Linzer cookies or Linzer “eyes” (translated literally) are one of the most famous and traditional Christmas cookies in Austria. A smaller version of the classic Linzer Torte, these Austrian Christmas sandwich cookies are traditionally filled with red currant or raspberry jam. What makes the cookies truly outstanding is a cutout on top that creates the signature stained-glass-window effect.
“Named after the Austrian city of Linz, these cookies are a quintessential Austrian Christmas specialty. Like many Austrians, I grew up baking and eating Linzer Augen during the Christmas season – they are a delicacy in every household! I hope you get to try them this holiday season.”
Petra Schneebauer, Ambassador of austria
🇦🇹 Austria: Linzer Augen—Linzer Cookies
Ingredients
Dough
- 3/4 cup softened butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar plus additional for dusting cookies
- 1 cup ground almonds or almond meal
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Filling
- 1 jar red currant or raspberry jam
Instructions
- Mix dough ingredients into a smooth dough. Let sit in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Using cookie cutters or an empty glass, cut dough into matching pairs. Cut a 3/4 inch diameter hole from the center of one circle of each pair.
- Place pairs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- After cookies have cooled, spread a layer of jam over the hole-less side of each pair of cookies.
- Place the matching half on top of the jam-covered half and dust with powdered sugar.