As I wandered through the vibrant farmer’s market one sunny afternoon, the scent of fresh berries wafted through the air, instantly transporting me back to my childhood. I remembered my grandmother’s kitchen, where she would bake linzer cookies every holiday season. Each bite was a delightful balance of nutty sweetness and tangy fruit preserves. Inspired by those memories, I decided to recreate this beloved treat with a nutritious twist, incorporating almond flour and chia seeds for added health benefits. These Nutty Linzer Cookies are not only delicious but also filled with wholesome ingredients to satisfy both your sweet tooth and your body!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ½ cup powdered erythritol (or your preferred sweetener)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup berry chia seed jam (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, powdered erythritol, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients together until well mixed.
In another bowl, cream the softened butter with the erythritol until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough feels too crumbly, you can add a teaspoon of milk or water to help bind it together.
Once the dough is ready, divide it in half and form each half into a disc. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the flavors meld and makes rolling the dough easier.
After chilling, remove one disc from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, and then use a smaller cutter to create a window in the center of half of the cookies.
Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the second disc of dough. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, spread a generous layer of berry chia seed jam on the solid cookies, and gently sandwich them with the cut-out cookies.
Dust the tops of the sandwich cookies with a little extra powdered erythritol for a touch of sweetness and presentation.
These Nutty Linzer Cookies are a perfect blend of nostalgia and health—ideal for sharing with family and friends or enjoying as a treat for yourself. Each bite is a reminder that desserts can be both indulgent and nourishing. Enjoy!