There’s something so charming about almond shortbread with a dollop of jam peeking through, right? This Easy Almond Linzer Cookies with Jam Recipe is a delightful twist on traditional Linzer cookies that’s surprisingly simple to pull off, and trust me, the buttery almond flavor combined with your favorite jam will have you hooked instantly.

The image shows many round cookies laid out on a white marbled surface, each cookie made of two light golden layers. The top layer has different shapes cut out, such as circles, triangles, flowers, and diamonds, revealing a thick orange jam filling in the middle layer. The top cookie layer is dusted with white powdered sugar, giving a soft and snowy texture that contrasts with the smooth, shiny jam underneath. The cookies are arranged closely with no plate visible, showing their detailed textures and shapes clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Almond Linzer Cookies with Jam Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Almond Linzer Cookies with Jam Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Almond Linzer Cookies with Jam Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made Linzer cookies countless times, and what gets me every time is how this version is both elegant and totally approachable. Whether you're an experienced baker or trying these for the first time, these cookies shine without complicated steps or exotic ingredients.

Foolproof Technique: The dough is easy to handle and chill, making rolling and cutting a breeze.
Versatile Fillings: Swap in your favorite jams or curds, from classic raspberry to tangy lemon curd, to suit your mood.
Buttery Almond Flavor: The almond flour adds a rich nuttiness that makes these cookies stand out.
Showstopper Presentation: The delicate cut-out tops dusted with powdered sugar look stunning and feel special.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient is like an essential piece of a little almond-jam puzzle here. The combination of all-purpose and almond flour gives the cookies that tender crumb with a hint of nuttiness, while the butter ensures they stay soft and melt-in-your-mouth.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter at room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl filled with sifted powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing smooth vanilla bean paste, a small white ceramic bowl with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with almond flour, a small white ceramic bowl holding kosher salt, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red jam for filling, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Room temperature is key for whipping it light and fluffy, which creates a tender texture.
Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar): Using powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar helps keep the dough silky and not grainy.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Adds warmth and depth; vanilla bean paste gives those pretty little specks for a rustic look.
All-Purpose Flour: The base flour that gives structure without making the cookies tough.
Almond Flour / Almond Meal: This is the magic ingredient that gives the Linzer their signature nutty flavor and crumbly texture.
Kosher Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors, balancing the sweetness.
Powdered Sugar (for dusting): A final snowy dusting brings the cookies to life and highlights the cutouts.
Jam or Curd: Your choice here will personalize these cookies—try raspberry, apricot, or even a tart lemon curd for zing.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching up the jams depending on the season, and you can easily swap almond flour for hazelnut meal if that’s your jam—or nut! It's your cookie, so customize the cutout shapes too; hearts for Valentine’s, stars for Christmas, or fun little shapes that make you smile.

Variation: One time, I used a rich black cherry jam with a splash of brandy, which elevated the cookies into a gourmet treat that was an instant hit at a potluck.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Almond Linzer Cookies with Jam Recipe

A close-up view inside a shiny silver metal mixing bowl filled with creamy, light brown batter with visible small darker specks, swirled unevenly around the bowl's interior. The batter has a smooth, whipped texture with some peaks and ridges formed by mixing. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, showing a clean, bright background that contrasts with the batter's warm color. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whip Up the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by placing your softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla into a mixing bowl. I usually use my stand mixer, but a handheld mixer works great too. Whip these together on high speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy—this is crucial because it traps air and creates those tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Step 2: Gently Fold in Your Flours and Salt

Now, mix in the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here—you want to keep the dough tender and crumbly, not tough. Once it forms, turn that dough out onto a large sheet of parchment.

Step 3: Roll and Chill the Dough

I like to sandwiched the dough between two sheets of parchment to roll it out evenly to about a quarter-inch thick. Pop the whole package onto a baking tray and into the fridge for at least two hours. This step helps firm up the dough, making it much easier to cut without stretching.

Step 4: Cut Out Cookies and Chill Again

Once chilled, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Freeze the dough for 10 minutes before slicing it into 2-inch fluted circles. Use a smaller cutter to cut shapes out of half of these cookies for that classic Linzer look. Freeze again for another 10 minutes; this extra chilling keeps their shape perfectly during baking.

Step 5: Bake Until Just Golden

Bake your cookies for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lovely and lightly golden. If you rolled the dough thicker or thinner, adjust the time accordingly—just keep an eye on them. Let your cookies cool completely on the pan to firm up before handling.

Step 6: Dust, Fill, and Sandwich

When completely cooled, dust the tops (the cookies with cutouts) generously with powdered sugar. Spread your jam of choice on the solid halves and gently sandwich them together, making sure the 'good' side of the cookie faces outward for a beautiful presentation.

Top Tip

Through many batches, I’ve learned that chilling and freezing the dough multiple times is key to perfect Linzer cookies. It prevents spreading and keeps those iconic shapes crisp. Also, don't skimp on the powdered sugar dusting—it adds a festive touch and slight sweetness that balances the tartness of the jam.

Chill, Chill, Chill: Refrigerate for at least two hours, then freeze before cutting and baking for the best shape retention.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Combine flours just until incorporated to keep the cookies tender.
Use High-Quality Jam: Because the filling shines here, pick your best-loved, high-quality jams or curds.
Roll Between Parchment: This saves so much clean-up and helps you roll out dough evenly without sticking.

How to Serve Easy Almond Linzer Cookies with Jam Recipe

Almond Linzer Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick to a dusting of powdered sugar for the classic look, but sometimes I sprinkle a few finely chopped toasted almonds on the edges for texture and a little extra almond punch. A light drizzle of melted dark chocolate can also add a gourmet flair if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cuppa tea or rich coffee, especially a cappuccino or hazelnut latte. For holiday gatherings, I’ve enjoyed them alongside spiced mulled wine or creamy hot chocolate—it’s like a mini indulgence in every bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or parties, I like to arrange these cookies in festive tins lined with parchment paper, alternating jam flavors. You can also stack them in mini cookie towers tied with ribbons or place them on pretty platters surrounded by fresh berries and edible flowers for that wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After assembling, I store my Linzer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for several days, but I find they’re best enjoyed within 3-4 days to maintain that fresh, crumbly texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully either as dough or baked cookies. I usually freeze the cut-out dough unbaked for up to three months—just thaw before baking. Assembled cookies freeze okay but can lose a bit of their delicate texture, so I prefer freezing separately and assembling fresh.

Reheating

For frozen baked cookies, gently warm them at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or so to refresh their crunch without melting the jam. Avoid microwaving, which can make the cookies soft and sticky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute almond flour with another nut flour?

Yes! You can swap almond flour for hazelnut meal or pistachio flour for a different but delicious twist. Just note that slight texture differences may occur, but the cookies will still be wonderfully nutty.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

The key is chilling the dough thoroughly, especially after rolling and cutting. Freeze the cookies for about 10 minutes before baking—this firms them up so they hold their shape perfectly.

What jams or fillings work best for Linzer cookies?

Classic raspberry jam is a favorite, but you can also try apricot, strawberry, cherry, or even lemon curd for a bright contrast. Choose thick jams or curds to prevent sogginess.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dough chills well for up to three days in the fridge. You can also freeze it unbaked for longer storage. This flexibility makes it perfect for planning ahead during busy holidays.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Almond Linzer Cookies with Jam Recipe holds a special place in my cookie lineup because it’s elegant without fuss. You'll enjoy how approachable the process is and how it rewards you with delicate, buttery, nutty cookies bursting with your favorite jam. Baking them always brings a little joyful pause to my day, and I hope they bring the same joy to your kitchen.