy the cookies!

      Reply
  4. Catherine F Thurston

    April 6, 2020 at 11:05 am

    Can I get Linzer tats mailed to me?

    Reply
    • Beth

      April 6, 2020 at 7:17 pm

      I’m not sure what you mean. What is a tat?

      Reply
  5. Karl

    January 19, 2019 at 6:35 am

    This looks so yummy and I’m sure the kids will enjoy making them as much as eating them!

    Reply
  6. Pamela

    January 15, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    Linzer…..not just for Christmas any more.

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 19, 2019 at 6:49 am

      Definitely not. 🙂 The first time I made Linzer Cookies was for Mother’s Day. I love that you can cut them into all sorts of shapes for just about any occasion.

      Reply
  7. Sharon Perry

    January 14, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    I love your tutorial with all great tips! I was given a set of Linzer cutters, will certainly use these for my valentine luncheon.

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 14, 2019 at 7:49 pm

      I’m so glad you found the tutorial helpful. Enjoy baking your Linzer Cookies for Valentine’s Day. It’s a wonderful time to make them for a party.

      Reply
      • Jen DiMartino

        March 4, 2022 at 9:32 pm

        Hi Beth, thank you so much for sharing your recipe, can you please tell me how much almond flour we should be measuring out if we are already going with pre-ground almond flour? Thank you very much!!!!

        Reply
        • Beth

          March 4, 2022 at 10:49 pm

          Hi Jen,

          You can swap out 4 ounces (108 grams) which is 1 cup of almond flour for the balanced almond slivers.

          Enjoy the cookies!

          Reply
  8. Janis

    January 14, 2019 at 10:05 am

    This is by farthe best set of instructions I’ve ever seen for a cookie recipe and I’ve read thousands. I just baked some linzer cookies before seeing your recipe but will try yours for sure. You answered all the questions I had including almond meal vs flour, when to fill with jam, if they can be frozen and how they should be stored. Incredibly informative. I loved it!

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 14, 2019 at 7:50 pm

      I’m so happy you found the instructions really helpful. I do hope you give this recipe a try. I’m sure you’ll love it.

      Reply
  9. Cheryl

    January 14, 2019 at 9:25 am

    Oh.My.WORD. These cookies are incredible!! Thanks for all the help with such detailed instructions and photos!

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 14, 2019 at 9:31 am

      Thanks Cheryl. I’m so happy to share my experience with you all!

      Reply
  10. Heather

    January 14, 2019 at 9:10 am

    These cookies are beautiful!! I especially love the teddy bear with the heart 🙂

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 14, 2019 at 9:28 am

      Thanks Heather. I agree, the teddy bear cookies are my favorite too. 🙂

      Reply
  11. The Partiologist

    January 14, 2019 at 8:35 am

    The cookies are so beautiful and delicate like you said! Looks like I need to get my Linzer cutters out again!

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 14, 2019 at 9:28 am

      Any time of year is the perfect time to make Linzer Cookies. I’m sure you will have some fun designs.

      Reply
  12. Alli

    January 14, 2019 at 8:24 am

    These are such fun and pretty Cookies!! I adore making these every year!

    Reply
  13. Tara

    January 14, 2019 at 8:17 am

    Aww, these remind me of my Oma Rabal. She went all out for the holidays. Can’t wait to try them — thanks for all of the great tips!

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 14, 2019 at 9:29 am

      I love that these remind you of your Oma. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Kara

    January 14, 2019 at 12:06 am

    I’ve been wanting to try my hand at Linzer cookies for years, I even bought some tiny cookie cutters. Your recipe looks so yummy, and I love that they have toasted almonds in them. I need to just do it!

    Reply
    • Beth

      January 14, 2019 at 9:30 am

      I do hope you give them a try. I’m pretty sure you will love them.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

WELCOME!

See all recipe categories

The Sugar Academy Chocolate Making Courses

Footer

Popular Kid Friendly Recipes

Cookie Monster Rice Krispie Treats with candy eyes, Tootsie Roll mouths, and mini Nutter Butter Cookies
Halloween Mickey Mouse Oreo Cookies decorated using candy clay are fun to make for your Halloween parties.
Turn Reese's Cups into sweet little otters then use them to create some adorable Sea Otter Cupcakes. These treat will be perfect for you Finding Dory Party.
Mickey Mouse Galaxy Cookies - chocolate cookies topped with chocolate ganache and galaxy sprinkles.
Decorate this cute Olaf Mickey Cake for your Disney Frozen party. It's easy to create using a simple cake decorating technique.
This Winter Wonderland White Chocolate Popcorn speckled with candy snowflakes and blue sprinkles would make a great treat for a Frozen party, a nice gift for Christmas, or a wintertime snack.

Hungry Happenings is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and occasionally writes sponsored posts which will be disclosed within the post. We value your privacy. Please read our Privacy Policy, Disclosure, and Terms of Service.

Copyright © 2023 Hungry Happenings