Linzer Tarts Recipe 🍪

Overview:

Linzer Tarts are delicate, buttery cookies with a fruity filling, making them a delightful treat for any occasion. These traditional Austrian cookies are perfect for Christmas or any time you crave a sweet and festive dessert. With a simple recipe and minimal ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delectable treats in no time!

Recipe Information:

Name: Linzer Tarts
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 8-10 Cookies
Calories: 476.4 per serving
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (based on 2 reviews)

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract
2 cups cake flour
1 jar raspberry or apricot preserves

Instructions:

For the Dough:

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until well blended and creamy.
Add Flavor: Stir in the orange extract to the butter mixture and mix well to incorporate.
Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the sifted cake flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until a smooth dough forms.
Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.

Assembly and Baking:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness using a floured rolling pin.
Cut Shapes: Using a 2-inch round cutter (a scalloped cutter adds a nice touch), cut out cookies from the rolled dough and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.
Cut Centers: Use a smaller cutter (1 inch or smaller) to cut out the centers of half of the cookies. Reroll any dough scraps as needed.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until they are pale golden with lightly browned edges.
Cool: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.

Assembly:

Prepare Toppings: Dust sifted powdered sugar thickly over the tops of the cookies with the centers cut out.
Spread Preserves: Spread about 2 teaspoons of raspberry or apricot preserves carefully on each bottom cookie, leaving a 1/4-inch rim without preserves around the edge.
Top Cookies: Carefully place a sugared top cookie over each preserve-covered bottom cookie, lightly holding it at the edges to avoid disturbing the preserves.
Transfer to Plate: Gently transfer the assembled cookies to a serving plate, taking care not to stack them or handle them too much.

Storage:

Freezing: The basic cookies can be packed and frozen for later use.
Assembled Cookies: However, the assembled cookies should be made on the day they are to be served for the best taste and texture.

Notes:

These Linzer Tarts are perfect for holiday gatherings, tea parties, or any special occasion.
Experiment with different preserves or fillings to customize the flavor to your liking.
Enjoy the delicate blend of buttery cookie and fruity filling in every bite!

This recipe yields a batch of delightful Linzer Tarts that are sure to impress your friends and family with their beautiful appearance and irresistible flavor. Enjoy the process of baking these traditional treats and savor the joy they bring to every bite! 🎄🍪