December has arrived and that means it's Christmas cookie time once again! I always get a warm and fuzzy feeling thinking about the Christmas holiday. It means cold temperatures outside, a toasty kitchen inside, and my counter tops covered in powdered sugar...especially after making Linzer Christmas Cookies!
Linzer Christmas Cookies
Now, let's talk about Linzer cookies...you know, the pretty jam filled sandwich cookies that look super impressive but also sort of intimidating? Well, at least they look that way to me.
Sugar Linzer Cookies
This Christmas I'm making sugar linzer cookies instead of the traditional hazelnut cookie. This sugar cookie dough recipe makes the rolling and cutting easy which is always the tricky part.
And while the traditional Linzer calls for a raspberry jam center, feel free to use your favorite flavor from strawberry to apricot or even Nutella...I mean, wouldn't that be delicious?
Dust the cut out tops with powdered sugar before sandwiching the cookies together and you've got a seriously gorgeous Christmas cookie. I just love how the jam pokes out through the center of the cookie and looks like a little jewel.
In the world of Christmas cookies, It really doesn't get more dreamy than Linzers! But before you break out the cookie cutters and the jam, here are some more amazing Christmas cookie recipes to try:
Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Santa Sized Gingerbread Cookies
- The Easiest chocolate Pecan Fudge
- Christmas Wreath Cookies
- Peppermint Sugar Cookies
- Salted Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Linzer Cookies
- Classic Frosted Cutout Sugar Cookies
Linzer Christmas Cookies
Sugar cookies with a jam center.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- raspberry, strawberry or apricot jam
- confectioners sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In
another large bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. - Reduce speed to low; beat in eggs and vanilla until well mixed, then beat in flour mixture just until blended.
- Divide dough into 4 equal pieces; flatten each into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove 1 piece of dough from
refrigerator. On lightly floured work surface, roll dough until slightly less than a ¼" thick. - With 3-4" cookie cutters cut dough into as many cookies as possible. Use a smaller cutter to cut centers out of half of the cookies. Place cookies on un-greased cookie sheets.
- Bake until edges are golden 12 to 15 min. Transfer to a wire
rack to cool. - When cookies are cool, sift confectioners sugar over cookies
with cut out center. - Spread about ½ teaspoon of jam on each whole cookie; top
with a cut out cookie.
Notes
Store in airtight container between layers of waxed paper up
to 2 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 244mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 5g
Carolin says
They look so yummy! I want to bake some Christmas cookies soon!
Xx Carolin
http://www.getmarvelous.com
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Carolin! I say it's never too early to start baking. 😉
Annette says
These cookies look so yummy and I love the cooke swap idea. I need to start a tradition like this! xx Annette
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Annette! We might have to start one here in Pasadena. 😉
Julie Blanner says
These look amazing! Can't wait to try them out!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Julie! I especially like them with apricot jam. Hope you enjoy them!
Boxwood Ave. (@BoxwoodAvenue) says
Linzer cookies are among my favorites! I loved follow this loop exchange! So nice to find a great new blog!
Leah Bergman says
So happy you found me as well! Hope you will be back soon. 🙂
Michael Wurm Jr says
One of my favorites. And friend, you photography is just beautiful. 🙂
xo Michael
Leah Bergman says
Thank you so much Michael! I'm dying to try your cookie recipe by the way. Xo
Ivana @ Macarons and Pearls says
Oh, these are so so beautiful, Leah! Linzer cookies are a timeless classics here in Slovakia (my mom does them best 🙂 and we always use some kind of tangy jam - like red currant. This year I'm making them for the first time - I just hope they're as beautiful as yours are!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Ivana! I would love to try them with a red currant jam. My current favorite is apricot which is also slightly tangy.
Regina says
They might be delicious, and they look so beautiful!!!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Regina!
Susie says
Lovely. These are on my list to make this year. I don't think you have to dust them with sugar before sandwiching cause the sugar will just dissolve on the jam and you won't see it.