Absolutely! 🇭🇺 Hungarian Linzer Cookies (also known as Linzer Szelet or Linzer Tészta) are a classic treat — tender, buttery sandwich cookies made with ground nuts and filled with tart fruit jam. They’re especially popular around Christmas but beloved year-round.
🍪 Hungarian Linzer Cookies (Linzer Szelet)
🍽️ Makes: ~24 sandwich cookies
⏱️ Time: 90 minutes total (including chilling & baking)
🧂 Ingredients:
Dough:
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1 cup ground almonds or ground walnuts
-
1/2 tsp baking powder
-
1/4 tsp salt
-
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
-
2/3 cup powdered sugar
-
1 egg yolk
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
1 tsp lemon zest (optional, traditional)
Filling & Topping:
-
1/2–3/4 cup raspberry jam, apricot jam, or red currant jelly (traditional Hungarian flavor)
-
Powdered sugar for dusting
🧑🍳 Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
-
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, ground nuts, baking powder, and salt.
-
In another bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar until creamy (2–3 minutes).
-
Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla, and lemon zest (if using).
-
Gradually add dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
-
Divide into 2 disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat & Prepare:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Roll & Cut:
-
On a floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thick.
-
Cut out cookies using a round, scalloped, or shaped cutter (~2-inch).
-
Cut out a smaller shape (heart/star/circle) from the center of half the cookies for the tops.
-
Re-roll scraps as needed.
4. Bake:
-
Place cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden.
-
Let cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Assemble:
-
Dust the top (cut-out) cookies with powdered sugar.
-
Spread a small amount of jam on each bottom cookie.
-
Gently press a sugared top cookie onto each filled bottom to sandwich them.
✅ Tips:
-
For authentic Hungarian flair, use red currant or apricot lekvár (thick jam).
-
Let the cookies sit a few hours after assembling — they soften slightly and the flavors meld.
-
Store in an airtight container up to 5 days (or freeze unfilled cookies for later use).