Indulge in a delightful journey of flavors with these Linzer Heart Sandwich Cookies, a classic treat that captivates hearts and taste buds alike. Originating from Austria, these sandwich cookies feature a delicate and crumbly shortbread base, lovingly crafted with a blend of flour, sugar, butter, and a hint of vanilla. The heart-shaped cookies are then filled with a luscious spread of homemade lingonberry jam, renowned for its vibrant red color and tangy-sweet flavor. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions, from preparing the dough and cutting out the heart shapes to baking the cookies to perfection. Additionally, the article offers variations of the filling, including raspberry jam, apricot preserves, and Nutella, allowing you to customize your Linzer cookies to suit your preferences.
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LINZER HEART SANDWICH COOKIES
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories dessert
Time 55m
Yield 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies, about 1 1/2 inches
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whip the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and continue mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. In another bowl, combine and mix the flour, almonds, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a rubber spatula, blend the flour mixture in with the butter. When the ingredients are fully integrated, place 1/3 of the batter on each piece of waxed paper. Coat dough with a light layer of flour, and top with another piece of waxed paper of the same length to make 3 batter "sandwiches". Place 2 of them in the refrigerator and work with 1 at a time.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Roll the first batch into as neat a shape as possible. What matters most is avoiding creases or cracks and getting it to about 1/8-inch in thickness. When the first is rolled, refrigerate it and repeat the same process for the other 2 pieces of dough.
- Make the cookie bottoms: Remove the first rolled sheet from the refrigerator and cut as many 1 1/2-inch hearts (or rounds). Reserve the scraps in the refrigerator. Arrange them neatly in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Repeat with the other two sheets, reserving any scraps.
- Make the cookie tops: Cut a heart, with the smaller cutter, out of the center of half of all the cookies to create a heart outline. Roll the scraps in between 2 pieces of waxed paper and cut additional hearts, if desired.
- Bake the cookies until they are lightly brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the trays from the oven and allow them to cool slightly for a few minutes before gently transferring them to a flat surface. In a small pot, pour in the raspberry jam and bring it to a light simmer. Remove from the heat to cool slightly as well.
- Spoon about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon raspberry jam on each bottom and place a "top" heart on each. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
LINZER HEART SANDWICH COOKIES 2
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories dessert
Time 1h
Yield 2 1/2 to 3 dozen 1 1/2 inch cookies
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- For the cookie batter: In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and continue mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, 5 to 8 minutes.
- In another bowl, combine and mix the flour, almonds, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Mix and roll the cookies: Because this dough has a good amount of butter, it needs resting time and needs to be rolled fairly quickly. Lay 3 large pieces of wax paper in a single layer on a flat surface. Sprinkle each one with a light coating of flour. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a rubber spatula, blend the flour mixture in with the butter. When the ingredients are fully integrated, place one-third of the batter on each of the pieces of wax paper. Coat with another light layer of flour and top with another piece of wax paper of the same length to make 3 dough "sandwiches." Press these wax paper and dough sandwiches down with your hands until the dough is fairly thin. This will save a lot of time on rolling later on. Place 2 of them in the refrigerator and work with them one at a time. Roll the first batch into as neat a shape as possible. What matters most is avoiding creases or cracks and getting it to about 1/8 inch in thickness. When the first is rolled, refrigerate it and repeat the same process for the other 2. Let them chill at least 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make the cookie bottoms: Remove the first rolled sheet from the refrigerator and cut as many 1 1/2-inch hearts (or rounds) as you can. Reserve the scraps in the refrigerator. Arrange the hearts neatly in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Repeat with the other 2 sheets, reserving any scraps.
- Make the cookie tops: Cut a heart, with the smaller cutter, out of the center of half of all the cookies. Roll the scraps in between 2 of the pieces of wax paper and cut additional hearts, if desired.
- Bake and assemble the cookie sandwiches: Bake the cookies until they are lightly brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the trays from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the tray for a few minutes before gently transferring them to a flat surface.
- Place the raspberry jam in a small pot and bring it to a light simmer. Remove from the heat to cool slightly as well. Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon raspberry jam on each bottom and place a top heart on squarely on each. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is cold. This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cookies tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the cookies. This will help prevent the cookies from tearing.
- Bake the cookies until the edges are just starting to brown. Overbaking will make the cookies dry.
- Let the cookies cool completely before filling them. This will help prevent the filling from leaking out.
Conclusion:
Linzer heart sandwich cookies are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. They're easy to make and can be customized with your favorite flavors. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give these cookies a try!
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