Buttery Cranberry Orange Linzer Cookies: A Cozy Recipe for the Holiday Season
There’s something magical about the Holiday season. The air is crisp, and the scent of spices wafts through our warm kitchens, filling the space with comfort. One of my favorite Holiday traditions is baking cookies that not only taste divine but also bring a sense of nostalgia. The Buttery Cranberry Orange Linzer Cookies are a delightful treat that combines a rich, buttery cookie with a sweet, tangy cranberry filling, all kissed with a hint of orange zest. Just thinking about the golden, tender cookies dusted with powdered sugar makes my heart flutter.
These lovely cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family, making them an ideal addition to your holiday cookie platter or as gifts to brighten someone’s day. Plus, they come together easily, allowing you to soak in the cozy moments with loved ones. This is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tender and Buttery: The perfect blend of creaminess and crispness, making every bite melt in your mouth.
- Zesty Goodness: The addition of orange zest provides a refreshing burst of flavor that complements the tart cranberry jam beautifully.
- Great for Gifting: Pack them up in festive boxes or tins, and you have an easy, heartfelt gift for friends and family.
- Fun to Make with Kids: Get little hands involved in cutting out shapes and filling the cookies. It’s a delightful way to create memories.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether for holiday gatherings, tea parties, or just because, these cookies fit every moment!
What You’ll Need
To make these delightful Buttery Cranberry Orange Linzer Cookies, gather the following simple ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup cranberry jam or preserves
- 1 egg (optional, for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Let’s Make It Together
Creating your own Buttery Cranberry Orange Linzer Cookies is easier than you might think! Follow these steps, and soon you’ll have a batch of golden, tender cookies cooling on your countertop.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with the vanilla extract and orange zest until light and fluffy, imagining the mouthwatering aroma swirling in your kitchen.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Feel free to use your hands if you want to bring the dough together more fully!
- Divide the dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick, envisioning the warm and cozy cookies you’ll soon treat your loved ones to.
- Cut out cookies with a cookie cutter, using a smaller cutter to create a cutout in half of them for the tops.
- Place the whole cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and fill the centers with cranberry jam, letting the sweet filling peek through.
- Top each jam-filled cookie with a cutout cookie and press gently to seal the edges.
- (Optional) Brush the tops with an egg wash for that shiny, golden finish that adds to the allure of these treats.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges.
- Allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar, transforming them into a snowy spectacle that’s hard to resist!
Delicious Variations to Try
If you want to play around with flavors and creativity, here are some fun twists on the classic Linzer cookie:
- Spiced Pear Filling: Try substituting the cranberry jam with pear preserves for a sweet, cozy alternative that pairs wonderfully with the orange zest.
- Chocolate Raspberry Version: Use raspberry jam and fold in some cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolaty treat that will delight any chocolate lover.
- Nutty Addition: Add finely chopped almonds or hazelnuts to the dough for a delightful crunch that complements the buttery texture.
- Lemon Zest Swap: Substitute the orange zest with lemon for a zesty twist that gives a bright, refreshing flavor.
Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips
- Make-Ahead Magic: The cookie dough can be made ahead of time and frozen. Simply wrap in plastic and store in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out.
- Jam Options: Get creative with your fillings! Any fruit preserves, such as apricot or blueberry, can give your cookies a unique taste.
- Rolling Out Dough: If the dough feels too sticky, lightly flour your surface and rolling pin to make it easier to roll out.
- Storage Suggestions: Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week—if they last that long!
What’s Inside – Nutrition Breakdown
- Serving size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sugar: 9g
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 50mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a few days in advance or even freeze it for a later time.
Can I use different ingredients?
Sure! Feel free to substitute the cranberry jam with your favorite jam or preserve.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for freshness.
How long does it last?
If stored properly, these cookies can last up to a week—perfect for savoring throughout the Holidays!
Wrapping It Up
These Buttery Cranberry Orange Linzer Cookies are not only delicious but also a lovely way to share the warmth of the season with those you love. Their delicate, tender texture and sweet filling, dusted with powdered sugar, make them a true delight. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Holiday baking board so it’s ready when you need a cozy treat! Happy baking, friends!
Print
Buttery Cranberry Orange Linzer Cookies
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful buttery cookies filled with sweet cranberry jam and kissed with orange zest, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup cranberry jam or preserves
- 1 egg (optional, for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with the vanilla extract and orange zest until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out cookies with a cookie cutter, using a smaller cutter to create a cutout in half of them.
- Place the whole cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and fill the centers with cranberry jam.
- Top each jam-filled cookie with a cutout cookie and press gently to seal the edges.
- (Optional) Brush the tops with an egg wash.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar.
Notes
These cookies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: holiday cookies, linzer cookies, cranberry, orange, baking