Jam-filled Linzer Cookies: A Delightfully Sweet and Nutty Treat

These Linzer cookies are a classic Austrian pastry renowned for their nutty, buttery dough and luscious jam filling. Typically enjoyed during the holiday season, they make a charming addition to any cookie platter. The combination of ground nuts, warm spices, and a fruit-filled center renders these cookies as delightful in flavor as they are in appearance.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (125g) ground almonds or hazelnuts
• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (160g) raspberry or apricot jam (or your favorite)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ground nuts, flour, cinnamon, ground cloves (if using), and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes.
3. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
5. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

2. Shape and Bake the Cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3mm).
3. Use a round or fluted cookie cutter (about 2 inches in diameter) to cut out cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets.
4. With a smaller cutter (such as a heart or star), cut out the centers of half of the cookies.
5. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and repeat the process with the second disk of dough.
6. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Assemble the Linzer Cookies:

1. Spread about ½ teaspoon of jam on the flat side of each solid cookie.
2. Dust the tops of the cookies with cut-out centers with powdered sugar.
3. Place the powdered sugar-dusted cookies on top of the jam-covered ones to create sandwich cookies, with the jam peeking through the cut-out shapes.

These delectable jam-filled Linzer Cookies are now ready to be enjoyed with a cup of tea or given as a beautiful homemade gift.