Cookies/ Dessert/ Recipes/ Seasonal Recipes

Classic Linzer Cookies

You know why I love linzer cookies? How could you not love something that is just so darn pretty? It’s cookie-art, that’s what it is.

Two thin hazelnut shortbread cookies sandwiched together with raspberry jam and topped with powdered sugar gets my vote, that’s for sure. Plus, these cookies remind me of Christmas and it’s never too early to start making Christmas cookies, is it?!

January might be too early.

But October surely isn’t!


This recipe is from back in my old Cordon Bleu days, and is one that I had to make a few times while in school. The ingredients were originally written in ounces and grams so this morning I converted it to better adapt the home kitchen. I’ll leave the original measurements at the bottom though so if you have a scale and want to try the original version, you can!

Ready? Here’s what you need for success:

Never tried a hazelnut? Now’s the time!

Hazelnuts remind me of Europe for some reason. I like to throw ’em in my granola and make trail mix with them. Most of all though, I like to consume them in their purest, most natural form.

Duh.

But, for our purposes today, we shall be grinding them up…into a “meal”, if you will.

This is pretty easy if you have a VitaMix or food processor. If you don’t have either of those two things though, I’d suggest trying a blender. Or you could go totally old school and put your nuts in a large plastic bag, zip it up and whack the bag with a meat mallet.

Whatever gets the job done.

You’re going to use the standard “creaming method” for this cookie. That just means you cream your butter and sugar together first, add your egg and vanilla and then add the dry ingredients last.

Mmmmmm buuuuuuuuuutter

That was easy. The hard part is having the patience to let the dough chill out in the fridge for an hour or so.

People like me don’t like to wait for things. We like instant gratification and fast baking cookies.

This type of cookie is very good for people like me.

Yoga is also good for people like me.

Take half of the dough out from the fridge and roll out. Now because these are traditional linzer cookies, you’ll need the proper gear. And by gear I mean cookie cutters. Linzer cookies are known for having a little hole in the center of each, displaying the pretty raspberry jam.Β  Back when I was in Texas last month, I stopped at the cutest little kitchen shop in Fredricksburg and actually found some fall themed linzer cookie cutters with fun shapes like maple leaves, squirrels and crescent moons.

Aren’t they adorable?!

You can find linzer cookie cutters at any big kitchen shop (William Sonoma, Sur la Table or even Amazon). You could also probably use a sewing thimble as a makeshift mini cookie cutter as well. Just a thought.

So, roll out the first batch of cookies with no holes in the middle and then punch holes in the second. That way you’ll be able to keep things straight.

Bake each batch at 350 for twelve minutes. The edges should start to turn brown when they’re done.

Wait until they cool, then spread a thin smear of raspberry jam on the bottoms…

And dust the tops (the cut out cookies) with powdered sugar. Sandwich the two cookies together and you’re done!

Nothing too terribly difficult, right? Like I said, the hardest part is waiting for the dough to chill.

Here’s the recipe!

Classic Linzer Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen sandwich cookies

10 oz flour (2 cups)

6 oz sugar (1 cup)

5 oz ground hazelnuts (1 cup)

1.6 oz egg (1 egg)

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 tsp vanilla

1.5 tsp cinnamon

pinch of ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

Cream together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla while mixing on low and continue to mix until everything is well combined.

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add these to the butter and sugar mixture and blend on low until just combined. Roll dough in a log form and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least an hour (preferably two or three).

Preheat the oven to 350 and take out half of the linzer dough from the fridge. Working quickly (this dough gets soft reallyyyy fast), roll out the dough and punch out fluted circles with a linzer cookie cutter. Bake these circles for about twelve minutes, or until the edges start to brown.

As the first batch cools, take out the dough for the second batch, roll it out and punch with cutters. This time, punching a small hole in the center of each cookie. Bake for twelve minutes.

When cookies are cool, dust powered sugar on the halves with holes in the middle. Smear a thin layer of raspberry jam on the other cookie and then sandwich cookies together. Voila!

