Name: The best Linzer cookies according to our grandmothers' recipe: tender, fragrant and perfect
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 20
Ingredients: 450 g plain flour; 300 g cold butter; 150 g powdered sugar; 1 egg yolk; a pinch of ground cloves; grated zest of ½ lemon; a favorite tart jam for sandwiching (e.g., currant or apricot)

The best Linzer cookies according to our grandmothers' recipe: tender, fragrant and perfect

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The best Linzer cookies according to our grandmothers' recipe: tender, fragrant and perfect recept

Easy to prepare
20 portions
30 minutes

Jan, 17. 12. 2025

Linzer cookies are a symbol of Christmas, tradition and childhood. This classic recipe from our grandmothers is one of those that never disappoint. The secret of perfect Linzer lies in the simple ratio of ingredients 3 : 2 : 1 – that is three parts flour, two parts butter and one part sugar. The result is a fine, tender dough that literally melts on the tongue.

For 20 portions

Ingredients

450 g plain flour
300 g cold butter
150 g powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
a pinch of ground cloves
grated zest of ½ lemon
a favorite tart jam for sandwiching (e.g., currant or apricot)

Preparation procedure

Dough preparation Sift the flour and sugar into a bowl and add the grated lemon zest and a pinch of cloves. Add the cold butter cut into pieces and the egg yolk. Quickly work into a smooth dough – either by hand with cool palms or with a mixer on the lowest speed. It's important that the butter doesn't heat up too much.
Shaping and baking Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 4 mm. Cut out any shapes and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 160 °C for 10–15 minutes, until the cookies turn golden. After baking, let the Linzer pieces cool briefly and then carefully remove them from the baking sheet.
Assembling and finishing Sandwich the cooled cookies with a tart jam – currant or homemade plum work great. If you want the cookies to be extra fragrant and tender, you can add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice to the dough.

Preparation time and number of servings

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Dough chilling time: 1 hour
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Number of servings: 60 pieces

Tips for perfect Linzer cookies

Cold ingredients are key: butter and flour should be below 20 °C.
Don’t overwork the dough: otherwise the butter will warm up and the dough will lose its delicate texture.
If the dough crumbles, put it in the fridge for a while or add a few drops of cold water.
The rolling pin won’t stick, if you rub it with oil or lightly dust it with flour.

Conclusion

Traditional Linzer cookies according to our grandmothers’ recipe are a staple of every Christmas table. They are tender, fragrant and together with a quality jam form a perfect combination of flavors. Keep the correct ratio of ingredients, give the dough enough time to rest and you will be rewarded with cookies that literally melt in your mouth.

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