These Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies are a delicious and wholesome twist on a classic favorite featuring almond flour, maple syrup, and strawberry chia seed jam. A sweet indulgence with every bite and perfect for holiday cookie platters.
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Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Treat
Are you craving a gluten-free delight that combines the richness of almond flour with the sweetness of jam? These Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies are a delightful blend of nuttiness, sweetness, and fruity goodness. They are a wholesome twist on the classic holiday favorite and make the perfect healthier treat for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking to savor a unique twist on the classic sugar cookie.
Linzer Cookies are one of our favorite Christmas cookies and this recipe is made with a five ingredient shortbread cookie dough that is naturally sweetened, vegan and paleo-friendly with keto sweetener options.
Whether you follow the recipe to the letter or add your own personal touches, these cookies are sure to become a gluten-free favorite in your household.
What are Linzer Cookies?
Linzer torte cookies are shortbread cookies that resemble tarts and are filled with fruit jam or fruit preserves. The cut out shape on top mimics a lattice crust.
So where do Linzer Cookies originate from
Did you know the Linzertorte is an Austrian dessert tart made with ground almonds that was introduced by an Austrian baker to America around 1856.
Austrian Linzer cookies use the same recipe as a Linzer tart but are formed into a cookie sandwich with a raspberry jam filling. What I love about these beautiful gourmet cookies is that they can be served all year but are especially popular around Christmas.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Superfine Almond Flour: This gluten-free alternative lends a rich and nutty flavor to the cookies. You can opt for tigernut flour or gluten-free fine oat flour for a nut-free alternative.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that adds a touch of sweetness. Feel free to explore substitutes like allulose, vegan honey, or Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup for a lower sugar option.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
- Almond Extract (optional): For that signature sugar cookie taste.
- Fine Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- Homemade Strawberry Chia Seed Jam or Sugar-Free Jam/Preserves: Adds a burst of fruity goodness to the center of the cookies.
- Powdered Sugar or Sweetener of Choice: A finishing touch for that perfect sweetness. Opt for Lakanto powdered monk fruit sweetener for a lower sugar alternative.
Instructions: How to make Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine almond flour, sweetener, vanilla, optional almond extract, and salt. Mix until a dough starts to form.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 250°F.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the chilled dough into a 1/4” thickness between parchment paper. Use Linzer cookie cutters to cut equal outer rounds and inner shapes, re-rolling scraps as needed.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the cookies are just slightly golden on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool for 15 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Success
- Consistent Dough Thickness: Maintain an even 1/4” thickness while rolling out the dough to ensure uniform baking.
- Parchment Paper Trick: Place the parchment paper with cut-out cookies directly on the baking sheet to prevent any distortion during transfer.
- Dough Chilling: Ensure the dough is properly chilled for easy handling and cutting.
- Jam Flavors: Experiment with different jam flavors for a personalized touch.
- Flour: Use quality almond flour for the best texture and taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delightful cookies with a hot cup of tea, coffee, hot cocoa, gingerbread latte, or our homemade peppermint mocha for a perfect afternoon treat. They also make for a charming addition to dessert platters during special occasions.
Variations
Feel free to get creative with the jam filling. Raspberry, apricot, or even a citrus marmalade can add exciting flavor variations to these cookies.
- Flavor-Infused Almond Flour: Consider using almond flour infused with vanilla or citrus essence for an extra layer of flavor.
- Enhance Jam Intensity: Mix a bit of lemon or orange zest into the jam for an added burst of citrusy brightness.
- Chocolate Drizzle: After baking, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies for a decadent touch.
- Nutty Crunch: Roll the cookie edges in finely chopped nuts before baking for an added crunchy texture.
Substitutions
Experiment with alternative flours like tigernut flour or gluten-free oat flour for a unique twist. Adjust the sweetener to your preference, exploring options like allulose or Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup for a lower sugar content.
- Nut-Free Option: Swap almond flour with tigernut flour, gluten-free fine oat flour or sunflower seed flour for a nut-free alternative.
- Customized Sweetness: Combine different sweeteners to find your perfect balance, mixing maple syrup with a touch of stevia, for instance.
Serving Suggestions
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two Linzer Cookies for an indulgent treat.
- Holiday Platter Elegance: Arrange these cookies alongside other festive treats for a visually stunning holiday dessert platter.
