Linzer Stars
Delicate star-shaped sandwich cookies made with ground almonds and filled with raspberry jam, these traditional Linzer cookies feature a decorative cutout dusted with powdered sugar. A perfect blend of nutty, buttery cookie and sweet fruit preserves.
Ingredients
- •1½ cups all-purpose flour
- •1⅓ cups slivered almonds
- •1¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- •½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- •⅔ cup sugar
- •½ cup unsalted butter
- •1 whole large egg
- •2 teaspoons dark rum
- •¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- •½ cup seedless raspberry jam
- •¼ cup powdered sugar
- •1 set star cookie cutters
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Pulse flour, almonds, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor until almonds are finely ground (no larger than poppy seeds).
3 min
- 2.
Using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat sugar and butter in a large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg; beat until well blended, about 1 minute. Beat in rum and vanilla. Reduce speed to low; add dry ingredients. Beat dough just to blend; gently knead if necessary to form a ball.
5 min
- 3.
Divide dough in half. Place each half between sheets of parchment or waxed paper. Working with 1 piece at a time, flatten dough into a disk; roll dough, occasionally lifting paper on both sides for easier rolling, until 1/8" thick. Chill dough in paper until very firm, at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Dough can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; keep chilled.
120 min
- 4.
Arrange a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
10 min
- 5.
Working with 1 dough disk at a time, remove top sheet of paper and, using 2" star cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Transfer to baking sheets, placing 1/2" apart; chill. Repeat with remaining dough. Gather scraps; repeat rolling, chilling, and cutting until dough is used.
15 min
- 6.
Using 1/2" star cookie cutter, cut out a star from the center of half the cookies. Working in batches, bake cookies until light golden brown, dry, and just firm to the touch, 11-13 minutes. (Cookies will firm up as they cool.) Transfer to a wire rack; let cool. DO AHEAD: Cookies can be baked 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
12 min
- 7.
Bring jam and 1 teaspoon water to a boil in a small saucepan; let cool slightly.
5 min
- 8.
Arrange whole cookies flat side up. Spoon 1 teaspoon cooled jam in the center of each, dabbing slightly to spread. Arrange cookies with cutouts flat side down on a wire rack; dust with powdered sugar. Set atop whole cookies, lining up star points and allowing jam to push up slightly through center. DO AHEAD: Linzer Stars can be assembled 8 hours ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
15 min