Description of this recipe: These Linzer cookies, or Linzerkekse as they’re known in German-speaking regions, are a delightful festive treat that brings together the warmth of spices with the sweetness of jam, all encased in delicate, buttery shortbread. Perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a touch of cozy indulgence, these cookies are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat.
Why you will love this recipe:
- Festive Flavors: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves infuses each bite with a warm, comforting spice that perfectly complements the sweet jam filling. The clementine zest adds a bright, citrusy note that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Beautiful Presentation: The intricate cutout designs and dusting of icing sugar make these cookies visually stunning. They’re perfect for gifting, serving at holiday gatherings, or simply enjoying as a special treat for yourself.
- Buttery and Tender Texture: The combination of butter, cornflour, and flour creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is both delicate and satisfying.
- Customizable: You can easily customize these cookies by using different types of jam, changing the spices, or experimenting with various cutout shapes.
- Relatively Easy to Make: Despite their elegant appearance, these cookies are surprisingly simple to make. The dough comes together quickly, and the baking process is straightforward.
Ingredients:
- 100g (3 1/2 oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 50g (1 1/2 oz) golden caster (granulated) sugar
- Zest of 1 small clementine
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 25g (1 oz) cornflour (cornstarch)
- 145g (5 oz) plain (all purpose) flour
- Icing sugar, for dusting
- Edible lustre spray (optional)
- Smooth jam without bits (raspberry, apricot, or blackcurrant are excellent choices)
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (355 Fahrenheit) and line two baking sheets with baking parchment. This ensures that the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, salt, and clementine zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This step is crucial for creating a tender and flavorful base for the cookies. Use an electric mixer for best results, but you can also do this by hand if you prefer.
Step 3: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and mix well. The egg yolk adds richness and moisture to the dough, while the vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor. The spices create a warm, festive aroma that fills your kitchen as you bake.
Step 4: Add the cornflour and flour to the mixing bowl and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in tough cookies. Bring the dough together into a ball using your hands. If the dough feels too sticky, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
Step 5: Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll out the dough until it is about the thickness of a £1 coin (approximately 1mm). Use cookie cutters to cut out 20 circles. Use a smaller cutter to punch holes in the middle of half of the circles. This creates the signature Linzer cookie shape with a window to showcase the jam filling. To get 20 cookies, you may need to bring together the dough scraps carefully after cutting out the first batch, roll them out again, and cut out more shapes. Try not to work the dough too much, as this can result in tough biscuits.
Step 6: Transfer the cut-out biscuits to the prepared baking trays, leaving a small space between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm and have barely started to turn golden. Keep a close eye on the cookies, as they can burn quickly if overbaked.
Step 7: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before decorating. This prevents them from breaking or crumbling.
Step 8: Separate the top biscuits (the ones with the holes) from the bottom biscuits. Sieve a generous amount of icing sugar over the tops. This creates a beautiful, snowy effect. If desired, spray the tops with edible lustre spray for an extra touch of sparkle.
Step 9: Using an eating knife, carefully spread a thin layer of jam over each bottom biscuit. Be generous enough to cover the entire surface, but avoid using too much, as it can seep out when the cookies are assembled.
Step 10: Carefully place the decorated tops onto the jam-covered bottoms, making sure not to disturb the icing sugar. Gently press the top and bottom cookies together to secure them.
COOKING Rating:
Easy to Medium (depending on your experience with cookie making)
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve these cookies with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat.
- Arrange them on a platter as part of a festive dessert table.
- Package them in decorative boxes or bags as a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Enjoy them as a sweet ending to a holiday meal.
- Pair them with other traditional Christmas cookies for a delightful assortment.
Tips:
- Use high-quality butter for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature before creaming it with the sugar.
- Don’t overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
- Chill the dough if it becomes too sticky to work with.
- Use a smooth jam without bits for the filling.
- Dust the tops of the cookies with icing sugar after they have cooled completely.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 8-10 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutritional Information (per cookie): (Estimates, may vary depending on specific ingredients and jam used)
Calories: Approximately 120-150 Protein: 1-2g Sodium: 20-30mg
Conclusion
These Festive Spice Linzer Cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration or a wonderful way to bring some cheer to an ordinary day. The combination of warm spices, buttery shortbread, and sweet jam filling creates a flavor experience that is both comforting and sophisticated. Whether you’re baking them for yourself or gifting them to loved ones, these cookies are sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, put on some festive music, and enjoy the process of creating these beautiful and delicious treats. Happy baking!
Questions and Answers about this Recipe:
- Can I use different types of flour for this recipe? Yes, you can substitute some of the plain flour with almond flour for a nuttier flavor and slightly different texture. However, be mindful that almond flour absorbs more liquid than plain flour, so you might need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe accordingly. Using only almond flour is not recommended as it will not provide enough structure for the cookies.
- What kind of jam is best for Linzer cookies? Smooth jams without large chunks of fruit are ideal. Raspberry, apricot, and blackcurrant jams are popular choices. The key is to choose a jam that complements the spices in the cookie and has a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Seedless jams are also preferred for a smoother texture.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely! In fact, making the dough ahead of time and chilling it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight) can improve the texture of the cookies. Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender cookie. Just be sure to wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
- How do I prevent the cookies from spreading during baking? There are several things you can do to prevent the cookies from spreading:
- Use cold butter: Make sure your butter is cold before creaming it with the sugar.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can cause the cookies to spread.
- Chill the dough: As mentioned earlier, chilling the dough helps to relax the gluten and prevent spreading.
- Bake on a cool baking sheet: If your baking sheets are warm from a previous batch, the cookies are more likely to spread.
- Use parchment paper: Baking on parchment paper can also help to prevent spreading.
- How should I store Linzer cookies? Store the Linzer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to store them in the refrigerator to prevent them from becoming sticky. You can also freeze the baked cookies for longer storage. Just be sure to thaw them completely before serving. It’s best to freeze them without the jam filling and add the jam after thawing to prevent the cookies from becoming soggy.
