VALENTINE’S DAY LINZER COOKIES
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to whip out your baking skills and show your loved ones just how much you care. To help you treat your significant other (or friends and family), I have just the right recipe: Linzer Heart Cookies!
These classic Austrian cookies are made with a buttery, nutty shortbread filled with a tart raspberry jam. The addition of finely ground almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar gives them an extra special touch. Not to mention, the beautiful cutouts in the buttery cookie dough make them a great way to share some love.
Why Do We Love the Valentine’s Day Linzer Cookies?
You must’ve spotted these cutesy shortbread cookies on at least one of the Christmas cookie exchanges. They make a regular appearance on the dessert table of almost all holiday parties.
Do you know why?
Well, it’s because Linzer cookies are incredibly easy to whip up and have a dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. And all it takes are a few simple ingredients!
Plus, the vibrant raspberry or strawberry jam oozing out from the middle adds a nice pop of flavor.
What’s more, they are really easy to customize for any occasion. And for Valentine’s Day, all you need are some small heart cookie cutters to make these treats even more special.
So, let’s put on our aprons and master chef hats and bake some delicious cookies!
The Ingredients for Valentine’s Day Linzer Cookies
All-Purpose Flour:
You can’t make cookies without flour! All-purpose flour is the best kind of flour for making these delectable little treats. Remember to sift the flour before adding it to the batter. You’ll need 2 cups of it.
Butter:
Butter gives the cookies a delicate, crumbly texture and adds that rich flavor. It’s a key ingredient here, so make sure to use 1 cup of high-quality unsalted butter.
Granulated Sugar:
Some people use powdered sugar despite it having more moisture. But granulated sugar is the best choice here since it results in crunchier, flatter, and crispier cookies. This recipe requires half a cup of this ingredient.
Egg Yolk:
We all know about the binding properties of this simple ingredient. But that’s not all. Adding egg yolks to your cookies yields chewy cookies that are rich in protein. It’s better if they’re at room temperature. Use two large egg yolks for the best results.
Jam of Your Choice:
Yum! YUM! Raspberry or strawberry jam is the perfect filling for these cookies, as it gives them a nice tart flavor and adds a beautiful pinkish hue. You can also go with black currant, apricot, or blueberry jam. Use 1/2 cup of your favorite Jam.
How to Bake Raspberry Linzer Cookies to Perfection?
Cookies that come out nice and crisp on the outside and soft in the middle are always a winner. And what gets you there is your timing, precision, and knack for paying attention to detail.
Your first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F.
Then, add the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Softened butter is important because it helps the cookies spread out evenly and achieve that perfect texture.
Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until combined. Pick an egg yolk at room temperature to get the maximum fluffiness out of your cookies.
Now, gradually add your dry ingredients, including flour, cinnamon, ground almonds, and salt. Mix until the dough just comes together, and there are no lumps left. You can use a hand mixer for this step. Here you’ll need some self-control! The scent of freshly ground cinnamon will make you want to munch away. A little tasting doesn’t hurt, right?
Once the dough is ready, fold it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. It will help the cookie dough become easier to work with when you roll it out later.
Now, cut out your little hearts using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. It’ll help if you do it on a lightly floured surface. Place your cutout cookies on a baking sheet lined with sheets of parchment paper and bake for about 12 minutes until golden. Remember, you must never leave your cookies unattended. It’s only a matter of seconds before they burn.
When your fun sandwich cookies are finally ready, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Now you can proceed by sandwiching them with a generous layer of raspberry jam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Alternate Toppings Can I Use for Valentine’s Day Linzer Cookies?
Sure! You can use your favorite chocolate spread, melted chocolate, or even honey and a sprinkle of nuts to get creative and add some crunch to your cookies.
Can I Freeze These Valentine’s Day Linzer CookiesCookies?
Of course! Just make sure to wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. They should last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Enjoy!
What Should I Do with Leftover Dough?
Not to worry, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. You can also roll it out and use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.
These classic Linzer cookies are the perfect way to show someone you care this February 14th! Enjoy your delicious treats with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, or just savor them on their own! Happy baking!
VALENTINE’S DAY LINZER COOKIES
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- Cherry, raspberry, or blackberry jam
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butter until it gets light and fluffy consistency.
- Add the vanilla extract, and egg yolks and continue to mix.
- Add the cinnamon, flour, and salt to the mixture and mix by hand until it becomes a dough form.
- Put the dough in saran wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Roll out half of the dough and cut into 10 hearts. Cut the inside of the heart shapes with a smaller heart cookie cutter. Then roll out the remaining dough and cut 10 hearts out.
- Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden in color, be careful not to burn.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. After they have cooled down, spread the jam of your choice on the bottom heart pieces. Dust the top heart pieces with powdered sugar and place them on top of the jam covered cookie to make heart shaped sandwich cookies.
