Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (2024)

Published: Author: Sabine / This post may contain affiliate links

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Learn how to bake original Austrian Linzer Cookies like I learned from my mother in Austria! This recipe has been passed down through generations and I'm excited to share it with you. These sandwich cookies are soft, buttery, and filled with jam. It has been a family favorite for many decades. By the way, have you tried my Vanillekipferl (vanilla crescent cookies) yet?

Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (1)
Jump to:
  • Step-by-step video tutorial
  • Ingredients
  • Process shots
  • Expert tips for success
  • How long do they last?
  • Make ahead and freezing instructions
  • More cookie recipes to try
  • Recipe

Step-by-step video tutorial

Ingredients

Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (2)

For a full list of ingredients see Recipe Card.

FAQs & Cookie Cutters

What are Linzer Cookies?

Linzer cookies are soft, buttery and filled with jam. These are traditional Christmas sandwich cookies from Austria, which are usually filled with apricot or strawberry jam. They're so popular that you can buy them in stores all year round, not just during the holiday season, even though they're considered Christmas cookies.

Where did you get your cookie cutters from?

I got mine from my mother when I was still living in Austria. After some research I found that Wilton sells Linzer Cookie cutters that look similar to mine. Their cookie cutter set is available on Amazon. My cookie cutters are 2 inches (5cm) in diameter and so are theirs. However, any 2-inch cookie cutters will work.

Process shots

Making the dough is as easy as making regular sugar cookie dough. Start mixing the butter until creamy. Then add powdered sugar followed by egg yolks. Stir in the vanilla, salt, lemon juice and cinnamon. Finally add flour and almond flour. Divide the dough in half and shape it into discs. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days.

Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (3)

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough, ¼-inch (0.6cm) thick. Then cut out cookies and place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. You can space them 1-inch (2.6cm) apart as they don't spread at all.

Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (4)

Then bake, cool completely, and fill with jam.

Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (5)

Expert tips for success

  • The dough contains a lot of butter, so it will become soft if rolled too long. Work in batches, roll out one sheet of dough at a time and keep the second refrigerated until the entire first sheet of dough is cut and ready to bake. If the dough gets too soft, put it back in the fridge. You can also work in smaller batches and quarter the dough if that's easier for you. Consider using a suitable butter substitute for cookies if you prefer a different approach.
  • Avoid counteracting the increased softness and stickiness of the dough as you roll it out with too much flour. Use enough flour to roll and cut the dough, but don't work too much flour into the dough or the Linzer cookies will become dry and crumbly.
  • Gently roll out the dough with increasing pressure but avoid pressing too hard on the dough or it will tear.
  • When it comes to apricot jam, it is popular in Austria to add a bit of rum to the jam. If you want that too, add 1-2 tablespoons of dark rum to your jam, depending on your preference.
  • I highly recommend using a kitchen scale and weighing the ingredients. Cups vary in size and too much (almond) flour would dry the cookies out. If using cups instead of a kitchen scale, fluff up the flour, spoon it into the cups, and level with the back of a knife.
  • Whenever possible, use real Bourbon vanilla beans, as this is the type of vanilla originally used in these sandwich cookies.
Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (6)

How long do they last?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Make ahead and freezing instructions

  • Cookie dough - Place wrapped dough discs in freezer bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Place the wrapped dough in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
  • Baked cookies- You can either freeze filled cookie sandwiches or just the cookies and fill them after thawing. Individually wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap, place in freezer bags or containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, unwrap and let sit on the counter for 1 hour.

