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Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies

These Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies are beautiful cookies that are filled with jam and are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray!

Cookies are one of my favorite recipes to make, especially around the holidays! These Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies are super fun and easier than you might think! Normally a Linzer Cookie is made with almonds or almond flour, but we are bypassing that and making it easier to make without having to use specialty ingredients! Everything in this recipe you can most likely already find in your pantry! We love the christmas tree shape but you can make these in any shape that you like. But if you are wanting a fun and easy treat, then you need to make this Christmas Tree Linzer Cookie Recipe!

Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies layered on top of one another on black platterr.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What are Linzer cookies?

The classic Linzer cookie is basically a shortbread-style sandwich cookie filled with black currant preserves. The traditional ones often have a lattice-type top. In America, the recipe has evolved over generations to suit American tastes like using different flavored preserves and creating different shapes and patterns.

What nationality are Linzer cookies?

Austrian. You’ll find them in many German markets but the recipe originated in Linz, Austria which is how they got the name of Linzer.

Do I have to use a christmas tree cookie cutter?

No, you can use any of your favorite cookie cutters as long as you have a smaller one that you can use to make the little window for the jam.

What jams can be used for Linzer cookies?

Some other flavors that we have used is apricot, strawberry, orange, lingonberry and more! You can also use store bought or homemade.

Don’t most Linzer cookie recipes use almond flour or ground almonds?

Yes the classic Linzer cookie recipe uses almonds. I wanted to make this an easier recipe for the average American home cook who doesn’t usually have almond flour on hand or who doesn’t want to purchase almond flour just to make this one recipe. But you could certainly use almond flour if you have it!

How do you package Linzer cookies?

For gift giving, I suggest using wax paper or parchment paper. Layer the bottom of your cookie tin or container with wax paper then use the wax paper to separate the layers of your Linzer cookies and top with a final layer of wax paper.

Can Linzer cookies be frozen.

Linzer can be frozen. Place in a freezer safe container (using packaging techniques in question above) where they will keep frozen for up to one month. Let defrost at room temperature.
To store at room temperature or in the refrigerator: Store in an airtight container at room temperature where they will last up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for a week.

Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies standing up showing jam filling.

LINZER COOKIE INGREDIENTS: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • all-purpose flour 
  • cornstarch
  • salt
  • butter
  • granulated sugar 
  • eggs 
  • vanilla extract 
  • strawberry jam
Ingredients needed: all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, 
butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract and strawberry jam.

HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS TREE LINZER COOKIES:

Preheat your oven 350 F and line your baking tray with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients – flour, cornstarch, and salt together and set aside.

Dry ingredients mixed together in bowl.

In a stand mixer (you can also go ahead and use the hand mixer for this) add in the butter and sugar and beat it at medium speed, scraping down the sides for at least 2-3 mins.

Butter and sugar in bowl of stand mixer.

Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until everything is incorporated well.

Eggs added to butter and sugar mixture.

Add the flour mixture to the butter-egg mixture in batches and mix it well to form the dough. Flatten the dough and wrap it with a cling wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Flour added to mixture creating a dough.

Once chilled, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out tree-shaped cookies. Also, cut out the center of half of the cookies using the same shape cutter in a smaller size. Place them on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden.

Dough cut out with cookie cutters on baking sheet.

Apply a thick layer of strawberry jam to the bottom of the whole cookie, but leave a thin border around each cookie and place the corresponding cut-out cookies on top of it carefully. 

Finished cookies filled with jam.

Next, using a spoon fill the cut-out centers of the cookies with some more jam.

Extra jam being added to cookies.

Enjoy!

Overheard of Christmas Tree Linzeer Cookies offset layered on one another on black platter.

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Square image of Christmas Tree Linzer cookies on black platter.

Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies

These Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies are beautiful cookies that are filled with jam and are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Chilling Time:: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven 350 F and line your baking tray with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients – flour, cornstarch, and salt together and set aside.
  • In a stand mixer (you can also go ahead and use the hand mixer for this) add in the butter and sugar and beat it at medium speed, scraping down the sides for at least 2-3 mins.
  • Add in the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until everything is incorporated well.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter-egg mixture in batches and mix it well to form the dough. Flatten the dough and wrap it with a cling wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • Once chilled, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out tree-shaped cookies. Also, cut out the center of half of the cookies using the same shape cutter in a smaller size. Place them on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden.
  • Apply a thick layer of strawberry jam to the bottom of the whole cookie, but leave a thin border around each cookie and place the corresponding cut-out cookies on top of it carefully.
  • Next, using a spoon fill the cut-out centers of the cookies with some more jam.

Notes

  • These can be doubled for gift giving or holiday gatherings.
  • These can be frozen, see my tips above.
  • You can switch up the jam flavor to your liking.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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