**These cookies (without jam and powered sugar) freeze exceptionally well. When you’re ready to serve them, just take them out of the freezer, assemble and eat!

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  • Tabitha (From Single to Married)
    October 7, 2010 at 7:26 am

    oh my heavens! These look scrumptious!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    October 7, 2010 at 7:26 am

    Ohhh these look awesome! Linzer torte was always one of my favorite desserts and you make it look almost easy!

  • Tiffany (Stuffed with Fluff)
    October 7, 2010 at 7:30 am

    It’s never too early for Christmas! I may have already started listening to a Christmas carol here and there … haha

    Those cookies look amazing!

  • cathy b. @ brightbakes.com
    October 7, 2010 at 7:33 am

    These are so pretty! And with the hazlenuts, they’ve got to be tasty as well! I’ve been wanting to make linzer cookies forever and ever, and just “hadn’t gotten around to it”. That must change.
    As for it being early to start baking christmas cookies…..I’m right with you…I can’t WAIT to be caught up in the holiday baking buzz…:)
    Love
    Cathy B. @ brightbakes
    P.S. I think your blog just keeps gettin’ better n better! Thanks for sharing.

  • Andrea
    October 7, 2010 at 7:33 am

    How have I never heard of Linzer cookies before? I’m a cookie addict. I love Giada’s hazelnut cookies…I make them every year around the holidays. And I’m so with you…I could decorate for christmas right now!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    October 7, 2010 at 7:34 am

    I have never made linzer cookies, but they look divine Jenna! I think I need to whip up a batch.

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
    October 7, 2010 at 7:35 am

    Sigh. Nutella and Europe. After living there for a while and moving back, I miss the fact that every gas station you entered had stacks of individual Nutellas ready for you to enjoy on your road trip.

    Thanks for the mental trip back!

  • Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards)
    October 7, 2010 at 7:37 am

    these are beautiful! they look amazing. talk about impressing friends. or just eating yummy food. your blog is lovely, jenna! i always view food as art when i am reading it πŸ™‚

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    October 7, 2010 at 7:37 am

    These are my husbands favorite cookie! I make them for him every Christmas and Valentines πŸ™‚

  • Kathryn
    October 7, 2010 at 7:41 am

    Ok, seriously? I gained a pound after looking at these pictures. I’m going to go put elastic waistband pants on.

  • Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
    October 7, 2010 at 7:42 am

    OH MY GOODNESS! This just made my Thursday πŸ™‚ I’ve always been too intimidated to make these on my own. Love the photos!

  • hippierunner
    October 7, 2010 at 7:43 am

    Awesome recipe! I love hazelnuts!

  • Amanda
    October 7, 2010 at 7:43 am

    Cute cookie cutters get me every time!

  • Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
    October 7, 2010 at 7:44 am

    Yumm…I’ve never tried to make Linzer cookies for some reason, but have always loved them. Thanks for reminding me that that is something I should change! πŸ™‚

  • elleneatsbeets
    October 7, 2010 at 7:45 am

    girl you have me drooling on my computer every.single.day. These look fab, can’t wait to try them! So jealous of your amazing job

  • jenna
    October 7, 2010 at 7:48 am

    mmm shortbread cookies are perfect in everyway!! i love your little cookie cutters! πŸ™‚

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    October 7, 2010 at 7:56 am

    these are the CUTEST! i love those cookie cutters too…absolutely perfect for fall πŸ™‚

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    October 7, 2010 at 8:04 am

    I love Linzer cookies…my aunt always brings them to Christmas. They’re also great for gifting because they’re adorable.

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    October 7, 2010 at 8:05 am

    I have definitely already started to think abotu what I will bake for Christmas. These cookies are probably going to go in the Christmas baskets! They look delicious, festive, and I love hazelnut. Basically, I am sold πŸ˜€

  • Angharad
    October 7, 2010 at 8:08 am

    These look fan-freaking-tastic. They remind me of jammy dodgers which are biscuits (cookies) we have in England. Look em up. They are old school and lunch box esque. These look a little more “afternoon tea” to me, and that is not a bad thing. Going on my to-make list!