More cookie recipes to try

  • Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti
  • Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
  • Buckeye Cookies
  • Gingerbread Men Cookies
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
  • Brown Butter Cookies

Recipe

Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (7)

The softest and best Linzer Cookies

4.99 from 344 votes

Author Also The Crumbs Please

Calories: 134kcal

Servings: 32 sandwich cookies

Prep 1 hour hour

Cook 27 minutes minutes

Chill 1 hour hour

Total 2 hours hours 27 minutes minutes

Print Pin Rate

Baking Linzer cookies is a delicious holiday tradition in Austria, where they originated. Buttery and soft, these sandwich cookies have been popular for centuries for their sweet taste and tender texture. Although they're considered Christmas cookies, they're usually enjoyed all year round!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 vanilla bean* (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 cup almond flour, spooned and leveled
  • ½ cup apricot or strawberry jam
  • Optional powdered sugar for decoration

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, mix the butter on medium speed until creamy for about 1-2 minutes. Add the sugar and mix to combine. Stir in the egg yolks until combined. Add the salt, cinnamon, vanilla*, and lemon juice and mix just until incorporated. On low speed, stir in flour and almond flour just to combine.

  • Divide the dough in half and shape into 1-inch (2.6cm) thick discs. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C and line 2 or 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc at a time ¼ inch (0.6cm) thick. Using a 2-inch (5cm) cookie cutter of your choice, cut out cookies and place about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheets. You should end up with about 64 cookies.

  • Bake one sheet at a time for 9-10 minutes until they look dry. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

  • Fill cooled cookies with jam by spreading jam on the bottom of one cookie and placing another on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if you like. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

*First, cut off the straight end of the vanilla bean. Then place the tip of your sharp knife below the curled end and cut the vanilla bean through the middle of the bean lengthwise. Although you don't need to cut it all the way through, it's ok when you do so. Then open the vanilla bean and scrape out the flavorful seeds with the back of your knife. Just use the seeds.

Video

You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 39mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

Course Dessert

Cuisine Austrian

Did you make this recipe?Leave a feedback and rate this recipe!

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About Sabine

Sabine is a professional baker, cookbook author, and award-winning food photographer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie

    Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (8)
    I've made these cookies twice now. My family loves them. Thank you!

    Reply

  2. Andrew Betrix

    Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (9)
    Came out perfect, I changed nothing, I am at 7800 ft altitude & this recipe was flawless, I used smuckers seedless red raspberry
    And Diamond almond flour, I also sifted the almond & regular flour before spooning & leveling . Will be make hundreds of them, test batch was superb, wish I could leave a picture. Thanks 😋😋😋

    Reply

  3. Patricia

    I am looking forward to baking these, however, I am unable to view the entire video. It plays halfway, then a Windows 11 ad comes on & the video moves to a new recipe. ???

    Reply

    • Stan Ivanov

      Hello Patricia. Half way through the video there is a pop up that asks if you want to keep playing the existing linzer cookie recipe. The default is to skip to the next one, so just make sure you don't miss this popup.

      Reply

      • Patricia

        Thank you so much! One more question...I measure my flours on a digital scale. Are there specific amounts you recommend? I use 113 g/ cup of flour...

  4. Lauren

    Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (10)
    What a delicious cookie!! I subbed 1 cup of hazelnut flour for the almond flour, and I used raspberry jam for the filling. Spectacular!

    Reply

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Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What nationality are Linzer cookies? ›

Linzer cookies are a twist off the linzer torte, originating from Linz, Austria. The linzer torte is one of the oldest tortes in the world, found in an Austrian abbey in the early 1700s. Luckily for us, the linzer torte was brought to the US around 1850s.

What is the history of Linzer torte? ›

A Brief History of the Linzer Torte

Linzer tortes have been the pride of Linz, a small town along the Danube River in Northern Austria, for over 300 years. In its earliest incarnations, the central ingredients of a traditional Linzer torte—flour, butter, sugar, and spices—made it an indulgence and status symbol.

Is Linzer cookie dough supposed to be crumbly? ›

Add the flour, salt, and butter. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, about twenty 1-second pulses, then add the egg yolks, vanilla, and almond extract. Process until dough forms a crumbly, clumpy mass, 20 to 25 seconds.

How long can you store Linzer cookies? ›

Storage information: Store filled Linzer cookies, well wrapped, at room temperature (when filled with jam) or in the refrigerator (if filled with curd) for several days; freeze for longer storage.

What are interesting facts about Linzer cookies? ›

In fact, the Linzer cookie has a long and storied history. It's a descendant of the Linzer torte, a traditional Austrian pastry and the oldest cake to ever be named after a place — Linz, Austria. The torte is a shortcake topped with fruit preserves and a lattice crust.

Where did the Linzer Slice originate? ›

Linzer torte
Alternative namesLinzertorte, Linzer cookie, Linzer tart
Place of originAustria
Region or stateLinz
Main ingredientsFlour, unsalted butter, egg yolks, lemon zest, cinnamon, lemon juice, ground nuts (usually hazelnuts, or walnuts or almonds), redcurrant jam
Media: Linzer torte
2 more rows

What is a European torte? ›

A torte (/ˈtɔːrt/; from German: Torte (German pronunciation: [ˈtɔrtə]), in turn from Latin via Italian: torta) is a rich, usually multilayered, cake that is filled with whipped cream, buttercreams, mousses, jams, or fruit. Torte. A serving of Sachertorte at the Hotel Sacher, Vienna.

Is Linzer Cookie a girl? ›

Linzer Cookie (Korean: 린저 쿠키, linjeo kuki) is an Epic Cookie released alongside Crème Brûlée Cookie in the The Holiday Express update (v4. 15). She is of the Support type and her position is prioritized to the Rear. Who is that tall, elegant lady...

Which cake is known as the oldest cake in existence? ›

Considered to be the oldest cake in the world, Linzer Torte is a true Austrian classic. It's often served with a big dollop of whipped cream and dusted with confectioners' sugar.

Can I refrigerate Linzer cookie dough overnight? ›

You must refrigerate Linzer Cookie dough before baking, but baked Linzer cookies do not need to be refrigerated. Chilling the dough is essential to making it easier to work with and preventing spreading in the oven when they bake.

What toppings are best for Linzer cookies? ›

The best toppings for Linzer Cookie in Cookie Run: Kingdom are those that play to her ability to debuff. As the cooldown for her ability is fairly long and it's a pretty formidable power, giving her five Swift Chocolate is definitely what I'd recommend.

What happens if too much butter is in cookies? ›

Too much butter makes cookies turn out just as you'd expect: very buttery. This batch of cookies was cakey in the middle, but also airy throughout, with crispy edges. They were yellow and slightly puffy in the middle, and brown and super thin around the perimeter.

How to transport Linzer cookies? ›

If you want to send Linzer cookies and are scared that the jam may glue them together accidently, cut out small squares of parchment paper and stack them with these squares in between. Be sure that you stack the cookies high, you don't want them to get broken.

What cookies stay fresh the longest? ›

Dry cookies, like shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, and Danish butter cookies, will stay fresher for longer because they have very little moisture. Dry cookies become stale when they suck up moisture from the air - causing them to become soft and lose their snap.

Does almond flour go bad? ›

If stored properly, almond flour has a shelf life of about one year.

What ethnicity are black and white cookies? ›

Melissa Clark, a food columnist at the New York Times, states that these cookies aren't just a New York staple, they're a major part of Jewish culture. According to her, “Black-and-whites have been an entrenched part of the very robust Jewish cookie scene in New York City for a century.”

What cookies is England known for? ›

Top 5 favorite British biscuits:
  • Chocolate Digestives.
  • Shortbread.
  • Chocolate fingers.
  • Jaffa Cakes.
  • Chocolate Hobnobs.

Are black and white cookies German? ›

These particular mini-cakes are thought to have been the invention of German immigrants in Glaser's Bake Shop in Manhattan. They sold well and spread. By the mid 1900's, the many Jewish bakeries had also begun to peddle these pastries.

Are Linzer tarts Italian? ›

These cookies are also a year-round staple at some of Philly's most enduring German bakeries, but they actually originated in Austria and have been adapted for American tastes.

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