Buttery and crisp, this linzer cookie recipe swaps almond flour for cornmeal to provide basic cut-out sandwich cookies a fragile, golden crunch. Crammed with jam and dusted with powdered sugar, these Big Cornmeal Linzer Cookies are a festive twist on a timeless favourite.
These Big Cornmeal Linzer Cookies got here to life the best way a few of my favourite recipes do — accidentally, or reasonably, by omission. I used to be midway by testing a basic linzer cookie once I realized I used to be utterly out of almond flour, the ingredient that historically offers linzers their tender, nutty crumb. However for those who’ve spent any time in my kitchen, you understand I at all times have not less than three types of cornmeal tucked within the pantry. Dwelling within the South, cornmeal looks like a birthright – the sunny yellow sort particularly, with its mild crunch and heat, golden colour. So into the dough it went, and associates… I believe this could be my favourite model but!
The cornmeal provides the loveliest texture, a buttery fringe of crunch that performs so properly with the candy jammy heart. You may fill them with no matter fruit unfold you like (although I’m a fan of raspberry jam or lemon curd) and minimize them into any measurement or form that matches your vacation cookie tins. These very cookies are making their approach into The Bakehouse Texas Bakery Field this weekend, and I’m crossing all my fingers that people love them as a lot as I do.
• Salted butter The spine of any good linzer cookie. Softened salted butter offers the dough richness and taste, and creates that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with simply the correct amount of salt to stability sweetness.
• Granulated sugar Provides sweetness and construction. Sugar helps the cookies maintain their form as they bake whereas maintaining the feel crisp and light-weight—precisely what we would like for sandwich cookies.
• Egg Binds the dough collectively and provides tenderness. One egg offers the cookies simply sufficient richness with out making them cakey.
• All-purpose flour The sturdy base of the cookie. It supplies construction so the cut-outs bake evenly and keep sturdy sufficient to carry a beneficiant spoonful of jam.
• Cornmeal The twist! Cornmeal provides a sunny, golden colour and probably the most pleasant buttery crunch. It stands in for almond flour, giving the cookies texture with none nut taste.
• Baking powder A small carry to maintain the cookies gentle and crisp reasonably than dense. Simply sufficient to maintain them from feeling heavy.
• Kosher salt A pinch makes the buttery sweetness sing. With out it, the flavors fall flat.
• Vanilla extract Provides heat and depth—only a splash offers these easy cookies a basic bakery aroma.
• Strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry jam Select the jam that makes your coronary heart leap. It brings vivid sweetness and just a little tang to stability the wealthy cookie layers.
• Powdered sugar A snowy, festive end that provides a contact of additional sweetness and that signature linzer cookie look.
Now let’s carry collectively this linzer cookie recipe! It’s easy: within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or with a handheld mixer and a big mixing bowl), beat the butter and sugar collectively on medium pace till they’re pale, fluffy, and searching more than happy with themselves (about 3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla and blend for a full minute extra, pausing to scrape down the bowl so nothing will get left behind. In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry components to the butter combination and blend on low simply till the dough pulls collectively and begins to drag away from the perimeters of the bowl. It ought to really feel very tender and just a little sandy from the cornmeal. Flip the dough out onto a calmly floured counter, pat it gently right into a 1-inch thick disk (the thinner the disk the quicker it chills), and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let it relaxation within the fridge for not less than 3 hours (although really, in a single day is the place the magic occurs).
While you’re able to bake, seize your favourite giant spherical cutter (I like a 4-inch cutter for these big beauties) and minimize out as many rounds as you’ll be able to, transferring them to the ready baking sheets. Collect and re-roll any scraps becaues, no dough left behind.
For half of the cookies, use a smaller cutter (just a little circle, star, or coronary heart) to punch a window out of the middle. These shall be your tops, and so they’ll bake only a contact quicker, so keep watch over them. Bake the cookies for 10–13 minutes, till the sides are calmly golden and the facilities look set. Examine the tops across the 9-minute mark, simply to be secure. Let every little thing cool utterly on the baking sheets earlier than you even assume about assembling.
To assemble, spoon a tablespoon or two of your favourite jam onto every of the strong cookies. Gently press a cut-out cookie on high to make the prettiest little sandwich. If a little bit of jam squishes out the perimeters (congratulations, that’s a part of the Linzer attraction). End with a bathe of powdered sugar for those who’re feeling basic, or depart them plain and proud. Both approach, they’re big, beautiful, and unattainable to not love.
These cookies maintain fantastically in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 3 days. You may also retailer the unfilled cookies individually and assemble them as wanted (a fantastic trick for maintaining them crisp throughout cookie season).
And really, this can be a recipe price doubling. Someway the cookie tin is at all times mysteriously empty in the course of the holidays, and these big Linzers disappear quicker than you’d assume particularly alongside these Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies.
If you happen to make these cookies, I’d love to listen to how they turned out for you! Please depart a remark and a star score under as a result of your suggestions helps extra bakers discover this recipe. And you probably have any questions alongside the best way, pop them within the feedback. I’m right here that can assist you bake your most scrumptious vacation cookies but.
Joyful Holidays and Joyful Baking!
Description
These Big Cornmeal Linzer Cookies are a playful twist on the basic vacation cookie—tender, buttery cut-outs made additional particular with a scoop of golden cornmeal for probably the most irresistible crunch. Sandwiched together with your favourite vivid, jammy filling and dusted with powdered sugar, they’re festive, nostalgic, and simply outsized sufficient to really feel indulgent in the perfect approach. A easy, joyful cookie to bake and share all season lengthy.
- Within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a handheld mixer and an enormous bowl), beat the butter and sugar collectively on medium pace till pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat till totally mixed (1 full minute). Scrape down the bowl to make sure every little thing is evenly blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry combination to the butter combination, mixing on low pace till simply mixed. You’re searching for a tender dough that pulls away from the perimeters of the bowl. Flip the dough onto a calmly floured counter and gently pat it right into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and relaxation within the fridge for not less than 3 hours (although I believe in a single day is finest).
- While you’re able to bake the cookies, place a rack within the higher third of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and put aside. It is a cookie that likes just a little room to breathe.
- Roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a big spherical cutter (4 inches is my favourite for big cookies) to chop out your base cookies, putting them on the ready baking sheets. Re-roll scraps as wanted.
- For half of the cookies, use a smaller cutter (a 1-inch spherical, star, or coronary heart) to punch out a middle window. These shall be your tops.
- Bake the cookies for 10–13 minutes, or till the sides are calmly golden and the facilities look set. The tops will bake a bit quicker so give them an additional look on the 9-minute mark. Let the cookies cool utterly on the sheet earlier than assembling.
- As soon as cool, spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of jam onto every strong cookie. Gently press a cut-out cookie on high to make a sandwich. If the jam squishes out just a little, congratulations – that’s the attraction of a Linzer.
- If you happen to’re feeling basic, mud the tops with powdered sugar. If not, depart them golden and proud. Both approach, they’re big, beautiful, and scrumptious.
