There’s something so charming about a cookie that looks fancy but feels effortless to make—and these Easy Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe fit the bill perfectly. With their tender almond shortbread and sweet jam center, they’re truly a treat that brightens any afternoon tea or holiday gathering.

A group of round cookies with scalloped edges sit on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: a pale golden bottom layer and a top layer dusted thickly with white powdered sugar. The top layer has various small shapes cut out in the center, such as triangles, circles, flowers, and diamonds, showing a translucent orange filling beneath. The powdered sugar contrasts with the warm orange color of the filling, and the cookies are closely arranged, creating a visually appealing pattern. 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 Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made Linzer Cookies from scratch several times now, and this version stands out because it’s foolproof and doesn’t require fancy techniques—yet comes out beautifully every time. Honestly, they’re a breeze and look like you spent hours.

Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses everyday pantry staples, plus almond flour for that signature nutty flavor.
Minimal Fuss: Rolling and cutting dough is straightforward with easy chilling steps to make shaping a snap.
Customizable Filling: You get to pick your favorite jam or curd—which means they never get boring.
Beautiful Presentation: The dusting of powdered sugar on the cut-out tops gives them a classic, inviting look.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here is chosen to create that delicate balance between a tender crumb and rich flavor. The almond flour adds a subtle nuttiness that's essential for authentic Linzer Cookies, while the vanilla and powdered sugar keep everything sweet and aromatic.

Flat lay of a small mound of pale yellow unsalted butter at room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden vanilla bean paste, a neat pile of all-purpose white flour, a small heap of light tan almond flour, a tiny white ceramic bowl containing kosher salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red raspberry jam for filling, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed 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: Softened butter creates that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Powdered Sugar: It blends smoothly into the dough, giving a smooth sweetness without grit.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Adds a lovely depth of flavor that lifts the cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough, providing structure.
Almond Flour: Key for that nutty flavor and slightly crumbly texture.
Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor overall.
Jam or Curd: Your choice here makes the cookies versatile—anything from raspberry to lemon curd works beautifully.
Powdered Sugar for Dusting: Adds the final touch of charm and sweetness to the top cookies.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Easy Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe is how easy it is to swap in different flavors or shapes. You can truly make them your own—maybe a little less traditional or extra festive.

Variation: I like swapping the classic raspberry jam for a tart cherry or even a homemade lemon curd to surprise my family—they never guess it’s the same cookie base.
Gluten-Free Option: You can try replacing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but be sure to chill the dough longer to help it hold together.
Seasonal Twist: Around holidays, adding a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest to the dough gives them a festive flair that everyone loves.

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

A top view of a shiny metal bowl placed on a white marbled surface, filled with creamy, smooth light brown dough or batter that has swirled peaks and soft folds showing texture and slight airiness, with some flour residue lightly dusted on the edges inside the bowl photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

This first step is all about texture. Beat your softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—usually around 3-4 minutes. It’s key to get this right because you want an airy base for your cookies. A stand mixer helps here, but a hand mixer works just fine too.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients Gently

Next, add the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt. Mix just until everything comes together—overworking the dough can toughen it up. When the dough forms a ball, stop mixing; perfect!

Step 3: Roll and Chill Your Dough

I roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper—that’s a total game-changer for easy cleanup and keeping a uniform thickness of about 6mm (a quarter-inch). Then, the dough heads to the fridge for at least two hours to firm up. Patience here pays off by making cutting easier and the cookies hold their shape better.

Step 4: Cut Out Your Cookies and Freeze Briefly

Once chilled, I peel off the top parchment and start cutting out circles with a 2-inch fluted cutter. For half of the cookies, I use a small shaped cutter (heart, star, or circle) to cut out the center. This keeps the classic Linzer design. Don’t worry about scraps—you can re-roll those bits. I always pop the cut cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes before baking to help them set perfectly.

Step 5: Bake Until Lightly Golden

Baking takes 11-12 minutes at 325°F (160°C), one tray at a time. You'll see the edges start to turn a gentle golden color—that's your cue to take them out. Don't let them brown too much, or you'll lose the delicate flavor.

Step 6: Assemble with Jam and a Dusting of Sugar

After your cookies cool completely, dust the tops (with cut-outs) generously with powdered sugar. Then spread your chosen jam or curd on the solid cookie bottoms—just enough so it can squish out slightly when you sandwich them together. I always place the cookie bottom side facing the baking sheet down (the smoothest side up) to keep the “good” finish on the outside.

Top Tip

After making these cookies a handful of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make this recipe shine and your baking experience smoother.

Keep Ingredients Cold: Chilling your dough well is crucial—it prevents spreading and keeps the shapes crisp.
Use Parchment Paper for Rolling: Rolling between parchment saves you from sticky dough and less flour means softer cookies.
Don’t Overfill: Adding too much jam can cause the cookies to slide or get soggy, so be generous but controlled.
Freeze Before Baking: This little step helps the cookies keep their shape and texture—don’t skip it!

How to Serve Easy Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe

Garnishes

I love a simple dusting of powdered sugar for that classic Linzer look—it’s like a light snow dusting that makes the jam peek out even more. Sometimes, if it’s a special occasion, I finish off with a tiny drizzle of melted dark chocolate just to add a touch of richness.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of strong coffee or a fragrant black tea like Earl Grey. During holiday gatherings, I arrange them alongside a cheese platter for a sweet and savory contrast that never disappoints.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve wrapped finished Linzer Cookies in clear cellophane tied with twine and a little sprig of rosemary for an elegant homemade gift. Layering them on vintage cake stands or festive plates always gets compliments, too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store the assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for about 3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long around here!

Freezing

You can freeze both the cookie dough and the baked cookies. For dough, wrap it tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, freeze assembled or unassembled in airtight containers separated by parchment to prevent sticking. They thaw perfectly at room temperature.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop the cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes—just enough to soften them without melting the filling or powdered sugar dusting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought almond flour for this recipe?

Yes! Store-bought almond flour or almond meal works perfectly here. Just make sure to get a finely ground variety, which helps the cookies have that tender, smooth texture.

What’s the best way to prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least two hours—and freezing cut-out cookies before baking—are the best ways to keep their shape and prevent spreading during baking.

Can I substitute the jam with other fillings?

Absolutely! Lemon curd, chocolate ganache, or even Nutella are delicious alternatives that work well with this buttery almond cookie base.

How long do these Linzer cookies last?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about 3 days. If you separate cookies and filling and assemble as needed, they can last a bit longer.

Final Thoughts

These Easy Linzer Cookies with Jam Filling Recipe have become my go-to whenever I want a dessert that tastes like you put in a ton of effort but really just took a little time and care. I love sharing them with friends and watching faces light up wondering how something so pretty can be so simple. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll find yourself making Linzer Cookies over and over again—it’s that kind of treat.