Linzer Cookies is the kind of recipe that rewards a little planning and a few simple technique cues. This shortbread cookie is doused in powdered sugar, filled with your favorite raspberry (or any flavor) preserves for a festive, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

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Linzer Cookies

3/4 pound butter softened, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, raspberry preserves, powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, and then add to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until a dough forms. Scrape dough onto a floured surface and shape into a flat disk.
4. Cover all sides with plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes. Sprinkle more flour over the cutting board or pastry cloth, and roll out the shortbread dough to a 1/4-inch thickness.
5. Cut with a fluted round, then cut out the centers of half of them with the wide end of a pastry decorating tip. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, and chill for at least 15 minutes before baking.
6. After chilling, bake dough until the edges are a faint golden brown. Start checking for doneness after 10 minutes in the oven. Thicker cookies will take upwards of 15-18 minutes to bake through.
7. Remove baking sheets from oven and place on racks to cool for several minutes.
8. Once cool, spread a thin layer of raspberry preserves on the solid rounds, bottom sides up.
9. Sift powdered sugar over the hollowed tops (bottom sides down again), then sandwich the layers together.

Try linzer cookies recipe with ingredient notes, timing guidance, texture checkpoints, and storage tips that make repeat baking easier.

Make-Ahead Tips

Prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance, wrap well, and refrigerate. The dough also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Bake the cookies and store unfilled - assemble with jam and powdered sugar within a few hours of serving for the freshest texture.

Storage Notes

Store assembled Linzer cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The jam will soften the cookie over time, so if you want maximum crunch, store the baked cookies and jam separately and assemble just before serving.

Related ideas to explore next If you want to keep building on this topic, good next reads include Chocolate Chip Cookies 101 Three Important Tips, Recipe Almond Pizzelle Cookies, and Recipe Black and White Cookies. They are useful for comparing techniques, finding adjacent inspiration, or choosing a Mrs. Fields option that fits a different craving or occasion.