Linzer Plätzchen (Austrian Linzer Cookies) Made Magic

A Christmas recipe that I adore, and one perfect for parties or cookie boxes!

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If you're searching for a cookie that looks as good as it tastes, this is the one for you.

A long time ago, I was looking for a cookie more substantial and interesting than the plain sugar cookies we always made as a Christmas tradition. These plain cookies were nice and all, but they got a little boring (and store bought icing... never tasted good on top of them). So I went digging to see if there were any Slovenian, or even German, cookie recipes I could try out, and I came across this Austrian one that immediately stole my attention.

The cute powdered sugar tops! The bright red jam! They were so pretty that I had to try them. And the first time didn't exactly go well (as I was severely out of Christmas cookie practice), the next attempts got better and better—and, as I was continuing to learn German, I was able to find more authentic recipes from Austrian and German Youtubers.

I can't remember where I got this recipe now, but I do know that I've tweaked it over time and made it into a staple cookie for the holidays. It's easily the prettiest ones in any gift boxes, and the buttery texture matched with that tangy raspberry jam is to die for. The raspberry and vanilla combination give you a sense of love & protection that make this perfect to share with a sweetheart above all else, too.

You can use other jams, too, but I would stay away from sweet ones. Try jams like fig, apricot, or strawberry if you're looking for a raspberry substitute, as these all have the same common theme of love.

Optional: if you're following this recipe's Austrian components to a T, then you can also toss prosperity & wisdom into the mix with the almond flour and extract.

Magic in Linzer Cookies

The bright red jam, the marzipan-like taste of almond and the classic touch of vanilla, make these cookies the perfect things to bless with wisdom, prosperity, protection, & love.

The main planets here, Mercury & Venus, as well as the elements air & water, create a sense of open communication, light-heartedness, romance, and beauty. You can bless them with a special romantic love to share with your partner, a dose of self-love and clarity to see yourself as worthy of love and joy, or with general love, protection, and goodwill towards friends and family.

Linzer Cookies

Prep time: 30 minutes (+1hr in fridge)

Cook time: 30 minutes

Makes 20 Cookies

Ingredients:

300g	Unsalted Butter, softened
120g	Powdered Sugar
440g (560g if no almond)	All Purpose Flour
(Optional) 120g	Almond Flour
2 large	Eggs, room temperature
2 tsp (6 tsp if no V.Sugar/Almond)	Vanilla Extract
(Optional) 2 tsp	Almond Extract
(Optional) 4 Packets	Vanilla Sugar
1-2 Jars	Raspberry (or choice) Jam
For Dusting	Powdered Sugar

Directions:

1. Cream the butter and powdered sugar together.

2. Add egg and beat thoroughly.

3. Mix extracts and beat together

4. Incorporate flour in portions (don't add all the flour at once).

5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let sit in fridge for up to an hour.

6. Set the oven to 375 F.

7. Roll out the dough to 1/4in thickness, then cut circles out

8. On half of those circles, cut smaller shapes (like a star or heart) in the middle

9. Bake for 8-12 minutes, until golden brown at the edges

10. Let cool completely, then dust the cut-out tops with sugar

11. Spread jam over the bottoms and sandwich the two halves together

These are, in my opinion, a little better the next day because the jam soaks into the cookie and makes them soft again. But no matter how you serve them, they'll be a focal point of any table (and downright delicious)!