Easy Linzer Cookies Recipe (6 Ingredients)

You’ll love these soft and buttery Linzer cookies filled with jam! This shortbread sandwich cookie is perfect for Christmas gifting or cookie exchanges. They only have six ingredients.

I love baking cookies for cookie exchanges! Actually, let me correct myself.

I love baking cookies for cookie exchanges when: 1) I have enough time to make a more complicated cookie or 2) I have an easy and delicious recipe that I can do quickly.

I wish I were Mrs. Fields or a Keebler Elf, and I could come up with a unique cookie recipe at a moments notice, but I can’t.

I have to have that kind of stuff on hand.

If you’re like me, I think you’re going to like these linzer cookies! Actually I think you’re going to LOVE this recipe. Not only is it tasty, but there six ingredients. That means it’s really easy.

These linzer biscuits are soft and buttery shortbread cookies sandwiched together with jam and dusted with powdered sugar. They are very tasty but not too overwhelming or rich.

They are melt-in-the-mouth soft and decadent with light vanilla flavors. AND they are pretty, which I love.

If you’re showing up to a Christmas party with these, people will think you spent a lot longer on them than you did. We always like that, don’t we?

Tips for Making Delicious Cookies

Before you dive into this recipe, I’ve got some tips for you on making the best (and tastiest) cookies. If you’re interested, check them out. Otherwise scroll to the bottom for the recipe.

Use Quality Ingredients

Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best cookie flavor and texture. You’ll for sure want to get good quality butter and pure vanilla extract (instead of imitation).

Measure Precisely

Flour is often the main dry ingredient in these cookies. Measure using the scoop-and-level method, as adding too much flour can result in dry baked goods.

Bring Cold Ingredients to Room Temp

Bring ingredients like butter to room temperature before mixing. They will incorporate better, resulting in smoother batter and soft cookies. It doesn’t need to be warm; slightly cool to room temp is fine.

Avoid Overmixing

Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined, or the dry disappears into the wet. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.

Chill the Dough

Chilling the cookie dough in the fridge for the specified time (or even overnight) before baking allows the flavors to meld and the fats to solidify. This results in cookies with better flavor and texture. It also prevents them from spreading too much during baking.

Look for Golden Edges

Unless the recipe says otherwise, the edges of the cookies should turn a golden brown while the center remains slightly soft. This balance ensures a chewy texture without overbaking.

Cool Before Transferring

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and avoids them becoming too fragile and crumbling apart.

Remember, practicing and experimenting will help you perfect your cookie baking skills over time. Have fun and enjoy the process of creating delicious baked goods! Here’s what you’re going to need for these linzer cookies.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar) + 2 tablespoons for dusting
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 Tablespoons strawberry jam (or more as required)

These taste great with any type of jam. My favorites are strawberry, raspberry, and apricot.

I used a snowflake-shaped cookie cutter for these linzers, but you can use any shape(s) you like. You can always do round with another shape inside. Mix it up!

You can fill the center of sandwich cookies with jam using a spoon or piping bag if it looks a bit empty or you missed spots.

You can store these in an airtight container for 8-10 days at room temperature. The moisture in the jam will further soften the cookies when stored. So, if you want them to be a bit crisp, assemble them just before serving.

You can also freeze them in an airtight container for two-three months. Wrap in plastic and put them in an airtight container.

When you bring them out of the freezer, let them rise to room temperature naturally as opposed to microwaving.

Get the printable recipe for these cookies below:

---

If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other baked goodies and cookies:

Almond Flour Shortbread • Apple Pie • Apricot Dark Chocolate • Bacon Chocolate Chip • Brownie Chocolate Chip • Christmas Butter • Christmas Crack • Buckeye • Butterscotch Chocolate Chip • Butterscotch Popcorn • Caramel Apple • Chocolate Chip (Air Fryer) • Chocolate Chip Pudding • Chocolate Chip Sandwich • Chocolate Marshmallow • Chocolate Mint Sandwich • Chocolate Thumbprint • Circus Animal • Cotton Candy • Ginger Molasses • Halloween M&M • Heath Bar • Nutella Stuffed • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip • Oatmeal Cream Pies • Paleo Shortbread • Peanut Butter Blossoms • Peppermint Frosted • Peppermint Pudding • Red Velvet Thumbprint • Reese’s Pieces • Reindeer • Ritz S’mores • Rolo • Santa • Shortbread Tea • Snickers • Vanilla • Whoopie Pies