Ah, the holiday season! It’s that magical time of year when the air is filled with the sweet scent of baking and the joy of sharing delicious treats with loved ones. Making cookies is one of my favorite traditions, and there’s something so special about Christmas Linzer Cookies. These delightful little gems, with their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet jam filling, perfectly capture the essence of Christmas. They’re not just a treat; they’re a way to spread love and joy! Whether you’re leaving them out for Santa or gifting them to friends, these cookies are sure to bring smiles all around. Trust me, once you take a bite of these festive delights, you’ll be hooked on their charm and flavor!
Ingredients List
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to cookie magic! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these delightful Christmas Linzer Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
Make sure your butter is nice and soft for easy mixing—trust me, it makes a world of difference! And feel free to get creative with the jam; I love raspberry, but any of your favorite flavors will work beautifully here. Let’s get baking!
How to Prepare Christmas Linzer Cookies
Making Christmas Linzer Cookies is a delightful process that fills your kitchen with festive cheer! Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can follow along easily.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Mix
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden. While that’s heating up, grab a bowl and mix together the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt. This step is super important because it helps to distribute the flavors before we add in the wet ingredients!
Preparing the Dough
Now, let’s bring our dough to life! Add the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract to your dry mixture. I like to use a hand mixer or a wooden spoon to combine everything until it’s nice and smooth. Once you’ve got a lovely dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is key—it helps the cookies hold their shape when we cut them out!
Shaping and Baking
After chilling, roll out your dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. You want it to be thick enough to hold its shape but not so thick that it loses that melt-in-your-mouth quality. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes—don’t forget to cut a small hole in the center of half of them for that signature Linzer look! Place the cookies on a baking sheet and spread a generous teaspoon of raspberry jam on each one. Top with your cut-out cookies and bake for 12-15 minutes until they’re lightly golden. Keep an eye on them; you want a gentle golden hue, not a brown one! Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar. And voilà, you’ve mastered the art of Christmas Linzer Cookies!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s super easy to make, even for beginner bakers!
- Perfect for holiday gifting—who wouldn’t love a box of these festive cookies?
- Completely customizable! Use different jams like apricot, strawberry, or even chocolate for a fun twist.
- A classic family favorite that brings back sweet memories and creates new ones.
- They look beautiful on any cookie platter, adding a touch of elegance to your holiday spread.
- Great for kids to help with; rolling and cutting is always a fun activity!
Tips for Success
To ensure these Christmas Linzer Cookies turn out perfectly every time, I’ve got a few pro tips that I swear by. Trust me, they’ll make your baking experience so much smoother!
- Keep the Dough Cool: Chilling the dough is crucial! It not only helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking but also makes it easier to roll out. If the dough starts to get too warm while you’re working with it, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes. Your future self will thank you!
- Use Quality Jam: The jam filling is the star of the show, so don’t skimp on quality! I love using homemade raspberry jam, but any high-quality fruit preserve will enhance the flavor. Plus, you can get fun with flavors—try apricot or even a spiced cranberry jam for a festive twist!
- Dust with Powdered Sugar Just Before Serving: For that picture-perfect finish, wait until you’re ready to serve the cookies before dusting them with powdered sugar. This way, they’ll look fresh, and the sugar won’t absorb moisture from the cookies, keeping them beautiful and tasty!
- Experiment with Shapes: Don’t hesitate to get creative with your cookie cutters! Festive shapes like stars, hearts, or even holiday-themed designs can add an extra touch of cheer to your cookie trays. Just remember to cut out the center on half of the cookies for that classic Linzer look!
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies while they bake. You want them to be a lovely golden color rather than brown. If they start to brown too early, take them out! They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be well on your way to making the most delectable Christmas Linzer Cookies that’ll impress everyone during the holiday season!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve baked and cooled your delicious Christmas Linzer Cookies, it’s important to store them properly to keep them fresh and tasty! I like to place them in an airtight container, layering them gently with parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. This method keeps them soft and prevents any jam from oozing out. You can store them at room temperature for about a week, but trust me, they probably won’t last that long!
If you want to keep them for a longer period, you can also freeze them! Just make sure they’re completely cooled first, then wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay delicious for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight. No need to reheat—just dust with a little more powdered sugar for that fresh-out-of-the-oven look and flavor!
With these simple storage tips, you can enjoy your Christmas Linzer Cookies throughout the holiday season—or even save some for a cozy winter treat! Yum!
Nutritional Information
When it comes to enjoying these festive Christmas Linzer Cookies, it’s nice to know what you’re indulging in! Here’s a breakdown of the estimated nutritional information per cookie:
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
These delightful cookies are a little indulgent but oh-so-worth it for the joy they bring during the holidays! Just remember, moderation is key—allow yourself to savor each sweet bite while sharing them with loved ones. Happy baking!
FAQ Section
Here are some common questions I get about making these delightful Christmas Linzer Cookies. I hope they help you in your baking adventures!
What type of jam works best?
I absolutely love raspberry jam for these cookies, but feel free to use any jam or fruit preserve you enjoy! Apricot, strawberry, or even a spiced cranberry jam can add a fun twist to your cookies. Just make sure it’s a quality jam with a good flavor!
Can I substitute butter?
While butter gives that rich flavor and texture, you can substitute it with margarine or even a vegan butter alternative if you’re looking for a dairy-free option. Just keep in mind that the taste and texture might vary slightly!
How long do they last?
When stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies can last about a week at room temperature. If you decide to freeze them, they’ll stay delicious for up to two months. Just remember to thaw them in the fridge overnight before enjoying!
What are other variations I can try?
Get creative! You can use different cookie cutter shapes, switch up the jam flavors, or even add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a festive twist. Some people like to add chopped nuts to the dough for added crunch, or even drizzle chocolate on top after baking. The possibilities are endless!
If you have any more questions or need tips, feel free to reach out! Happy baking!
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Christmas Linzer Cookies: 5 Sweet Secrets Revealed
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas Linzer Cookies filled with jam.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Add softened butter, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until combined.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place half of the cookies on a baking sheet.
- Spread a teaspoon of jam on each cookie on the baking sheet.
- Top with the remaining cookies.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Use your favorite jam for filling.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Great for gifting during the holidays.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Austrian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Christmas Linzer Cookies