- Tea Party Elegance: Serve these cookies at your next tea party for an elegant touch that pairs perfectly with assorted teas.
- DIY Cookie Box: Gift a selection of our sugar cookies, snowballs, gingerbread cookies and these healthy Linzer Cookies in beautifully decorated Christmas cookie boxes for thoughtful homemade gifts during the holidays.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
- Refrigeration: To keep your Linzer Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Allow cookies to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Layering for Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. Be sure to separate layers of cookies with parchment paper when freezing to prevent them from sticking together.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Can I use a different fruit jam for the Linzer Cookies?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with various fruit jams to suit your taste. Raspberry, apricot, or even a citrus marmalade can add exciting flavor variations to these cookies.
Q2: How can I prevent the Linzer Cookie dough from sticking while rolling?
Chilling the dough is key. Make sure to wrap the dough in plastic and freeze it for 15 minutes before rolling. Additionally, using parchment paper between the dough and your rolling pin helps prevent sticking.
Q3: Can I make these cookies ahead of time and freeze them?
Certainly! These cookies freeze well. Layer them between parchment paper in a sealed container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to three months. Just bring them to room temperature before serving.
Q4: Can I customize the sweetness level of the cookies?
Absolutely! Adjust the sweetener according to your preference. Mix and match sweeteners like maple syrup with stevia for a customized sweetness that suits your taste buds.
Q5: How do I avoid the cookies becoming too crispy?
Keep a close eye on the baking time. Remove the cookies from the oven when they are just slightly golden on the bottom. This ensures a perfect balance between crispiness and a chewy center.
Q6: Any tips for creating a visually appealing cookie platter?
For an elegant touch, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies or roll the edges in finely chopped nuts. These decorative elements add both visual appeal and extra flavor.
Q7: What’s the ideal thickness for the Linzer Cookie dough?
Maintain an even 1/4” thickness while rolling out the dough. This ensures that the cookies bake uniformly and have the perfect texture.
Q8: Can I serve Linzer Cookies with something other than tea or coffee?
Absolutely! Get creative and turn them into ice cream sandwiches for a delightful dessert or include them in a holiday platter with an assortment of treats for a visually stunning presentation.
More gluten-free Christmas cookies you’ll love:
These Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies are a delicious and wholesome twist on a classic favorite featuring almond flour, maple syrup, and strawberry chia seed jam. A sweet indulgence with every bite and perfect for holiday cookie platters.
- 2 cups superfine almond flour , for a nut-free option, you can try using tigernut flour or sunflower seed flour. Gluten-free fine oat flour works too if you're not grain-free.
- 1/2 cup maple syrup , you can also sub with another sticky liquid sweetener such as allulose, vegan honey or Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup for a lower sugar option.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp almond extract , optional but adds that signature sugar cookie flavor
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup homemade strawberry chia seed jam OR use your favorite sugar-free jam/preserves
- Powdered sugar or powdered sweetener of your choice, sifted. Opt for powdered maple sugar for paleo or Lakanto powdered monk fruit sweetener for a lower sugar option.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, sweetener, vanilla, optional almond extract & salt & mix until dough starts to form. Knead dough with your hands and form into a large ball.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap & freeze for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 250F.
- Remove dough from fridge & roll into 1/4” thickness in between two large pieces of parchment paper.
- Use Linzer cookie cutters & cut into equal outer rounds & inner shapes - re-rolling scraps as needed. Use both hands to lift the edges of the parchment paper with the cut-out cookies & transfer onto the baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating halfway through, until cookies are just slightly golden on bottom. Allow to cool for 15 minutes then lift the parchment paper to transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
How to store:
- Refrigeration: To keep your Linzer Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Allow cookies to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Layering for Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. Be sure to separate layers of cookies with parchment paper when freezing to prevent them from sticking together.
Did you try this recipe?
melissa -
wow, made these on the weekend with my daughter and they were a hit. thanks
Lily -
yum, made these on the weekend and they came out so good! my daughter and husband want another batch 🙂
cheryl -
these are amazing! we made them last year and they are back again for this holiday season. a keeper, thanks!
Mary -
cant believe these are paleo!!! absolutely delicious and light. the chia jam is a perfect addition. definitely make sure to freeze the dough it helps with the cookie cutting!!! Amazing recipe, Kelly!