  • Amanda
    October 7, 2010 at 8:09 am

    Yum, Yum, Yum!!!! I have some homemade no-sugar stawberry jam that I canned this summer. It is a bit tart and I wasn’t sure how to use it. I think these cookies would add the perfect amount of sweetness to pair with the jam. I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks Jenna!

  • Lauren at KeepItSweet
    October 7, 2010 at 8:12 am

    i’m not really into linzer cookies but your pictures are gorgeous

  • Camille
    October 7, 2010 at 8:20 am

    These truly are gorgeous cookie!

  • katy @ a shot of life
    October 7, 2010 at 8:21 am

    Definitely not too early for Christmas cookies πŸ™‚ I’ve never heard of linzer cookies though, they look delicious!

  • R @ Learning As I Chop
    October 7, 2010 at 8:22 am

    These look good but I’m still afraid of rolling dough and cookie cutters. Must conquer this fear

  • grocery goddess jen
    October 7, 2010 at 8:25 am

    Wow, I’ve never made those before, but you make them look wonderful. And these are fall cookies now, not Christmas cookies!

    Also, the only thing I want to disagree with from your post yesterday is that your blog IS a healthy living blog. If making cookies and drinking wine and enjoying life isn’t healthy, I don’t know what is.

    • Elizabeth
      October 7, 2010 at 9:24 am

      Well said!!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
    October 7, 2010 at 8:26 am

    I have never thought of grinding nuts by whacking at them….I am SO using this method!

  • Laughter-Loving Stacy
    October 7, 2010 at 8:29 am

    Oooh LINZER. Sounds delightful πŸ˜€

  • Maria @ Oh Healthy Day
    October 7, 2010 at 8:31 am

    You make it look so easy and elegant! P.S. Sur La Table it the greatest store ever. I have to be drug out of there kicking and screaming.

  • eatmovelove
    October 7, 2010 at 8:32 am

    So, now you’ve made me want to make Molasses cookies for some reason…

    Or Jam-Jams – molasses cookies with the Jam in the middle.

    And, it’s never too early for any type of cookie πŸ˜‰

  • AllieNic @ Frisky Lemon
    October 7, 2010 at 8:33 am

    Your blog makes me smile!

    I made heart shaped linzer cookies for my BF for valentine’s day! A heart shaped cookie with a heart shaped jam window…I think it was a Martha Stewart recipe. I used cherry jam instead of raspberry…delicious, but definitely not as pretty as yours!

  • Krystina
    October 7, 2010 at 8:34 am

    Such beautiful cookies!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers
    October 7, 2010 at 8:42 am

    I’m not a big fan of jam in my cookies (I think it’s a texture thing) but the cookie part sounds so good that I might need to give it a try anyways….maybe filled with Nutella instead πŸ˜‰

    • jenna
      October 7, 2010 at 8:54 am

      I ate one with nutella last night and thought I died and went to heaven…seriously!

  • Angela
    October 7, 2010 at 8:52 am

    So totally making these!

  • Rachel @ The Avid Appetite
    October 7, 2010 at 8:57 am

    I love holiday cookies! It’s really the best to bake around the holidays. I might give these a go this year! Plus anything with jam makes me happy.

  • Samantha
    October 7, 2010 at 9:02 am

    My grandmother makes a linzer cookie every Christmas, but uses almond meal. MMMMMMMM.

