Description
Delight in these Austrian-inspired Dulce de Leche Linzer Cookies, featuring buttery almond-spiced dough sandwiched with creamy dulce de leche and dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for holiday treats or anytime indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely ground almonds or almond flour
Filling and Finishing
- ½ to ¾ cup dulce de leche (for filling)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, salt, and ground almonds. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness.
- Cut the Cookies: Use a round or fluted cookie cutter about 2 inches wide to cut out cookies. For half of the cookies, use a smaller cutter to create a window in the center to mimic traditional Linzer style. Transfer all cookies to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on wire racks.
- Assemble the Sandwich Cookies: Once cooled, spread about 1 teaspoon of dulce de leche onto the flat side of each solid cookie. Top them with the cut-out cookies and gently press down to sandwich the filling inside.
- Finish and Serve: Dust the tops of the assembled sandwich cookies with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy as a delightful treat or share during festive occasions.
Notes
- For extra flavor, toast the almonds before grinding to enhance their nuttiness.
- Store assembled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Alternatively, store cookies and dulce de leche separately and assemble just before serving for best texture.
- Dulce de leche can be purchased pre-made or prepared at home for a homemade touch.
