Name: Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 4 h
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2/3 cup (100g) salted roasted almonds; 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 3/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1/2 cup (160g) cherry preserves; 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar; 1–2 Tablespoons whole milk; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract or pure vanilla extract (or 1/4 teaspoon each)

There's something truly magical about biting into a Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe — the nutty crunch, the sweet cherry jam, and that lovely almond essence all wrapped up in a delicate sandwich cookie. I’ve made these cookies many times, and they never fail to brighten a day or make a gift feel extra special.

A white plate with a delicate snowflake pattern holds a stack of tree-shaped cookies, each with a white icing layer on top that has a smooth, slightly shiny texture. The middle of the cookies has a star-shaped cutout filled with bright red jam, which looks glossy and slightly translucent. The cookies are arranged closely on the plate over a white marbled surface. Around the plate, there are whole red cherries in a small white bowl and some almonds in another white bowl, adding contrasting textures and colors to the soft pastel pink background. 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 Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe because it strikes that perfect balance between elegant and approachable. Whether you're new to baking cookies or consider yourself a seasoned pro, I’ve designed this recipe to be straightforward and foolproof, with tips that come straight from my kitchen trials.

Rich Nutty Flavor: Using roasted salted almonds in the dough gives these cookies a wonderfully deep almond flavor that stands out, unlike any plain cookie.
Customizable Jam Filling: While cherry preserves are classic, you can easily swap in your favorite jam or curd to make these cookies uniquely yours.
Perfect Texture: The crisp yet tender cookie paired with a luscious jam and light icing creates a delightful contrast you’ll crave every holiday season.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough days in advance or freeze the dough and even finished cookies, making holiday prep easier than ever.

The image shows several tree-shaped cookies with a smooth white icing layer on top. Each cookie has a small star-shaped cutout in the center, through which red jam filling is visible, adding a shiny, textured layer underneath the icing. The cookies are golden-brown around the edges with a slightly crumbly texture. They are placed on a silver wire cooling rack set on a light pink surface with some crumbs scattered around. One cookie in the top left corner has a bite taken out, showing the jam and cookie layers clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe plays a role in building layered flavor and texture. I always keep quality almonds and real extracts on hand, because these small choices really elevate the cookies. Here's the scoop on what matters and why:

Flat lay of salted roasted almonds, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small pile of ground cinnamon powder, a small pile of baking powder, a small heap of salt crystals, a softened stick of unsalted butter, a small heap of granulated sugar, one large whole egg with clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth cherry preserves, a small white ceramic bowl of confectioners’ sugar, and a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk 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

Salted Roasted Almonds: Adds toasted nuttiness with a subtle saltiness, which balances the sweetness beautifully. If you only have unsalted, add a pinch of salt.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure while keeping the cookie tender when combined properly with butter and almonds.
Baking Powder: A modest lift so the cookies aren't dense but stay delicate.
Cinnamon: A hint of warm spice that deepens the flavor without overpowering.
Salt: Essential for balance; a little goes a long way in enhancing all the flavors.
Unsalted Butter: The star of moisture and richness — using unsalted allows you to control salt perfectly.
Granulated Sugar: The sweetness foundation, it also helps create a tender crumb when creamed with butter.
Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds tenderness; room temperature works best for an even dough.
Vanilla & Almond Extracts: These extracts bring out the cookie's classic flavor profile — don't skip the almond extract for that authentic Linzer vibe.
Cherry Preserves: The fruity jam centerpiece in the sandwich; cherry is traditional but any smooth preserves work.
Confectioners’ Sugar: For that glossy icing that seals the cookie sandwiches with a delicate sweetness.
Whole Milk: Thins the icing just enough to dip; you want it thick but not clumpy.

📝

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

I like to switch things up depending on the occasion. These cookies are wonderfully versatile, so feel free to personalize them! Whether it’s adding a different jam or tweaking the spices, you'll find fun ways to make this recipe your own.

Jam Swaps: I've tried apricot and raspberry preserves with great success. Each brings a fresh twist to the classic cherry flavor—plus they’re great for using up whatever jam you have on hand.
Nut Alternatives: Though I love almonds here, hazelnuts or walnuts can bring a new dimension if you want to experiment or accommodate allergies (just adjust the salt accordingly).
No-Icing Option: For a lighter treat, dust the cookies with powdered sugar instead of the glaze; it’s simpler yet just as charming.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Almonds and Dry Ingredients

The almond step is key! Toss the salted roasted almonds in your food processor. Pulse them just until finely chopped but not powdery—think crunchy bits rather than almond flour. This texture adds delightful nuttiness. In a medium bowl, whisk the chopped almonds with flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to get these dry ingredients well combined. Setting this aside now helps speed up the later mixing.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Using a stand or handheld mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the room-temperature butter and sugar on high speed until completely smooth and light, about 3 minutes. It’s worth taking your time here—the creamier the better. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts, then mix again until fully incorporated. Don’t skip scraping down the bowl sides to keep everything uniform.

