Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because the texture is perfectly shortbread-like—soft, slightly crisp, and melt-in-your-mouth. The almond flour adds richness, while the cinnamon and cloves bring just the right touch of warmth. They require a bit of patience, but the results are always worth it. Plus, I can personalize them with different jam flavors or shapes for any occasion.

Ingredients

(Note: All ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.)

1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 large egg
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup raspberry jam
2 Tbsp powdered sugar, for garnish

Directions

1. I whisk the almond flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together in a medium bowl.

2. In a small bowl, I whisk the egg and vanilla until fully combined.

3. In a large bowl, I beat the butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. I add the egg mixture and beat again until smooth. Then I add the dry ingredients and mix just until the dough comes together.

4. I divide the dough in half and form each piece into a disc. I place each disc between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to 1/8-inch thickness. I transfer the sheets of dough to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours (or freeze for 30 minutes if I need them quickly).

5. I preheat the oven to 375°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment. I peel the top layer of parchment off the chilled dough and cut out cookies using a 2-inch round cutter. I cut small windows into half of the cookies using a smaller cutter.

6. I place the cookies an inch apart on the baking sheets and bake for 7–9 minutes, or until lightly golden. I let them cool completely.

7. In a small microwave-safe bowl, I stir 1 teaspoon of water into the raspberry jam and warm it on low in the microwave for 30 seconds. I spread about 1/2 teaspoon of jam onto each solid cookie, then top with a window cookie.

8. I dust the assembled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies.
Prep time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Variations

• I swap raspberry jam for apricot, strawberry, blueberry, or boysenberry.

• I add citrus zest to the jam for a bright twist.

• I use different cutout shapes such as stars, circles, or trees.

• I add a pinch of nutmeg for extra spice.

• I drizzle melted chocolate over the tops for extra indulgence.

Storage/Reheating

I store the finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them crisp longer, I store the cookies and jam separately and assemble them just before serving. These cookies also freeze well—both the dough and the baked cookies can be frozen for several months.

FAQs

Why did my cookies spread too much?

The dough may have been too warm. I chill the cut cookies before baking to help them keep their shape.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, I chill the dough up to two days in advance or freeze it for longer storage.

Can I use only all-purpose flour?

Almond flour is key for the traditional texture, but I can replace a small portion with more all-purpose flour if needed.

How thin should the dough be?

Rolling it to 1/8 inch ensures the perfect cookie-to-jam ratio.

Can I use homemade jam?

Absolutely—homemade jam makes these taste even better.

Why is my dough cracking?

It might be too cold. I let it sit at room temperature for a couple of minutes before rolling.

Can I reuse the dough scraps?

Yes, I gather them, reroll, and cut more cookies.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, I replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 blend.

Can I skip the spices?

Yes, but I love the warmth they add to the cookies.

How do I keep the jam from leaking out?

I use just enough jam to fill the center without pushing it to the edges.

Conclusion

I love how these Linzer cookies combine delicate almond-flavored shortbread with sweet, fruity jam for a festive, elegant treat. With their tender texture, warm spices, and beautiful cutout centers, they make any celebration—holiday or otherwise—feel extra special.