Classic Linzer Cookies with Apricot Jam

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• • 200 g (7 oz) butter, softened
  • 100 g (3.5 oz, 1/2 cup) powdered sugar
  • 1 egg

• • 250 g (9 oz, 2 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 10 g (1 tablespoon) vanilla sugar
  • A pinch of salt

For the Filling and Topping:

• • Apricot jam (or any jam of choice) for filling
  • Extra powdered sugar for dusting

Steps to Make It

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 2–3 minutes.

2. Add the Egg and Vanilla

• Add the egg and vanilla sugar to the butter-sugar mixture and continue beating until fully incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

• • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

4. Chill the Dough

• Divide the dough into two disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

5. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

6. Roll and Cut the Dough

• • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/8-inch (3 mm) thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (or any shape you prefer) to cut out cookies.

• Use a smaller cutter to create a window in half of the cookies. These will be the top cookies of the sandwich.

7. Bake the Cookies

• Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Assemble the Cookies

• • Spread a thin layer of apricot jam on the flat side of each full cookie. Place a cookie with a cut-out window on top, gently pressing to create a sandwich.

9. Dust with Powdered Sugar

• Dust the assembled cookies with powdered sugar for a beautiful, snowy finish.