If you're looking for the perfect treat to indulge your sweet tooth, this recipe for Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies is one you won’t want to miss. These buttery, almond-flavored sandwich cookies filled with cherry preserves offer the ideal balance between tart and sweet, with an iced topping to elevate their presentation and taste. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step to make these delectable cookies at home. Ready to impress your family and friends? Keep reading to discover how you can master these delicious Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies!
What are Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies?
Linzer cookies are a classic holiday treat, inspired by Austria's famed Linzer torte, which is a pastry filled with fruit preserves and topped with a lattice crust. These cookies are made by sandwiching fruit preserves between two almond-flavored shortbread-like cookies, typically with a cut-out in the center to showcase the vibrant filling. For this version, cherry preserves are used, and the cookies are finished with a drizzle of icing to make them truly irresistible.
Ingredients List for Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Linzer cookies may look intricate, but with the right components, they are simple to assemble. Here's what you'll need:
For the Cookies:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup almond flour (or finely ground almonds)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
For the Filling:
- ½ cup cherry preserves (or jam)
For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (or as needed)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Substitutions and Variations
- Almond Flour Alternatives: If you don’t have almond flour on hand, you can use finely ground almonds or even replace it with hazelnut flour for a slightly different flavor.
- Cherry Filling: Not a fan of cherry? You can substitute the cherry preserves with raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam. Each will give a unique twist to the traditional recipe.
- Icing Flavors: While almond extract adds a nice touch to the icing, you could swap it for vanilla or lemon extract to add a different flavor profile.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Creating Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies is a rewarding process that involves a few key stages: preparing the dough, cutting out the cookies, filling them with jam, and icing them for the final touch. Here's how to do it:

- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Set the bowl aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Incorporate the Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Continue to beat until the ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until the dough starts to come together. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s easier to handle.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into two disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial to ensure that the cookies hold their shape during baking.
How to Cook Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has chilled, roll out one of the disks on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter (about 2 inches in diameter) to cut out rounds from the dough. For half of the cookies, use a smaller cutter (such as a star or heart) to create a window in the center.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Fill the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, spread about ½ teaspoon of cherry preserves on each of the solid cookies. Place a cookie with a cut-out window on top to create a sandwich.
- Make the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract. You want the icing to be thick but pourable. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach the right consistency.
- Ice the Cookies: Drizzle the icing over the tops of the cookies and let them set for about 30 minutes until the icing hardens.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the Dough: Avoid overmixing the dough after combining the wet and dry ingredients. Overworking the dough can result in tough cookies instead of the tender, crumbly texture that’s ideal for Linzer cookies.
- Skipping the Chilling Step: Chilling the dough is critical for maintaining the cookies’ shape while baking. If the dough isn’t chilled, the cookies may spread too much in the oven.
- Too Much Filling: It can be tempting to overload the cookies with cherry preserves, but too much filling can cause it to ooze out when you sandwich the cookies together. Stick to about ½ teaspoon per cookie.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Linzer cookies are not just about flavor but also about visual appeal. Here are some tips for serving and presenting your Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies:
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: For an extra touch of elegance, you can lightly dust the top of the cookies with powdered sugar before adding the icing. This creates a beautiful contrast with the cherry filling.
- Serve on a Decorative Platter: Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter for a stunning presentation, perfect for a holiday gathering or a tea party.
- Gift Them: These cookies make excellent gifts! Arrange them in a festive tin or wrap them in cellophane bags tied with ribbons.
How to Serve Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies
These cookies are versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. They’re perfect with a hot cup of tea or coffee, and they make an excellent addition to any dessert table. Serve them alongside other festive treats, or savor them on their own as a delicious after-dinner dessert.
Presentation Ideas for Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies
- Holiday-Themed Cut-Outs: For a seasonal twist, use holiday-themed cookie cutters like stars, snowflakes, or Christmas trees to create the cut-outs in the center of the cookies.
- Festive Icing Colors: Add a drop of food coloring to the icing to make it more festive. For example, red or green icing would be perfect for Christmas celebrations.
Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Butter: Make sure the butter is at room temperature before you start. This ensures it creams well with the sugar, creating the light, tender texture you want in your cookies.
- Store Properly: Linzer cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. However, they are best eaten within 2-3 days as they may soften over time.
- Use High-Quality Preserves: Since the cherry filling is a key part of the flavor, opt for high-quality cherry preserves or jam for the best taste.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the dough up to two days in advance. Just be sure to keep it wrapped in plastic and refrigerated. You can also freeze the dough for up to a month.
Q: Can I freeze the cookies?
A: You can freeze unassembled cookie halves for up to 3 months. However, it’s not recommended to freeze the filled and iced cookies as the jam and icing don’t freeze well.
Q: Do I have to use almond flour?
A: Almond flour is a traditional ingredient in Linzer cookies, giving them their signature flavor and texture. However, if needed, you can substitute it with finely ground nuts or more all-purpose flour.
Q: How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
A: Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before baking and avoid placing the cookies on warm baking sheets.
Conclusion
These Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies are a delightful treat that combines buttery, nutty flavors with the sweetness of cherry preserves. Whether you're baking them for a holiday event or as a special treat for loved ones, these cookies are sure to impress. The added drizzle of icing makes them not only delicious but also visually appealing. Try this recipe at home and enjoy a classic dessert with a modern twist!
PrintIced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe
These Iced Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies are a delightful treat combining almond-flavored cookies and cherry jam filling, topped with a sweet icing. Perfect for festive occasions or as an everyday indulgence!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 sandwich cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Ground almonds
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Egg yolk
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Cherry jam
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Salt
Instructions
- Combine flour, ground almonds, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extracts.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
- Chill dough, then roll out and cut into shapes.
- Bake cookies until golden.
- Spread cherry jam between cookies, sandwich together.
- Mix icing with powdered sugar and milk, drizzle over cookies.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is well chilled to make cutting easier.
- Substitute cherry jam with raspberry or apricot for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
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