Irresistible Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Crisp and delicate cherry almond linzer cookies bring a touch of European charm to your holiday baking adventure.

Layers of buttery shortbread sandwich sweet fruit preserves between delicate cutout windows.

Almonds add a gentle nutty crunch that complements the bright cherry filling perfectly.

Traditional Austrian desserts inspire these elegant treats that look far more complicated than they actually are.

Baking these cookies feels like creating edible art with minimal effort.

Pastry lovers will adore the combination of rich almond flavor and vibrant cherry jam.

You can impress guests with these stunning, bakery-worthy cookies that taste even better than they look.

Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies That Impress

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe welcomes beginners and delights experienced cookie makers with its straightforward steps and minimal ingredients.
• Family Baking Adventure: Brings everyone together in the kitchen, offering fun moments of cutting shapes, spreading preserves, and creating beautiful desserts that spark joy and connection.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Ideal for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, gift-giving, or simply enjoying a sweet moment with loved ones, these cookies elevate any occasion with their elegant appearance and delightful flavor combination.
• Sensory Delight: Combines rich almond notes with sweet cherry preserves, creating a harmonious taste experience that tingles taste buds and provides a luxurious texture contrast between crisp cookies and smooth filling.

Ingredients for Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies

• Almond Flour: Provides a rich, nutty flavor and tender texture to the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure and helps bind the cookie dough together.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth to the cookie's flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, tender base for the cookie dough.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie texture.
• Egg Yolk: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Offers a classic, sweet flavor to the cookies.
• Almond Extract: Intensifies the almond flavor in the recipe.

• Cherry Preserves: Serves as a sweet and fruity filling between the cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, decorative dusting on top of the cookies.

Stepwise Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies

Step 1: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined and smooth.

Step 2: Create Butter Mixture

Using an electric mixer, cream softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Add egg yolk, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture looks creamy.

Step 3: Form Cookie Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter blend, stirring until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 4: Roll and Cut Cookie Shapes

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use decorative cookie cutters to cut out whole cookie bases.

For the top cookies, use the same cutter and create a smaller cutout in the center.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden brown edges. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Assemble and Finish

Spread a layer of cherry preserves on the whole cookie bases. Carefully place the cut-out top cookies over the preserves.

Dust the assembled cookies generously with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.

Tips for Tender Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies

• Use fresh, high-quality almond flour for the most delicate and nutty flavor in these delicate cookies.
• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure clean-cut shapes during baking.
• Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry or apricot for unique flavor variations.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before assembling to prevent preserves from making the cookies soggy.
• For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend.

Creative Spins on Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies

• Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure almond flour is certified gluten-free.
• Nutty Chocolate Version: Swap cherry preserves with rich chocolate hazelnut spread for a decadent alternative.
• Vegan Linzer Option: Use plant-based butter, flax egg instead of egg yolk, and dairy-free powdered sugar for a completely vegan treat.
• Seasonal Berry Swap: Substitute cherry preserves with raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam for different fruity flavors throughout the year.

Serving Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Elegantly

• Romantic Date Night Dessert: Serve these elegant cookies as a sweet finale to a candlelit dinner, creating a charming intimate moment with your partner.
• Afternoon Tea Centerpiece: Arrange these delicate cookies on a beautiful platter alongside fresh berries and herbal tea, perfect for a sophisticated gathering with friends.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Stack cookies carefully in a decorative tin, wrap with a ribbon, and present as a homemade gift that shows personal care and culinary skill.
• Festive Dessert Platter: Create a stunning cookie display by mixing these Linzer cookies with other holiday treats, offering a variety of textures and flavors for guests to enjoy.

Best Storage Tips for Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies

• Store completely cooled Linzer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate shape.
• Refrigerate cookies with cherry preserves for maximum freshness, extending shelf life to 5-7 days.
• Freeze unfilled cookie cutouts in a sealed freezer bag for up to 1 month, thawing at room temperature before assembling.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of preserves?

Yes, you can substitute cherry preserves with raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam for a unique flavor twist.

• Is almond flour necessary for this recipe?

Almond flour adds richness and a subtle nutty flavor, but you can replace it with more all-purpose flour if needed.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness for the perfect crisp and delicate cookie texture.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough and refrigerate up to 2 days in advance, or freeze the unbaked cookies for up to 1 month.

Delightful Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 57 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet cherry almond linzer cookies combine European elegance with delightful nutty flavor. Delicate sandwich cookies feature cherry preserves nestled between almond-infused shortbread, offering you a perfect bite of classic Austrian dessert charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup cherry preserves

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Spice and Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Finishing Ingredient:

• Powdered sugar, for dusting

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Instructions

1. Combine almond and all-purpose flour with cinnamon and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a separate bowl until light and fluffy, then incorporate egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract thoroughly.
3. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, kneading until a cohesive dough forms. Refrigerate for half an hour to firm up.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Use decorative cookie cutters to shape the cookies, creating solid base cookies and matching cookies with center cutouts.
5. Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining consistent spacing. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown.
6. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Generously spread cherry preserves on the solid base cookies, then gently place the cut-out cookies on top to create a sandwich effect.
7. Finish by dusting the assembled cookies with a delicate layer of powdered sugar, creating an elegant and festive presentation.

Notes

• Swap almond flour with gluten-free blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets, ensuring same measurement proportions.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain intricate cookie cutter shapes during baking.
• Room temperature butter creates smoother, more consistent cookie texture that blends easily with sugar.
• Toast almond flour briefly before mixing to enhance nutty flavor and deepen overall cookie complexity.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Austrian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 2.5 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg