Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie, its delicate heart shape crumbling slightly as it melts on your tongue. The sweet-tart flavor of cherry jam dances with the nutty aroma of toasted almonds, creating a symphony of taste that can only be described as heavenly. Valentine’s Day cookie cups These Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies are not just a treat; they’re an experience, perfect for sharing love on Valentine’s Day or any day you want to spread joy.
These cookies evoke fond memories of baking with grandma in her cozy kitchen, where flour dusted every surface and laughter filled the air. Whether enjoyed during holiday gatherings or simply as an afternoon snack with tea, these cookies promise to bring smiles and nostalgia in every bite.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies are surprisingly easy to prepare, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels
- Their delightful blend of flavors and textures will impress anyone who takes a bite
- The vibrant red cherry filling makes them visually stunning and perfect for festive occasions
- Versatile enough for any celebration, these cookies can also be filled with your favorite jams or spreads
Baking these cookies brought my family together last Christmas when everyone got involved in the decorating process. festive cranberry sauce.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
-
All-Purpose Flour: A must-have for the dough; ensure it’s fresh for the best texture.
-
Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for easy mixing and a rich flavor. rich chocolate cupcakes.
-
Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness; opt for fine sugar to blend smoothly. For more inspiration, check out this sweet potato au gratin recipe.
-
Powdered Sugar: Perfect for dusting the cookies before serving; it adds elegance and sweetness.
-
Almond Meal: Ground almonds give a lovely nutty flavor and texture to the cookies.
-
Cherry Jam: Choose your favorite brand or homemade jam for a burst of fruity goodness.
-
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla enhances the overall flavor; skip imitation extracts for best results.
-
Egg Yolk: This enriches the dough; make sure to use large eggs for consistency.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below. For more inspiration, check out this Thanksgiving cranberry stuffing recipe recipe.
Let’s Make it Together
Prepare Your Dough: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine flour, almond meal, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix well until evenly distributed.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in one egg yolk and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until smooth. The mixture should look creamy with no lumps.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir until combined but do not overmix; you want that tender cookie texture!
Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This step helps prevent spreading while baking.
Roll Out and Cut Shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out your chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to create shapes; remember to cut out centers for half of them!
Bake Your Cookies: Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets about an inch apart. Bake them in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until just golden around the edges.
Add Cherry Jam Filling: Once cooled completely, spread cherry jam on half of the cookies and place another cookie on top to create sandwiches.
Dust with Powdered Sugar**: Finally, dust your heart-shaped delights with powdered sugar before serving. They’re now ready to impress friends and family!
You Must Know
- Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies are not just sweet treats; their nutty flavor and tart cherry filling create a delightful contrast
- The aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the air, making them irresistible
- Perfect for sharing or enjoying with coffee, they add charm to any gathering
Perfecting the Cooking Process
To make Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies like a pro, start by creaming the butter and sugar until fluffy. Then, gradually mix in the dry ingredients while being careful not to overwork the dough. This sequence ensures a tender texture.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out the cherry jam for raspberry or apricot if you prefer. You can also add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra flavor kick. delightful raspberry dessert Personalizing your cookies makes them uniquely yours!
Storing & Reheating
Store your Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If they get a bit stale, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds to regain that fresh-baked softness.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- For a flaky cookie, chill the dough before rolling it out; this helps maintain shape during baking
- Always sift your flour to prevent lumps, ensuring even mixing and texture
- Use high-quality jam for the best flavor impact in each bite
I remember the first time I made these cookies; my friends devoured them and begged for the recipe! It felt amazing to share something that brought so much joy.
FAQ
What is the best type of jam for Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies?
High-quality cherry jam enhances flavor, but feel free to try other fruits too.
Can I freeze Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze them layered with parchment paper for freshness.
How do I avoid tough cookie dough?
Avoid overmixing after adding flour; this keeps your cookies tender and light.
Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Indulge in the heavenly taste of Cherry Linzer Heart Cookies, where soft, buttery dough meets a luscious cherry jam filling. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day you want to share joy, these cookies evoke sweet memories and are sure to impress your loved ones. With their charming heart shape and delightful flavor combination of nutty almonds and tart cherry, they’re a treat that brings smiles with every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cherry jam
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, almond meal, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolk and vanilla; mix until smooth.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet until just mixed.
- Chill dough for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out to 1/8 inch thick, cut heart shapes, and cut centers for half.
- Bake on ungreased sheets for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
- Cool cookies completely; spread cherry jam on half and sandwich with remaining cookies.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Leave a Comment