My friend Maureen had a little get-together at her home recently. Maureen is a great baker and, of course, had a dessert spread that was worth every single calorie I ingested. Among the treats was a platter of the sweetest Linzer cookies.
They were delicious! I said to Maureen, "These cookies are REALLY yummy!" She replied, "It's your recipe." Ha.
Two reactions:
For the cookies, it's the perfect every time cut-out cookie recipe. Roll it thinner than you would for a decorated cookie. I rolled these to 1/8-inch. The baking time is shortened...I found 7-8 minutes was enough for the thinner cookies.
- I was embarrassed because it sounded like I was trying to compliment myself.
- I was excited because I couldn't wait to make them!
For the cookies, it's the perfect every time cut-out cookie recipe. Roll it thinner than you would for a decorated cookie. I rolled these to 1/8-inch. The baking time is shortened...I found 7-8 minutes was enough for the thinner cookies.
Believe it or not, I don't own a Linzer cookie cutter, but you really don't need one. Look through your stash of cutters and find two you like together. I used my scalloped oval...one of my favorite cutters of all time...and a small heart.
Bake an even number of solid cookies and cookies with the cutout center. I found this recipe made about 24 Linzer cookies, but the yield will vary based on how thick the cookies are and the size of your cutters.
Once cooled, dust the top of the cookies with the cutout centers with sifted powdered sugar. I always keep some powdered sugar in one these shakers for dusting desserts and pancakes. It's so much more convenient than getting out the bag of sugar and my sifter.
Spread raspberry preserves onto the solid cookies. Leave a border to avoid the preserves oozing out of the sides. Oozing and cookies just don't go together. I'm partial to Bonne Maman preserves...they're delicious and are oh so cute with their gingham lids and cursive writing on the label. ♥ I think I might try these with the cherry preserves next.
Sandwich the cookies together. Voila! Linzer Cookies! Wasn't that easy? And fun?
If you smudge the powdered sugar in sandwiching, you can re-sugar them. The preserves will end up absorbing the sugar so don't worry if it looks cloudy in the center at first.
If you smudge the powdered sugar in sandwiching, you can re-sugar them. The preserves will end up absorbing the sugar so don't worry if it looks cloudy in the center at first.
What are you waiting for? Make them!