Step 3: Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients

Switch your mixer to low speed and add your dry mixture to the wet. Mix just until combined; the dough will be thick and crumbly but should come together as one mass. The texture is important here—too much mixing can toughen the dough, so keep it gentle.

Step 4: Chill the Dough Discs

Divide the dough into two even portions, gently pressing each into a flat disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then chill for at least 3 hours, or up to 4 days if you want to prep ahead. This chilling step firms up the dough and develops flavor—so don’t rush it!

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut

When ready to bake, take one dough disc out and let it sit at room temperature for 10–30 minutes to soften enough to roll. Flour your surface, rolling pin, and hands liberally to prevent sticking. Roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. If cracks appear, give it a few more minutes to warm slightly—dough softness really helps the process. Use a 2- or 3-inch cookie cutter for shapes.

For half the cookies, use a small (1-inch) cutter to create a window in the center—these are your top cookies. Don’t have a small cutter? A straw or small knife works in a pinch. Arrange cookies spaced about 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 11-12 minutes or until just beginning to brown around the edges. Let the cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. It's tempting to assemble while warm, but patience yields better texture and easier icing.

Step 7: Prepare the Icing

Whisk confectioners’ sugar with about 1 tablespoon milk and almond or vanilla extract until smooth. Add milk one teaspoon at a time if needed—the glaze should be thick enough to coat but still fluid enough to drip slightly. This part is forgiving, so take your time to get a nice consistency.

Step 8: Ice the Tops and Assemble

Dip each top cookie lightly in the glaze, letting excess drip away. Set them aside to dry a bit—no need for a full set before assembly, but a little drying helps avoid mess. Spread a thin layer (about ½ teaspoon) of cherry preserves on the bottom cookies, then gently sandwich them with the iced tops. Press carefully; you want them snug but not squished.

Top Tip

Trust me, after baking these Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe several times, I’ve learned that patience at the chilling and rolling stages makes all the difference. Hard dough is tough to work with, but letting it soften just right makes rolling smooth and prevents cracking.

Proper Almond Chopping: Don't overprocess almonds into powder; keep some fine chunks for texture and flavor bursts.
Let Dough Rest After Chilling: I always wait 10-30 minutes before rolling hard dough—this prevents breakage and makes cutting out shapes easier.
Generous Flour Use: Flour your surface, rolling pin, and hands well to avoid sticky messes—plus it helps keep the dough’s texture crisp.
Glaze Consistency: Aim for a glaze thick enough to stick well but thin enough to coat easily—add milk in tiny increments and whisk thoroughly.

How to Serve Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe

Cherry Almond Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with just the icing glaze, but sometimes I sprinkle a few finely chopped toasted almonds on the wet icing for a delicate crunchy touch. A dusting of powdered sugar over the top cookies also adds a festive flair.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or a steaming mug of cocoa. If you’re hosting, I love setting them alongside a cheese board with mild cheeses and fresh fruit for a sweet-savory contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve gifted these cookies stacked in pretty tins with ribbons for the holidays. For parties, you can arrange them on tiered stands or nestle them in festive cupcake liners to make serving easy and classy. Don’t be afraid to get creative with shapes if you’re making these year-round — heart cutters for Valentine’s Day are always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Linzer cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay perfectly fresh for about 2 days, which is usually how long they last in my house! For keeping longer, the refrigerator will extend freshness up to a week.

Freezing

I freeze the dough and the finished iced sandwich cookies with success. For dough, wrap discs tightly and freeze up to 3 months — thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling. For baked and iced cookies, freeze in single layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking, then thaw gently in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

Linzer cookies don’t require reheating, but if you like your cookies a bit warm, I pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 3-4 minutes. This refreshes their texture without melting the icing or jam.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use raw almonds instead of salted roasted almonds?

Yes! If you use raw or unsalted almonds, add an extra pinch of salt to the dough to balance the flavors since salted roasted almonds add that slight savory note.

What if I don’t have a small cookie cutter for the center hole?

No worries! You can use the end of a straw or carefully carve small holes with a paring knife. It’s a fun way to get creative, like making tiny ornament shapes on holiday cookies.

Can I skip the icing on top?

Absolutely! Instead of icing, you can dust the top cookies with powdered sugar for a simpler finish that's still lovely and festive.

How long can I keep the cookie dough in the fridge?

You can keep the wrapped dough discs in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, which is perfect for making ahead of time before baking.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Almond Linzer Cookies Recipe is one of those sweet projects I love returning to, especially during the holidays. The layers of almond, cherry, and cinnamon just feel cozy and festive. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—and discover your own little twists to make these your signature treat. Now go ahead, grab that rolling pin, and let’s get baking!