Linzer cookies are the typical Christmas cookies, you will find on any Czech Christmas table. Christmas cookies are another, of many traditions in the Czech Republic. I am sure here in Canada and all around the world, we make cookies for Christmas, but have you heard about Czech cookies for Christmas? I bet you didn’t, so let me tell you a bit about it.
Christmas cookies are one of the biggest tradition in Czech Republic. Every lady in Czech Republic makes her own cookies on Christmas. And it is not only one sort of cookies. We make a dozens of sorts of cookies. It is usually the same recipes used in every household, same shapes, same tastes….well almost.
Of course every housewife has their own secrets, how to make gingerbread softer or how to make Linzer cookies more tasteful. But in general, all the recipes have same base. As I mentioned, that we do dozen of sorts of cookies, I literally meant it…my Grandma usually made 20 sorts of Christmas cookies, and each sort makes at least 30-40 cookies.
Of course, you won’t be able to eat all this during the Christmas season and that’s why we visit our families, where cookies are brought to the tables. You give out to your neighbours or colleagues at work, etc.
In Czech , Christmas cookies are called “cukrovi”, this literally translate the word for cookie and specifies the word Christmas at the same time. Because, as I previously said, these are a traditional cookies and they are made only for Christmas.
This tradition is so important for Czech people, that the woman takes a days off from the work, just to prepare these cookies. And let me tell you, it takes time, to bake it, assemble it, some cookies might take up to 3 days to make (you know time to rest, make an icing, special chocolate covers, etc.)
Linzer cookies are far the easiest ones to do, well sort of, the only thing is that you have to do it in 2 different stages (no worries nothing difficult). First you bake it and then you spread jam of your taste in between two cookies. But from all the other cookies, this one is so far the easiest one.
So I won’t keep you away from the recipe, here you have and don`t forget, you should always have fun making these cookies. Enjoy the time, invite your kids to help you. I know sometimes it could be messy, but once shouldn’t be that big disaster and let me assure you, your kids will love it!
LINZER COOKIES
Ingredients
For the dough
- 300 grams (2 & ½ cups) all purpose flour sifted
- 50 grams almond flour extra fine
- 100 grams (½ cup) fine sugar
- 200 grams (¾ cup) unsalted butter softened in room temperature
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 small lemon for zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the filling
- 177 milliliters (¾ cup) raspberry jam
- 1 tablespoon confectioner sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, with flat batter, mix together the butter and sugar until they are creamy and well combined.100 grams (½ cup) fine sugar, 200 grams (¾ cup) unsalted butter
- Add inside the bowl egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest and all-purpose flour with almond flour. Mix it first on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Then change gradually higher speed and mix until the dough holds together and starts to form a ball.300 grams (2 & ½ cups) all purpose flour, 2 large egg yolks, 1 small lemon, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 50 grams almond flour
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a clean flour sprinkled surface. Knead gently the dough in between your hands, 2-3 kneads are enough. Divide the dough in half and pat each dough into a disk. Wrap the dough with plastic food foil and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it soften for 10 minutes. In the meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F/ 170 C & prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper on it. On a clean and flour sprinkled surface, roll out the first dough with a rolling pin to 1/8-inch thick. Cut out the cookies, using 1 ½ inch round cookie cutter (or other shapes). Transfer the cookies to the baking sheet with spatula or knife. Gather the scrap dough, roll it, and repeat the cut-out cookie process. You will have around 30 pieces at this moment.
- Roll out now the second dough and cut out another 30 cookies. Transfer them onto the baking sheet with parchment paper and take the smallest cookie cutter ( I used stars or flour, but you can use the piping tip) to cut out the middle window. Bake the cookies for 10 -15 minutes (depending on the size of cookies & your oven), or until the edges begin to lightly golden (not brown). Allow cooling to room temperature for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet directly.
- Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry jam on the bottom side of each whole cookie and spread evenly onto the cookie, set aside. Take the remaining cookies with holes and dust them with confectioner sugar. Place dusted cookies on top of the cookies with the jam.
Megala
They look so beautiful & delicious !!
juliarecipes
Thank you darling 😊 and it is so easy to make. Christmas spirit is here 🎄😊