Name: Heart-Shaped Linzer Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Austrian
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup finely ground almonds or hazelnuts (almond flour works great); ¾ cup powdered sugar; ¼ tsp salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp cinnamon (optional); ½ to ¾ cup raspberry or apricot jam; Powdered sugar, for dusting

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There’s something instantly charming about a plate of heart-shaped Linzer cookies: the snowy powdered sugar, the little “window” showing a jewel-like jam center, and that tender, buttery bite that melts the second you taste it. These heart-shaped Linzer cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, holiday cookie boxes, or a simple afternoon treat with tea. They look fancy, but they’re surprisingly easy once you know the little tricks, like chilling the dough and dusting the tops after baking.

If you love pretty cookies that feel like a gift, this is the one to keep in your back pocket.

Why You’ll Love These Heart-Shaped Linzer Cookies

Elegant but approachable: bakery-style look with simple steps
Tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture: thanks to butter and ground nuts
Customizable fillings: raspberry, apricot, strawberry, or chocolate-hazelnut spread
Perfect for gifting: they stack beautifully in tins

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cookie Dough

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely ground almonds or hazelnuts (almond flour works great)
¾ cup powdered sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon (optional but classic)

Filling + Finish

½ to ¾ cup raspberry jam or apricot jam
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Optional filling swap: chocolate-hazelnut spread (instead of jam)

How to Make Heart-Shaped Linzer Cookies

1) Make the dough

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ground nuts, powdered sugar, salt, and cinnamon (if using).

Add the cold butter cubes and rub in with your fingertips (or use a pastry cutter) until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

Add the egg and vanilla and mix until a dough forms.

2) Chill

Shape dough into a disk, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).

This makes the cookies easier to cut and helps them hold their shape.

3) Roll and cut hearts

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.

Roll dough to about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thickness on a lightly floured surface.

Cut hearts for the bottoms. For half of them, cut a small heart window in the center (these will be the tops).

4) Bake

Bake 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just lightly golden.

Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

5) Fill and assemble

Dust the top cookies (with cutouts) with powdered sugar.

Spread jam on the bottom cookies (about 1 tsp each), then gently sandwich with the sugared tops.

Let them sit 15–20 minutes so the jam settles and the texture becomes perfect.

Time + Yield

Prep: 25 minutes
Chill: 1 hour
Bake: 8–10 minutes per batch
Total: ~1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: ~18–22 sandwich cookies (depends on cutter size)

Make-Ahead Tips

Dough can be made 2 days ahead and kept chilled.
Baked cookies (unfilled) keep best in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
Assemble with jam the day you serve for the prettiest finish.

How to Store Linzer Cookies

Room temp: 3–4 days in an airtight container (best texture after the first day!)
Fridge: up to 1 week, but bring to room temp before serving
Freezer: freeze unfilled cookies up to 2 months; thaw and fill fresh

Freshness cue: the powdered sugar should look dry and snowy, not melted into the cookie.

Variations (So You Can Match the Photo + Your Audience)

Classic jam combo: raspberry + apricot (like the photo)
Nut-free version: replace ground nuts with extra flour (texture is slightly less “Linzer,” still delicious)
Chocolate center: swap jam for chocolate-hazelnut spread
Citrus twist: add 1 tsp orange zest to the dough

FAQ

Can I use almond flour instead of grinding nuts?

Yes, use fine almond flour for the smoothest dough.

Why did my cookies spread?

Usually the butter got warm. Chill cut cookies for 10 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm.

Do Linzer cookies get softer over time?

Yes, and that’s the magic. After a few hours, the jam gently softens the cookie into that classic tender bite.

Final Thoughts

These heart-shaped Linzer cookies are the kind of treat that instantly makes a table feel festive, powdered sugar like snow, a glossy jam “heart” in the middle, and a buttery bite that tastes like a warm holiday memory. Make a batch for Valentine’s Day, add them to a cookie box, or keep them on the counter for little sweet moments all week long.

Heart-Shaped Linzer Cookies

Author: anastasia-rice
Total Time: 105 minutes
Yield: 18-22 sandwich cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Elegant heart-shaped cookies with a buttery texture and a delicious jam filling, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any festive occasion.

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ground nuts, powdered sugar, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Add cold butter cubes and rub until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the egg and vanilla; mix until a dough forms. Shape dough into a disk, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Cut hearts for the bottoms and half of them for the tops with a heart window.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Dust tops with powdered sugar, spread jam on the bottoms, and sandwich together. Let sit for 15–20 minutes.