Description
Delight in these charming Almond Heart Cookies, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. These Linzer-style jam sandwich cookies feature a buttery almond-infused dough with a sweet raspberry or strawberry jam center, topped with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. Crispy on the edges and tender inside, they offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures that are both visually appealing and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely ground almonds
Filling and Topping
- ½ cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam (for filling)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring proper incorporation for a tender cookie base.
- Add Egg and Almond Extract: Mix in the large egg and almond extract until fully combined, imparting essential moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and finely ground almonds to evenly distribute the leavening and nutty flavor.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms, avoiding overmixing to ensure tenderness.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into discs, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up for easier rolling and better texture.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out full heart cookies. For half, use a smaller heart cutter to create a window in the center.
- Bake Cookies: Transfer the cut cookies to baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread a small amount of jam on the flat side of the full heart cookies, then gently press the cut-out heart cookies on top to create charming sandwich cookies.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the assembled cookies with powdered sugar to add a beautiful finishing touch and extra sweetness.
Notes
- For a nut-free variation, omit the ground almonds and substitute with an equal amount of all-purpose flour.
- These cookies freeze well both before and after assembling, allowing for convenient make-ahead preparation.
- You can customize the flavor by using any jam of your choice, such as apricot, blueberry, or mixed berry.