  • Catherine Hudson
    October 7, 2010 at 9:05 am

    YUM, reading this made me hungrier than I was before!!! x

  • Jennifer
    October 7, 2010 at 9:06 am

    Hi jenna!
    I hope that you don’t mind some feedback! I love you and your blog, therefore I have “tuned in” every day for the past two years, so I hope we can openly communitcate;)
    I lov(ed) your blog for the healthy ispriation on both eating, fitness and overall wellness and good living! I have noticed the change in your returning back to your old culinary roots and while i also have an apprecation for your background and baked goods, I really miss your “old” way of blogging. I desperately miss the healthier recipies. the most recent “finds” from Trader Joes or Whole Foods (or wherever)!! I also miss hearing about how far you ran or what yoga class or workout you recently tried or simply got tired of! I even miss seeing your grocery purchases-lol! Finally, I miss more coverage on your social life in the most GEORGOUS place on earth! You always gave me ideas and inspiration on all of the above!!

    Anyhow, can you return to some of your “old” ways!? Please, please!! Even if you dedicated one or two blogs a week to your “healthy find” or healthy recipe of week? Just an idea! If nothing else, can you comment on the change? I feel as though there are baked goods every day that i log in (perhaps you don’t realize, so your reader should be the one to share)!

    xo-jen

    • kristin
      October 8, 2010 at 8:37 am

      I am also interested to see the response to this. I LOVE the new format, the new recipes, the funny anecdotes and everything else new about the blog….but I’m not gonna lie, I kind of miss the healthier side of things too! Something every now and then (like today’s salad post, yay!) would be great. Just for practical purposes….trying to prepare healthy meals to fill most of our daily portions, I used to always look forward to your ideas and insight! Thanks for all you do and keep it up – this blog never fails to make me smile πŸ™‚

      Oh, and I cannot wait to make these cookies!!

      • jenna
        October 8, 2010 at 8:46 am

        thanks guys! I really appreciate your feedback! I’ve always been health-minded and will always be, but my true passion lies in baking and pastry. I’m very glad that I made the switch from food journaling because it just wasn’t expressive of who I really am…and I hope that in the days that come you will fun meals and photos that inspire you to get back in the kitchen and try new things!

  • Toronto Girl West
    October 7, 2010 at 9:10 am

    Lintzer cookies are amongs my absolute favourite! In fact, for years now they have been my go-to Christmas cookie.

    I use a recipe out of a Williams-Sonoma Christmas baking book, I bought a couple of years back. Perhaps this year I will give yours a try.

    Again – thanks for sharing! πŸ™‚

  • Ada
    October 7, 2010 at 9:30 am

    Those look absolutely delicious!!! I can’t wait to make them…maybe this weekend!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    October 7, 2010 at 9:32 am

    I wanted to start making holiday treats in July – is that too early? These look incredible!

  • Sana
    October 7, 2010 at 9:33 am

    I feel like I am missing out on this whole Christmas deal b/c I am Indian. I feel like I need to join in on the celebration with some cookies πŸ˜‰
    Amen?

  • Lauren
    October 7, 2010 at 9:33 am

    These are by far the hardest cookie I have tried to make. Gosh, you make them look so easy. And DELICIOUS!!

  • Maya
    October 7, 2010 at 9:34 am

    I think more recipes should be written with egg in ounces. Not all eggs are created equal and the same size!

    • jenna
      October 7, 2010 at 9:36 am

      true fact! I always buy large eggs at the store but seeing the weight in ounces is interesting!

  • Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness
    October 7, 2010 at 9:41 am

    Great recipe and post! Linzer cookies are a Holiday must.

    I love that I can head to Eat, Live, Run a couple times a day and find fun recipes (for stuff I’d actually like to make) and cheeky commentary.

  • Kristin
    October 7, 2010 at 11:04 am

    These are my dads favorite cookies and I can’t wait to make them for him tomorrow. I usually make a treat once a week and it was going to be something involving pumpkin puree but these are just too cute.

  • Moni's Meals
    October 7, 2010 at 11:25 am

    I am impressed~ that had to take some patience to make and bake!
    Love hazelnuts. Well done! πŸ™‚

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    October 7, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Baking cookies, baking cutout cookies, and filling them with jelly to make sandwich cookies = my childhood with my grandma! Oh I miss her so πŸ™‚ I miss those memories. I can’t wait to start baking holiday cookies with my daughter this year; she’s 3.5 years so just the perfect age to start really making a good and proper mess in the kitchen with me…haha! I love sandwich cookies of all kinds! YUM!!

