Description
Delightfully buttery Linzer Heart Cookies filled with a rich chocolate ganache make a perfect treat for special occasions. These classic cookies combine almond-infused dough with a luscious chocolate filling, dusted with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup ground almonds (or almond flour)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Chocolate Filling
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Finishing
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground almonds, salt, and ground cinnamon. In a separate bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Roll and Cut Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out an even number of cookies. On half of these, cut out smaller heart shapes in the center to create the ‘windows’. Place all cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make Chocolate Filling: In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir gently until smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Assemble Cookies: Spread a small spoonful of the chocolate filling on the solid heart cookie bases. Top each with a heart-shaped cookie with the cut-out window, pressing gently to sandwich the layers together.
- Optional Dusting: Lightly dust the assembled Linzer heart cookies with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is well chilled before rolling to prevent sticking and help maintain cookie shape during baking.
- You can substitute almond extract with more vanilla extract if preferred, though almond extract adds a traditional flavor.
- The chocolate filling can be warmed slightly if it thickens too much before spreading.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