  • Jessica@tastyandtrim
    October 7, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Those babies look delicious! It is never too early for Christmas-y cookies. Christmas music maybe, but not cookies. I enjoy them year-round πŸ™‚

  • Sammi
    October 7, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    These are my favorite cookies!!! You should have a contest to win these.. because I am not “skilled” enough to make these. Or maybe I am too lazy.. either one!

  • Nikka B
    October 7, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    I C A N N O T wait to make these cookies!
    Perfect for the holidays!!!

  • stacey-healthylife
    October 7, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Those are so pretty and very fancy looking.

  • Tyler
    October 7, 2010 at 4:05 pm

    My sister-in-law works at that little kitchen store!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life
    October 7, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    I’ve never heard of Linzer cookies- they’re so pretty!

  • Dee
    October 7, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    Quote:Hazelnuts remind me of Europe for some reason. I like to throw β€˜em in my granola and make trail mix with them. Most of all though, I like to consume them in their purest, most natural form.

    *insert picture of nutella* + DUH

    LMAO! That right there totally made my day!

    ps. I love Linzer cookies too! But mostly for eating. πŸ˜‰ I don’t actually make them! Maybe one day. πŸ™‚

  • Lindsey
    October 7, 2010 at 7:03 pm

    Anyone else named Lindsey (or any other spelling of that name–Lindsay, etc), think that maybe these cookies are named for us?

  • Amber K
    October 7, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    I have seen these a million times and yet I don’t think I have actually ever tried them! WHAT? Crazy, that shall change soon.

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    October 8, 2010 at 7:27 am

    You make everything look so easy. It gives me courage! PS. It’s never to early to get into the holiday mood!

  • Abby
    October 8, 2010 at 7:36 am

    I bought raw hazelnuts at TJ’s the other week and then realized that I don’t really like raw hazelnuts, so they’ve just been sitting in my pantry. Now I have a recipe to use them for! Thanks!

  • Christena
    October 8, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Why I LOVE this blog: I never would have dreamed that I could make something like this. I’m going to try this weekend!

  • Jil
    October 9, 2010 at 7:47 am

    These look wonderful!!!

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  • jessica
    November 20, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I just made the dough, and its chilling. It seemed really crumbly, then I realized that the recipie calls for 8 ounces of butter, but one stick is only 4 oz. Do you think they’ll still work, or should I start over? I only added the 4 ounces.

    • jenna
      November 21, 2010 at 6:57 am

      You need one stick of butter like I wrote. You’re right though–one stick is 4 ounces, not 8 ounces! Regardless though, you still need one stick….so, you’re good! It IS a crumbly dough–that’s why it has to chill πŸ™‚ let me know how they turn out!

      • Connie
        November 7, 2012 at 9:55 am

        I’m confused… do we need 8 ounces or 4?

  • Sara
    November 22, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Hi. Your blog is like a train wreck. I really need to stop going to it because I start craving sweets for no reason but I find myself going back just to look. And then bake. And then eat. Zoops.

    • jenna
      November 22, 2010 at 7:48 pm

      yum.

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    January 25, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    mmm, linzer biscuits are one of my favourite types of biscuits, these look delicious!

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  • Jordan
    December 28, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Hi Jenna,

    I found your recipe through a Google search of linzer cookie recipes and I tried it the other day – delightful! They were so good. I’ve also found myself reading through more of your posts and I love your blog! Looking forward to keeping up with it. πŸ™‚

    Jordan

  • Lauren
    February 14, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    Hi Jenna, I just made these from the link in your Valentines post–but when I finished the dough it was still very crumbly, and didn’t resemble your dough at all. I was wondering, is it 1 stick or 1 cup of butter? Thank you so much for writing such a great blog πŸ™‚